by Astounding Articles

Created on: May 02, 2009

Ping Pong has evolved much over time. Just a mere one hundred years ago, people were still playing ping pong with a tattered net, peeling cigarette lid and Champagne Cork. They rarely played and those who did play were English. The world had not heard of the brilliance this sport possesses and no tournaments were ever arranged. This changed in the blink of an eye. As you can see, significant improvements have been made to the sport within the last century. However, the variations to the grip is the most phenomenal of these and can sometimes determine the winner from the losers.

Grips in ping pong are relatively similar to those in tennis. It is very enticing to hold your paddle in a position that is comfortable, but this will never help you to improve as a player. What is required is that you develop a strong, professional grip that allows you to rocket balls powerfully across the net in an accurate manner. There are two predominant grips used that, if done correctly, should offer many more victories to one's career.

Firstly, there is a grip commonly named 'the penhold grip.' As the name implies, this grip somewhat resembles holding a pen. To undertake the use of this grip, one must place his forefinger and thumb on the racket handle. Allow the other three fingers to loop the back of your paddle. Upon doing this, you'll be holding the paddle in a way you would to a pen. Pretty simple; but effective in play. It can allow you to attain an outstanding performance in matches, and can significantly increase your forehand consistency. However, on the other hand there is your backhand. When hitting your backhand with this grip, chances are you'll acquire a few losses the first few times. It is laborious to manoeuvre your hand in such a matter that a backhand can be performed, but practise can enforce this ability.

Secondly, the alternative and preferable grip is the shakehand grip. If you have never used this grip before, chances are that it may initially feel slightly awkward to you. To begin, comfortably clasp your racquet. Then form a V around the edge of it as though you are shaking hands with your paddle. Execute meagre force on the paddle but make sure you will never lose a grip of it. On the other hand, remember not to attach your hand to the paddle like a fly to a web. This could cause the muscles to exert tension, which is unnecessary and rather painful. Relax your muscles and play without difficulty. You may feel slight vibrations to your arm, depending on how hard you hit your shots. Remember, this is a good thing, but if you are starting to feel queasy in the arm, cease immediately in what you're doing. You don't want to writhe in pain at a hospital due to a table game.

The penhold grip and the shakehand grip can yield you earnings literally beyond the imaginable. The only thing standing in the way of you and that championship now is practise, concentration and dedication!

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