Penhold Twiddling Tutorial

A Plea to Single Winged Penholders

My first penhold blade was a Nittaku Japanese penhold. The comfort, feel and power of that blade was truely unmatched. I loved it. I also choose that blade because it what was what my brother played with. But as time passes, the game evolves and we evolve as we age.

This is my plea to all single sided penholders. Both J-peners and single sided C-peners alike... Learn the RPB. If you currently are a singled winged penholder, I'm convinced there is no other improvment you could make to your game than to transition from that traditional penhold backhand (TPB) to a reverse penhold backhand (RPB). The traditional penhold backhand always has and always will be a weakness in the game.

If you don't take my word for it, then perhaps short pip legend He Zhi Wen can convince you?

Be sure to watch from 1:41 - 2:08 in the video and have your closed captions turned on.

There are varying levels of which you can use the RPB. Perhaps it comes completely natural to you. Then you can play more like Wang Hao, who used it with every backhand. Or perhaps you grew up using the TPB and you simply like blocking with it? That's completely fine also. Penhold great Ma Lin used the TPB 80% of the time in his matches in blocking & counter hitting. However when there was a high ball to attack or loop, he used the RPB. Don't let players think all they have to do is keep hitting to your backhand over & over with no real repercussion. You have options.

What if I love the feel & style of Jpen?
That's completely understandable. I prefer the cork grip myself also. I would then encourage you to consider some type of hybrid Jpen that allows you to hit with the backside RPB.

Take a look at the Nittaku SOU for example? It's a two-sided Jpen that even allows one to twiddle. There is a version more rectangular like a Jpen or more round like a Cpen

Jpen:
http://www.tabletennis11.com/other_eng/nittaku-sou-mf-p-pen

Cpen:
http://www.tabletennis11.com/other_eng/nittaku-sou-mf-r-pen

Here's some video of it from one of my favorite youtube channels TacShow.

Short Pips. Then and Now

You want to refine your technique and/or learn from the best when it comes to short pip penhold play. There’s a problem though. When you search “Short Pips Penhold” on youtube, you are getting videos from the 90s or earlier.

You might not be aware of this but table tennis has changed a lot since that time. It’s almost a completely different sport. The ball has changed and that drastically alters how short pips are played and their usefulness.

In the 90s and before, they use to play with a 38mm celluloid ball. This ball was small, spiny and unbelievably fast. Speed killed. Just watch any Liu Guoliang, arguably the greatest penholder ever, and you will see what I mean as he stands up on the table and smashes opponents into submission.

Then after the 2000 Olympics the ball changed from 38mm to 40mm. The speed was less and spin became a premium. Short pip play started to die off. Fast forward to July of 2014 and the ITTF changed the ball again. This time from 40mm (technically 39. Something mm) to 40+ (so just over 40mm) plastic or poly balls. Not celluloid. Again this new ball is even slower and less spiny.

Short pips thrives on the speed play. When that is taken away, spin then becomes a premium and thus you have the style of play we have today.

Question: 

What’s the point of this history lesson?

Answer: 

Find relevant players from the 40+ Plastic ball era to emulate. You will not be able to do what they did back in the 80s.

Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy technique videos such as this from 2-time world champion Jiang Jialiang. His technique is sound and will always be a good reference point.

However, if you would like to see what type of approach you’d have to take into today’s game, check out this youtube playlist I created called “Short Pip Penholders. (40+ plastic ball era)”. I add to it all the time and these players should be a good frame of reference for you.

Watch the Playlist on Youtube

Why Penhold Pips and What's It About?

Welcome to my blog Penhold Pips. The title of the blog is self explanatory. This blog will feature & specialize in everything regarding table tennis penhold play featuring some combination of Pips-out play.

Why Penhold? And Why Pip Play?

If you've payed attention to the recent trend among pros on the ITTF tour, then you'll know with rule changes and style of play that shakehand duel inverted players dominate the top rankings. If you are an aspiring future professional? I would recommend you follow that style of which there are countless resources available to you online.

However, if you love penhold. If you're a tactician. If you get as much of a thrill in out-smarting and/or tricking your opponent as much as you do in blowing a powerful shot past them, then this blog  and play-style might be for you. If want to learn more about this style and how to play it you've come to the right place.

Will penhold duel inverted (ie - inverted on both sides) be featured here?

Most likely not. While I have experience in this area and most likely is the most viable way to play penhold in today's era, it simply doesn't interest me. In my opinion the style is too similar as duel inverted shakehand while not being quite as optimal. That being said, if you are looking for technique and are an inverted player, there still will be things here for you as many of the players this blog features will be playing inverted either on their forehand or backhand (RPB) side.

So you've said what this blog is not. What is it?

This blog is for those who want to learn the style of penhold pips play. That includes several possible combinations and play styles. Some are quite mainstream while others are more rare.

Such examples would be...

Short Pips / Inverted

Inverted / Long Pips

Short Pips / Long Pips

Furthermore, this blog will focus heavily on twiddling and the mind games and tactics that opens up.

Occasionally I will post my play and journey towards improvement as well as points I've discovered along the way. Additionally, I will post videos featuring some of my favorite twiddling penhold pip players as means of inspiration and coaching techniques.

Lets keep this great, interesting style alive and get an advantage while we're at it. You can bet almost assuredly your opponents will have to deal with a style they're not prepared for.