How to hold a ping pong paddle
Almost every player outside East Asia uses the shakehand grip — hold the handle the way you'd shake someone's hand, thumb and forefinger relaxed on either side of the blade. It's the grip to learn first regardless of which style you settle on later, because it's the fastest to teach both forehand and backhand strokes off the same hand position.
On this page
The shakehand grip, step by step
- Hold the handle as if you're shaking someone's hand — palm and fingers wrapped naturally around it, not gripped like a hammer.
- Rest your index finger along the bottom edge of the rubber on the backhand side, extended rather than curled around the handle.
- Place your thumb lightly against the rubber on the forehand side, just below where the blade meets the handle.
- Keep the remaining three fingers wrapped around the handle itself, firm enough that the paddle can't twist, loose enough that your wrist stays free.
- Check the angle: held naturally, the blade face should sit roughly vertical, neither rolled forward nor back.
The same grip serves both forehand and backhand strokes — you don't switch hand position between them, only the angle of the wrist and the direction of the swing changes. That's the main reason it's the default grip taught almost everywhere outside East Asia, and the one nearly every modern professional in Europe, the Americas and Oceania uses.
Penholder grip
The penholder grip holds the handle the way you'd hold a pen, with the thumb and index finger forming a ring around the top of the handle and the blade pointing down and away from the hand. It's the traditional grip in China, Japan and South Korea, and it produces an exceptionally fast, wristy forehand.
Its historical weakness was the backhand — with the classic Chinese penholder, players cover the backhand side by turning the same face of the blade and using a similar forehand-style motion, which takes real time to master. The reverse penholder backhand, developed more recently, uses the back face of the blade for a topspin backhand and has closed most of that gap at the top level.
Seemiller grip
The seemiller grip is a shakehand variant, named after American champion Danny Seemiller, held with the hand rotated further round the handle and the index finger curled across the blade rather than extended along its edge. It puts one edge of the blade toward the opponent throughout play, which is why seemiller players often use two different rubbers with distinct spin characteristics on the same racket face.
It's rare today and generally not the grip to start with — it trades away backhand reach for a stronger forehand block and a deceptive serve, a trade that mostly pays off for players who already have a well-developed game.
Comparing the three
| Grip | Best for | Main weakness |
|---|---|---|
| Shakehand | Balanced forehand and backhand, easiest to learn first | Slightly less wrist snap on the forehand than penholder |
| Penholder | Fast, aggressive forehand attack | Traditional style has a weaker backhand; reverse penholder addresses this |
| Seemiller | Strong forehand block, deceptive serves with dual rubbers | Limited backhand reach |
If you're picking up a paddle for the first time, start with shakehand. It's what most coaches teach by default, it's the grip almost every club and lesson assumes you're using, and switching away from it later is far easier than switching away from a grip you've built years of habit around.
Common mistakes
- Gripping too tightly — a death-grip on the handle stiffens the wrist and kills the snap that generates spin and pace. Hold it firmly enough not to drop it, no tighter.
- Index finger curled around the handle instead of extended along the rubber's edge — this weakens backhand control and is the single most common beginner fix a coach makes.
- Thumb pressed hard against the blade — a light touch is enough; pressing hard locks the wrist and flattens your forehand.
- Changing hand position between forehand and backhand — the shakehand grip is designed so you don't need to; regripping mid-rally costs you time you don't have.
- Copying a professional's exact finger placement without adjusting for hand size — grip is personal, and small hands especially may need the index finger placed slightly differently than a demonstration video shows.
A coach can correct grip faster in five minutes in person than any video can — it's one of the few things worth a single lesson even if you never take another.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best grip for a beginner?
Shakehand. It's the grip most clubs and coaches teach by default, it handles both forehand and backhand from the same hand position, and it's what nearly every modern player outside East Asia uses.
What's the difference between shakehand and penholder grips?
Shakehand holds the paddle like a handshake and uses the same grip for both sides. Penholder holds it like a pen, producing a very fast forehand but traditionally a weaker backhand, though the reverse penholder backhand has largely closed that gap.
How tight should I hold a ping pong paddle?
Firm enough that it can't twist in your hand, loose enough that your wrist stays free to snap. A death-grip is the most common beginner mistake and it flattens both spin and power.
What is the seemiller grip?
A shakehand variant, named after Danny Seemiller, with the hand rotated further round the handle and the index finger curled across the blade. It strengthens the forehand block but limits backhand reach, and it's rare among today's top players.
Should I switch grips depending on the shot?
No — the shakehand grip is designed so the same hand position covers forehand and backhand; only your wrist angle and swing change. Regripping mid-point costs you time you rarely have.
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