This is a question that many penhold players eventually start to ask:
“When I play RPB, should I be using my fingers to generate power? And how exactly should I use them?”
After more than 30 years of observing players, my answer is always the same:
Your fingers should not “force” power.
They should help you stabilize, guide, and support the stroke.
Many Players Misunderstand Finger Power
A common mistake I see is players trying to actively “push” the ball using their fingers.
At first, this may feel like it adds extra speed.
But in reality, it often leads to:
- Unstable racket angles
- Inconsistent contact points
- Excessive tension in the hand
- Loss of control during fast rallies
Fingers are extremely sensitive. When they are overused for force, they lose their ability to fine-tune the racket.
What Fingers Should Actually Do
In a good RPB stroke, fingers play a supporting role rather than a driving role.
They help you:
- Maintain a stable grip during impact
- Adjust subtle racket angles
- Keep the racket relaxed in transition
- Support natural wrist movement
Power should mainly come from the coordination of your forearm, body rotation, and timing.
Fingers are there to make that power clean and repeatable—not to create it alone.
Why So Many Players Struggle with Finger Control
From what I have seen, most instability in RPB does not come from a lack of strength.
It comes from excessive tension.
When players try too hard to control the ball with their fingers, the hand becomes rigid.
Once the hand becomes rigid, everything else becomes less predictable.
The stroke stops feeling natural and starts feeling forced.
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.
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- More structures are available for selection.
- The handle design has been updated to make it more comfortable
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Why I Developed the Su Style Tiger Claw
When designing the Su Style Tiger Claw, one of my goals was to make finger usage more intuitive.
Many penhold players told me the same thing over the years:
“My index finger hurts when I play RPB.”
This is not just a comfort issue—it directly affects technique.
If the finger is under pressure, the player unconsciously changes grip pressure during rallies.
That leads to inconsistency.
With the Tiger Claw, I focused heavily on reducing unnecessary pressure points, especially around the index finger area, so the hand can stay relaxed even during long training sessions.
When the Hand Is Relaxed, Technique Becomes Clear
Once the hand is no longer fighting discomfort, something interesting happens:
Players naturally stop overusing their fingers.
Instead of forcing power, they begin to let the stroke flow through the arm and body.
The fingers return to their proper role—fine adjustment rather than force generation.
Many players describe it as:
“I don’t need to think about my fingers anymore. The stroke just happens.”
My Personal View
After decades in this sport, I believe one simple truth:
The less your fingers interfere with the stroke, the more stable your RPB becomes.
Good RPB is not about strong fingers.
It is about relaxed coordination.
Final Thoughts
If you want to improve your RPB, don’t start by trying to “use your fingers harder.”
Start by asking a simpler question:
“Am I holding the racket in a way that allows my hand to stay relaxed?”
Because once relaxation is achieved, correct finger function often appears naturally on its own.
That is also one of the design ideas behind the Su Style Tiger Claw:
To help players stop fighting their grip—and start trusting their stroke.
—
Su Zhimin
Founder of SANWEI Sports
