Should I adjust my shakehand grip
Table Tennis Strokes and Technique
Last updated 9 years ago
Matt M Asked 9 years ago
Hi pingskills, love listening to the show via my podcast app, my question is about my shakehand grip, I hold my bat in the correct position for my backhand shots but when playing a forehand topspin or loop my index finger ends up half way up the bat which feels comfortable for me and helps me generate heavy spin however people have told me I am doing it wrong because it isn't the proper grip, when I try the normal grip for a forehand it feels very unnatural to me and I struggle to play basic shots. What should I do? Should I stay as I am or change it and hope it feels better over time? Thanks. Matt.
Alois Rosario Answered 9 years ago
Hi Matt,
I am glad that you are enjoying the show and great that you are listening to the podcast.
You should try to keep the finger down when playing. This will feel awkward for a while but you will get better use of your wrist with the finger lower.
It does feel like you have more control when you have your finger up but in the long run it will limit your stroke making ability.
Thoughts on this question
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Matt M Posted 9 years ago
Thanks for the fast response Alois, as soon as I have played my tournament this week and played my remaining few league matches I will work on this and try to start from basics until it hopefully feels natural, do you have any tips on helping this transition as sometimes I don't even realise I am doing it, someone had mentioned trying to use something to try and bind my finger to the bat somehow :/ thanks again from the other side of the world :p
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 9 years ago
No problems Matt.
One trick that I saw was putting a coin or small piece of cardboard under the end of your finger. When it falls you know you have moved your finger.
Matt M Posted 9 years ago
Thanks again Alois, I will most definitely give that a try, I look forward to catching up on today's podcast later in work, have a great day!