joe

I have been playing for about 4 months now and really love the game. In the
beginning I did not feel comfortable with shake hand style and decided to
try the penholder grip. Once I changed my grip I immediately felt more
comfortable, had more control, and improved my game dramatically.

Here's my problem, I *thought* I was using the penholder grip but I am
obviously not. I grip the racquet (blade down) between my index and middle
fingers and use the rest of my fingers to support the back of the blade.
Everybody I play comments on my unorthodox grip but say I play exceptionally
well for how long I've been playing and I shouldn't change if I am
comfortable.

Is this a grip that anyone else uses, or has ever heard of?
Is this something that will keep me from advancing to a higher level of play
down the road?

Any help would be appreciated. I really love the game and I don't mind
starting over with a shake hand grip if it means it will help my game
progress in the future.

Thanks,
Joe.

cool_night1

I think that changing to the traditional penhold grip will depend on
what you want to acheive in the game.

As you noted, there are two major grips in our game with a billion
subtle variations. There are also quite a few viable alternative grips
(also with variations) that have also acheived success such as the
American (Seemiller) grip and the so called V-grip.

If you were to change yor grip to a traditional chinese/japanese
penhold grip, you could open up the ability for many coaches to help
you with better efficiency. You would open up the ability to emulate
better players (both pros and other amatuers) by copying tactics,
strokes, and techniques.

I'd say the biggest disadvantage of a "novel" grip would be that
you'll need to blaze your own trail with technique, tactics and form.
It would be difficult for us to tell what advantages or weaknesses
your particular grip would have in the long run - which, of course can
be bad or good.

4 months into the game is not long. This is a lifetime game, and the
large majority of us are amatueur players who are in it for fun. Play
how you like, with what you like.

I personally, played chinese penhold from childhood to about age 17.
Then I went to the reverse penhold variant for about 2 years back in
the late 80's, and then figured if I were going to play with both
sides of the racket, why not go shakehand which I have been playing
for 13-14 years now. Just becuase you have played 4 months, 1 year, 10
years or 30 years, doesn't mean you can't switch grips.

Alex
ajchien

nuclearnoise

Hello,

Actually, I also started with shakehead type of style. After I
tried the penhold style I no longer had the desire and my game
improved also. I have no interest in switching back, because it feels
very uncomfortable.

How do your fingers support the back of the racket? Do your three
finger elongate across the racket? Meaning, do you extend those three
fingers to the top of the rackets? If so, then I don't think it's
really a problem. Though I am not a professional. I've seen many good
players (not professionals) who extend the rest three fingers all the
way across the racket. I really can't see how this will affect your
game. I don't think it will. I am almost certain. My three fingers
behind the racket are slighty extended across the racket. Sometimes
when I fully extend the fingers (I believe this is your style) I get
better smash shots, but it's not a very comfortable position to hold
for too long.

romtti

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