This is a problem I hear very often from penhold players:
“Mr. Su, my RPB keeps going into the net. I feel like I’m brushing correctly, but the ball just doesn’t clear the net.”
After observing players for many years, I found that this issue is rarely caused by one single technical mistake.
More often, it starts from something much more basic:
How comfortable your hand feels when holding the racket.
Many Players Overlook the Role of Comfort
When a ball consistently goes into the net, players usually think about:
- Stroke angle
- Timing
- Spin generation
- Swing path
But very few players ask:
“Can I actually hold the racket in a relaxed and stable way throughout the rally?”
If the grip feels even slightly uncomfortable, the body naturally compensates.
That compensation often leads to a slightly closed racket angle—and that is one of the most common reasons the ball goes into the net.
Traditional Penhold Handles Can Feel “Sharp” Under Pressure
With many traditional CS (Chinese penhold) handles, I have seen players develop pressure points on the hand during long training sessions.
Some players describe it as:
- The handle feels “too sharp”
- The index finger feels sore
- The grip becomes unstable after long rallies
When this happens, players unconsciously change how they hold the racket.
Even a small change in grip pressure can slightly close the racket face.
And in RPB, that small change is enough to send the ball into the net.
Why I Paid Attention to Contact Surfaces in Design
Over the years, I became very interested in one simple idea:
If the hand is more comfortable, the stroke becomes more repeatable.
That is why, in the Su Style Tiger Claw design, I focused heavily on improving contact stability between the hand and the handle.
The goal was not to force a technique change, but to make the natural grip easier to maintain.
Better Support for the Palm and Index Finger
One key improvement is the support area for the palm (thenar region) and the index finger.
When these contact points are more stable:
- The racket sits more securely in the hand
- The player reduces unnecessary squeezing
- Grip pressure becomes more consistent during rallies
- Racket angle is easier to reproduce
In many cases, once the hand stops “fighting” the handle, the stroke becomes naturally more stable.
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
- Free Shipping Worldwide!
Why RPB Goes Into the Net Less With Better Grip Stability
When the grip is unstable, players often unconsciously:
- Close the racket face too much
- Reduce swing amplitude
- Rush the brushing motion
- Lose contact quality
All of these increase the chance of the ball going into the net.
When the grip becomes more stable and comfortable, the opposite happens:
- The racket angle stays more consistent
- The swing becomes more relaxed
- Contact becomes cleaner
- The ball trajectory becomes more reliable
My Experience After Many Years
After decades of working with penhold players, I have come to a simple conclusion:
Most “technical errors” in RPB are actually stability problems.
And stability often begins with comfort in the hand.
Final Thoughts
If your RPB keeps going into the net, don’t immediately think you need a completely new technique.
First, ask yourself a simpler question:
“Can I hold my racket comfortably and consistently for a long time without adjusting my grip?”
Because when the grip becomes stable, the stroke naturally becomes more stable as well.
That is also one of the core ideas behind the Su Style Tiger Claw:
To give the hand a more secure, comfortable platform—so players can focus on the ball instead of fighting the handle.
—
Su Zhimin
Founder of SANWEI Sports
