Table tennis, also known as ping-pong, is one of the most widely played sports in the world. The International Table Tennis Federation sanctions professional-level tournaments around the world, with almost $2.5 million in prize money available in 2010.
Step 1
Return to ready position in the center of the table after every stroke. According to Carl Danner of the United States Table Tennis Association, ready position gives you better mobility, balance and range for returning shots. Some players don't return to ready position because of a lack of discipline or poor coordination of the feet. Train yourself to do it and you'll lessen your chances of missing a return shot because you're off balance or over-extended.
Step 2
Aim your shots toward your opponent's playing elbow and at wide angles. Eric Owens, a U.S. Men's Singles Champion, suggests that playing to your opponent's elbow will eventually open up wide-angle shots. The wider the angle of your shot, the more your opponent has to move to get to it. And when your opponent is forced to move, the middle of the table opens up. By switching from wide angle to down the middle shots, you'll make your opponent work harder and interrupt his rhythm.
Step 3
Move your--not your paddle--toward the ball. Keep the paddle in a light, loose, relaxed grip. Instead of extending your arm to reach a ball, move your body. Get your feet in position, then rotate your upper body to place the paddle in the ball's path. According to table tennis coach Jim Langley, you'll have better control and you're less likely to hit the ball too hard, sending it out of bounds.
Step 4
Ease up on your short game. Danner warns players against going for a "winner" every time a short ball pops over the net. Players who try too hard for the easy point often overplay their strokes and never learn other ways to return this type of ball. Instead, move in close to the ball. Use a short stroke to give the ball a gentle hit and aim for your opponent's corner. Don't worry about speed--this drill is about accuracy and versatility.
Step 5
Simplify your body movements. According to coach Langley, beginning players often make unnecessary movements, from crazy strokes to overcomplicated footwork. Don't use a different stroke for every shot. You're far better off practicing the same types of shots over and over again until the movement is perfectly smooth instead of off-the-cuff and jerky. Simple movements, well executed, win the match.
Step 6
Keep your elbow in one place while hitting a backhand. If you're tired of watching your backhands fly off the table, ask yourself: what is your elbow doing during the shot? According to Danner, your forearm should make the stroke while your elbow functions like a door hinge. If you move your elbow, you risk misdirecting the shot. Concentrate on forearm speed and wrist rotation for a successful backhand shot. Avoid elbow movement and wrist snapping to keep the shot on target.
Things You'll Need
- Table tennis court
- Paddle
- Ball
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