This is probably one of the questions I have spent the most time thinking about over the past 30 years.
Many penhold players can perform an RPB.
But very few can use it to win points consistently.
There is a big difference.
An RPB that simply puts the ball back on the table is a defensive tool.
An RPB that creates pressure and wins rallies is an attacking weapon.
So, how do you make that transition?
First, Accept That There Are No Shortcuts
I always tell players the same thing:
If you want your RPB to become a scoring shot, you have to practice it.
There is no blade, no rubber, and no secret technique that can replace quality training.
The players with the strongest RPB didn’t develop it in a few weeks. They built it through thousands of repetitions until the movement became automatic.
Consistency always comes before power.
Confidence Comes Before Aggression
One mistake I see in many club players is trying to attack too early.
Before they can reliably land ten backhands in a row, they are already trying to hit winners.
That usually ends with frustration.
A scoring RPB is not created by swinging harder.
It is created by trusting that your next shot will land exactly where you expect.
Only then can you begin to increase speed and spin.
Sanwei Su Style Tiger Claw
- 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.
- The handle design has been updated to make it more comfortable
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Comfort Is Often the Missing Piece
Over the years, I noticed that many penhold players never became truly confident with RPB because they never felt completely comfortable holding the racket.
Some complained about finger pain.
Others constantly adjusted their grip between forehand and backhand.
Every small adjustment made it harder to repeat the same stroke.
Eventually, they stopped trusting their backhand.
Once confidence disappears, the RPB becomes a shot used only in emergencies instead of an attacking option.
Why I Designed the Su Style Tiger Claw
When I began developing the Su Style Tiger Claw, my goal was not simply to create another penhold blade.
I wanted to create a blade specifically for the way modern penhold players actually play.
For more than 30 years, I kept refining the handle based on one question:
“How can I make RPB feel more natural?”
One of the biggest improvements was comfort.
I paid particular attention to reducing pressure on the index finger, because finger discomfort is something I had seen affecting players for decades.
When the hand stays comfortable, players naturally hold the racket more consistently during long training sessions.
That consistency becomes the foundation for a stable RPB.
Ready for RPB from the Moment You Pick It Up
Another important difference is the handle geometry.
With a traditional Chinese Penhold blade, many players rotate the racket around the handle axis when preparing for RPB.
It is a movement that experienced players learn over time.
With the Su Style Tiger Claw, I wanted to reduce that extra adjustment.
The handle naturally places the hand in a position that is already very close to an RPB-ready grip.
Many players tell me that when they first hold the Tiger Claw, it already feels like they are prepared for a backhand attack.
Instead of spending time adjusting the grip, they can focus on reading the ball and executing the stroke.
Turning RPB into a Scoring Weapon
In my experience, an effective RPB is built on four elements:
- Practice until the stroke becomes automatic.
- Stay relaxed instead of forcing power.
- Use equipment that feels comfortable and repeatable.
- Build confidence before chasing speed.
When these four elements come together, your RPB gradually changes from a recovery shot into a genuine attacking weapon.
Final Thoughts
After spending more than three decades studying penhold techniques, I have learned that great RPB players are not simply the ones with the fastest backhands.
They are the ones who trust their backhand enough to use it at the most important moments.
That was the philosophy behind the Su Style Tiger Claw.
Not to replace practice.
But to remove unnecessary obstacles, so players can spend their energy improving their game instead of fighting their equipment.
Because once the racket feels natural in your hand, the backhand starts to become something you can rely on—not just something you hope will work.
—
Su Zhimin
Founder of SANWEI Sports
