Table tennis, also known as ping pong, is a fast-moving and highly skilled game. It is often said that table tennis is easy to pick up but difficult to master. It is a sport where strength and power are not determining factors. Instead, hand-eye coordination and skill define your ping pong ability. To play table tennis well, you must practice on a regular basis and develop the ability to play a range of different shots.
Step 1
Choose the paddle that is best for you. Size and weight of paddles can differ, so test out a range of paddles before choosing one to use on a regular basis. The shake-hands grip is common in table tennis. In this grip, you hold the paddle handle in the palm of your hand so that the start of the paddle head fits snugly between your thumb and pointer finger. Grip your paddle firmly but not too tightly; the paddle should form an extension of your hand and forearm.
Step 2
Develop your stance and correct footwork. In table tennis, you have to move quickly from side to side to reach the ball and launch effective shots back at your opponent. According to the Mega Spin website, you should lean slightly forward in your stance, with your feet shoulder width apart. Your knees should be slightly bent, with your weight on the balls of your feet so that you can change direction quickly.
Step 3
Refine your game by constantly practicing a range of table tennis shots. According to Mega Spin, the four basic strokes are the drive, the push, the block and the smash. The drive is a shot that keeps the ball low and puts topspin on the ball. The push is a shot that puts slight backspin on the ball; you use it to return shots that are low and close to your body. The block uses the power of your opponent by redirecting a forceful shot back toward him over the net. The smash is a big point-winning stroke; you smash a ball that is high and to the side over the net and past your opponent. Learn to execute all these strokes with your forehand or backhand. Practice with a partner, or fold the table up so one half acts as a wall. Perform 30 to 50 repetitions of each shot during a practice session.
Step 4
Work on your serve to give you a powerful offensive weapon to start points. Learn to hit your serve with topspin and backspin, and to land your serve on different parts of the table so you keep your opponent on her back foot throughout a match. Develop the ability to serve with both your forehand and backhand to further put your opponent off balance.
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