This is a very common question I hear from penhold players:
“Mr. Su, why does my forehand blocking always go too high? I feel like I’m doing it correctly, but the ball keeps floating long or rising too much.”
After observing players for many years, I have found that this problem is rarely just about swing technique.
Very often, it starts from something more fundamental:
How your hand feels when holding the racket.
A Small Grip Issue Can Change Everything
When a forehand block goes too high, most players immediately think about:
- Racket angle
- Timing of contact
- Incoming spin
- Swing path
But in reality, even a very small change in grip stability can alter the racket face at impact.
If the hand is not fully comfortable, the body will unconsciously adjust the grip during fast rallies.
And that tiny adjustment is enough to slightly open the racket face—sending the ball higher than expected.
The Hidden Problem: Finger Discomfort
One issue I have seen repeatedly in traditional CS (Chinese penhold) handles is discomfort on the index finger.
Many players describe it as:
- The finger feels “pressed” or “cut”
- The contact point feels sharp during long training
- The grip becomes unstable after repeated blocking
When this happens, players naturally avoid pressure on that area.
Without realizing it, they change how they hold the racket.
And once the grip changes, even slightly, blocking consistency is affected.
Why a Small Change in Grip Leads to a High Ball
Forehand blocking is extremely sensitive.
Unlike looping, it does not have a large swing to “correct” errors.
It relies on a stable racket face at the moment of contact.
So when the grip becomes slightly unstable:
- The racket face opens a little
- The contact becomes less firm
- The ball loses downward control
- The trajectory becomes higher
That is why many players feel confused—they think they are doing the same motion, but the result changes.
Sanwei Su Style Eagle Beak
- ITTF Approved: Fully compliant with ITTF regulations, the Sanwei Su Style Racket is certified for use in any level of table tennis competition, ensuring you stay competitive and compliant with official standards.
- Ultimate Pen-Holding Solution: Specifically engineered for pen-hold players, the Su Style Racket offers unmatched comfort and control, addressing the unique needs of pen-hold enthusiasts.
- Ergonomic Swing Design: Utilizing ergonomic principles, the traditional CS handle is transformed to align the racket face parallel to the palm. This design reduces strain and enhances the natural swing motion, providing better control and precision.
- More structures are available for selection.
- Better suited to a blocking style of play
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Why I Paid Attention to Handle Contact Design
Over the years, I began to focus more and more on something simple:
If the hand feels uncomfortable, technique becomes inconsistent.
This is especially true in fast table tennis close to the table, where there is no time to readjust your grip.
Why I Designed the Su Style Eagle Beak
The Su Style Eagle Beak was developed with one goal in mind:
To make forehand blocking feel more stable and natural in the hand.
One key feature is the improved contact support for the palm and index finger area.
Instead of concentrating pressure on a small, sharp point, the handle distributes contact more evenly.
This allows:
- A more relaxed grip during rallies
- Less unconscious grip adjustment
- A more stable racket angle at impact
- Better repeatability in blocking situations
More Comfort, More Natural Control
When the index finger is no longer irritated or over-pressed, players tend to stop “protecting” it subconsciously.
This leads to a more natural grip position.
And when the grip becomes natural:
- The racket face becomes more consistent
- Blocking height becomes easier to control
- The ball trajectory becomes more stable
A Racket That Supports Both Blocking and RPB
Another advantage of this design is versatility.
While it is optimized for forehand blocking stability, it also supports RPB play.
For modern penhold players, this balance is important—because they need both close-table control and backhand attack ability.
Final Thoughts
If your forehand block keeps going too high, don’t immediately assume your technique is wrong.
Start with a simpler question:
“Is my grip stable and comfortable enough for me to repeat the same motion under pressure?”
Because in my experience, unstable blocking often comes from unstable contact between hand and handle.
That is also the core idea behind the Su Style Eagle Beak:
A handle that reduces discomfort—so the hand can stay quiet, and the stroke can stay stable.
—
Su Zhimin
Founder of SANWEI Sports
