Penhold

Penhold refers to a family of table tennis grip styles in which the racket is held similarly to how one would hold a pen. The playing surface faces to the side of the racket holder, allowing the wrist to rotate freely. This grip supports a compact, close-to-the-table style that emphasizes quick, precise strokes and strong touch.

The traditional Chinese penhold grip is characterized by gripping the blade between the thumb and index finger, with the remaining fingers curled around the handle. The forehand stroke is performed with pronounced wrist action, enabling fast, close-to-the-table loops and blocks. The backhand, using the same face of the blade, is typically executed with rotation of the wrist and forearm rather than a separate backhand blade contact.

A notable development within penhold play is the reverse penhold backhand (RPB). RPB uses the opposite side of the blade to generate backhand topspins and other backhand actions, expanding the range of backhand attack options and reducing reliance on a traditional penhold backhand.

Variants and regional practices include the traditional Chinese penhold and the reverse penhold backhand variant, with related styles occasionally referred to as Korean or Japanese penhold in casual usage. In contemporary competition, penhold continues to be practiced primarily in East Asia and among players who favor a fast, short game and aggressive serves, though shakehand grips have become more common worldwide.

Pros of penhold include strong forehand speed, excellent touch, and early table pressure. Cons can include a relatively weaker traditional backhand and a steeper learning curve for mastering reverse backhand techniques. Overall, penhold remains a distinct, viable approach in modern table tennis, offering a different tactical toolkit compared with shakehand grips.