| The sport of table tennis or ping pong, is a | | | | · Wrap your thumb and index finger |
| fun indoor sport for 2 or 4 people. On a | | | | around the base of the rubber paddle (where |
| casual level, families might have a ping pong | | | | the handle meets the paddle part). |
| table in their family rec room or basement, | | | | |
| much like a pool or foosball table; but few | | | | · Your middle, ring, and pinky fingers |
| know how to play table tennis or ping pong to | | | | should be folded behind the paddle and out of |
| achieve the best results. Below, we've | | | | the way. |
| outlined the basic grips (ways to hold the | | | | |
| table tennis paddle) of table tennis, to help | | | | · The tips of your index finger and |
| you maximize your performance, both | | | | thumb should be touching. |
| recreationally and professionally. | | | | |
| | | | · The grip should look as if you were |
| The way that you hold your tennis table | | | | holding a pen. |
| paddle can dramatically alter your | | | | |
| performance based on what type of game you | | | | How to use the Seemiller Grip: |
| are seeking to play (whether professional or | | | | |
| recreational), what strokes you will be | | | | · Grip the paddle's handle with all |
| predominantly using, and the like. There are | | | | fingers, palm facing you. |
| three basic ways to hold or grip your table | | | | |
| tennis or ping pong paddle: the shakehands, | | | | · Extend index finger straight out |
| penhold, and seemiller grips. The shakehands | | | | along the base of the rubber part of the |
| grip is the most commonly used, both in | | | | paddle (the actual paddle part) on one side |
| family rec rooms and professional matches, as | | | | of the paddle. |
| it allows for strong mobility in both | | | | |
| forehand and backhand strokes. The penhold | | | | · Slightly wrap or hook your index |
| grip is a more antiquated grip for table | | | | finger around the edge of the paddle. |
| tennis players, used more often by | | | | |
| professional players seeking to surprise | | | | · Close thumb around the other side of |
| their opponent with a different grip. This | | | | the paddle (from your index finger), also |
| grip affords the table tennis player a much | | | | along the base. Your thumb should meet the |
| stronger forehand predominant stroke, and | | | | three remaining fingers wrapped around the |
| disables the ease of a backhand because of | | | | handle of the paddle. |
| grip position. Lastly, the seemiller grip was | | | | |
| developed by 5 time US Table Tennis champion, | | | | · Make sure thumb points forward |
| Dan Seemiller. This grip is hardly ever used | | | | towards the game. |
| as it is considered disruptive to form, as it | | | | |
| employs only one side of the paddle for both | | | | · Make sure your extended arm and |
| forehand and backhand strokes. It is a slight | | | | paddle edge form a straight line. It should |
| variation from the shakehands grip, allowing | | | | look like you are shaking hands at a 45 |
| for strong control of both forehand and | | | | degree angle. |
| backhand strokes. | | | | |
| | | | Things to keep in mind: |
| How to use the Shakehands Grip: | | | | |
| | | | · Keep your grip loose. |
| · Grip the paddle's handle with all | | | | |
| fingers, palm facing you. | | | | · Each grip preference requires a |
| | | | different type of paddle. Play around with |
| · Extend index finger straight out | | | | the different grips and see what feels most |
| along the base of the rubber part of the | | | | comfortable for you, before you opt for a |
| paddle (the actual paddle part) on one side | | | | particular paddle. |
| of the paddle. | | | | |
| | | | · Choose to play a game or opponent |
| · Close thumb around the other side of | | | | that matches the type of grip and stroke that |
| the paddle (from your index finger), also | | | | you are best at. For example: use a |
| along the base. Your thumb should meet the | | | | shakehands grip for a general game that will |
| three remaining fingers wrapped around the | | | | require forehand and backhand. Use a |
| handle of the paddle. | | | | Seemiller grip for a professional game that |
| | | | requires a lot of blocking. |
| · Make sure your extended arm and | | | | |
| paddle edge form a straight line. It should | | | | · If your grip feels uncomfortable, |
| look like you are shaking hands at a 45 | | | | make sure your form is correct. |
| degree angle. | | | | |
| | | | · Best thing to do if you have any |
| How to use the Penhold Grip: | | | | questions or problems, is to ask a certified |
| | | | table tennis coach or locate a supplier. |