Up Your Table Tennis Game: Tips From the Pros
You've seen those top table tennis players on TV whacking that little white ball back and forth at lightning speed and thought, man, I want to be able to play like that! Well, guess what? You can up your ping pong game with the right tips and practice. We talked to some pro players and coaches to get their best advice for casual players who want to improve their table tennis skills. Whether you mostly play at family picnics or in your friend's basement, these basic techniques and drills from the experts will have you slamming and spinning the ball like a future Olympian in no time. Read on to learn how to hold the paddle, move your feet, smash like a champ, and more with our beginner’s guide to upping your ping pong prowess from the comfort of your garage.
Choose the Right Table Tennis Equipment
To improve your table tennis game, you need the proper
equipment. Here are some tips for choosing gear that will up your skills:
The right paddle makes all the difference. For beginners, a
basic paddle with a smooth rubber surface works well. As your skills improve,
upgrade to a paddle with textured “pimpled” rubber that provides more spin and
control. Look for paddles that are approved for competition by the ITTF, the
International Table Tennis Federation. These provide consistent performance and
durability.
Get a pack of quality table tennis balls. Seamless plastic
balls with a matte finish are best for recreational play. For competition, use
40mm 3-star orange balls which are the official size and color. Higher-quality
balls bounce more consistently, allowing you to practice precision.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Light, breathable
clothing that doesn’t restrict your movement is ideal. Rubber-soled shoes
provide traction so you can move quickly without slipping.
Consider other accessories like sweatbands for your wrist
and headband. These help wipe away perspiration so it doesn’t drip into your
eyes during intense rallies. You can also get specialized table tennis gloves
that provide grip and wrist support.
A table tennis robot can be useful for solo practice. These
automated ball launchers can deliver balls at varying speeds, spins, and
trajectories so you can groove your skills. Look for a model with adjustable
frequency, spin, and placement settings.
With the right gear and a lot of practice, you'll be
executing pro-level loops, chops, and smashes in no time. But ultimately, your
skills and technique matter most, so keep working to improve your game. The
equipment just helps get you there faster.
Master the Basic Strokes: Forehand, Backhand, Serve
To up your table tennis game, start with the fundamentals -
the basic strokes. Focus on control and consistency, then add power and spin.
The Forehand
The forehand is your bread and butter. Stand sideways to the
table, hold the paddle in your dominant hand, bend your knees, and keep your
wrist firm. As the ball comes toward you, step forward with your opposite foot
and swing through the ball with a smooth stroke, following through across your
body. Aim for the middle of the other side. Start with just getting it on the
table, then work on direction and spin.
The Backhand
The backhand takes more practice. Stand facing the sideline,
and hold the paddle in both hands. Bend forward at the waist with your knees
bent and swing through the ball with your dominant hand, following through
across your body. Start with short strokes, focusing on control and aiming at
the middle of the other side. As you improve, increase your reach and add
topspin.
The Serve
The serve starts each point, so master a consistent stroke.
Stand behind the end line, hold the paddle in your dominant hand, the ball in
your non-dominant hand. Toss the ball upward about 6 inches, then swing through
and make contact at the peak of the toss, following through over your shoulder.
Aim for the corners to make it hard to return. Start with a simple forehand
serve, then learn backspin and sidespin to keep your opponent guessing.
Practice these basic techniques regularly and be patient
with yourself. Even the pros were beginners once. Keep at it and your skills
will improve over time through diligent repetition and muscle memory. Before
you know it, you'll be hitting forehands, backhands, and serves with the best
of them!
Improve Your Footwork and Positioning
Footwork and positioning are key to improving your table
tennis game. Work on moving efficiently and purposefully around the table.
Light on your feet, stay on the balls of your feet. Take
small steps to position yourself, rather than large lunges.
Focus on anticipation. Watch your opponent and the ball
closely. Try to anticipate where the ball is going to be hit next. Move as the
ball is traveling to your opponent, not after they've already hit it. This will
allow you to get into the proper position faster.
Consider the "ready position." Stand sideways to
the table with one foot slightly in front of the other, knees bent, and holding
the paddle in front of you.
Think about positioning in terms of angles and openings on
the table. Try to get your opponent out of position by hitting the ball into
the openings, forcing them to scramble. When returning the ball, aim for angles
and spots that make it difficult for your opponent to hit an effective return
shot.
Work the table by hitting the ball into different spots
during a rally. Don't just hit it back and forth in the same location. Move
your opponent around by using angles and varying the speed, spin and location
of your shots. This can create opportunities to win the point.
With practice, footwork and positioning can become second
nature. Focus on efficient movement, anticipation, and using angles and shot
placement to gain control of the point. Keep at it and your skills will develop
over time.
Drills and Exercises to Sharpen Your Skills
To improve your table tennis skills, incorporate some of
these drills and exercises into your practice routine.
Forehand and backhand drive practice
Set up targets, like empty cans or plastic bottles, at
different spots on your side of the table. Hit forehands and backhands, aiming
for the targets. Start with bigger targets, then make them smaller as your
accuracy improves. This helps groove your strokes and strengthens your shots.
Serve practice
Work on placing your serves to different spots on the table
with different spins. Aim for the corners, then try hitting the middle of each
side. Practice fast serves, then slow looping serves. Mix up the spin - try
sidespin, topspin and backspin. Serve practice will make your serves more
precise and trickier for your opponent to return.
Footwork drills
.webp)
Set up cones or other markers in different spots around your
side of the table. Shuffle between the cones, practicing moving sideways,
forward and backward. Add in forehand or backhand strokes as you move between
cones. Footwork is key to good positioning and being able to return fast shots,
so practice it regularly.
Reaction drills
Have a partner stand on the other side of the table and hit
balls to different spots on your side at random. React quickly to return each
shot. Start with slower shots, then build up speed. This helps improve your
reflexes and ability to get into position fast.
Lob and loop practice
Work on hitting lobs, looping topspins and drop shots. Set
up targets at the back of the table and in the net area. Loop and lob the ball
to land in the targets. This helps you gain control and accuracy on higher,
spinnier shots that can trick your opponent.
With regular practice of drills like these, your skills -
from footwork to shot accuracy to reflexes - will improve dramatically.
Table Tennis Tips and Strategies From the Pros
To improve your table tennis game, take some tips from the
pros:
Focus on your technique
Having solid fundamentals is key. Work on your grip, stance,
and stroke technique. Hold the paddle loosely and naturally, stand sideways to
the table with knees bent, and brush the ball with a smooth stroke. Practice
your forehand, backhand, and serve repeatedly.
Develop spin
• Add topspin
to your forehand and backhand shots by brushing up on the ball.
• Apply
sidespin by hitting the ball off-center.
• Add
backspin to your serve by hitting under the ball. This will force your opponent
to pop the ball up, allowing you to smash it.
Vary your shots
Don't be predictable. Mix up the speed, spin, height, and
placement of your shots.
• Alternate
between fast and slow shots. This will disrupt your opponent's timing.
• Aim for
different parts of the table. Hit shots to the corners, down the lines, and at
various depths.
• Use lobs,
drop shots, and smashes in addition to your drives and loops. Lobs go high over
your opponent, drop shots just over the net, and smashes are fast downward
shots.
Improve your footwork
Light, quick feet will allow you to get into position faster
and set up your shots better. Take small, controlled steps instead of large
lunges. Work on moving forward and backward, as well as side to side.
Stay focused
Concentrate on reading your opponent's shots and reacting
quickly. Remain focused on your strategy and the current point. Don't get
distracted by the score or what's happened previously in the match. Staying
focused and in the zone will give you a competitive edge.
With practice, these tips from the pros can elevate your
table tennis skills to the next level. Stay dedicated and keep at it!
