Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Getting Started
• Part 2 of 3: Developing Your Technique
• Part 3 of 3: Making the Game Better and Better
• Tips
• Warnings

Table tennis is sometimes undeservedly criticized. For some, it's just a way to kill 5 minutes playing in your basement. For others, it is a sport in which the best athletes make millions. If you want your passion to grow into a serious skill, grab your racket and let's get started.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Getting Started

1. 1 Get a good racket. You want a racket with a good head that is partially or completely covered in bumps. If you are a beginner, choose a beginner's racket - they are made so that when hitting non-catching serves, knock down the speed of the ball and reduce its rotation. If you're ready for something a little more professional, order a medium-hard racket that's easy to play and helps you focus on your technique.
   • If you use the European grip, "handshake", order a racket with a handle that fits that grip. There is also the Asian grip, "how we hold the handle." The handle for such a grip is made shorter.
   • When choosing your first racket, don't go for the one advertised as the thinnest or most powerful and versatile, even though it may be. Know your level of play. If you don't know, you will run into inconveniences when you start playing.
2. 2 Start playing from the starting position. Your body should be balanced, relaxed and ready to move in any direction. In fact, after each ball hitting, you need to return to the starting position. Make sure the hand you will be playing is ready to hit the ball.
   • If you are better at hitting with a forehand, move a little to the left and vice versa if you have a strong backhand.
   • If you are right-handed, stand mostly on the left, with your right leg slightly extended forward.Well, if you are left-handed, become mostly to the right with your left leg extended slightly forward.
3. 3 Get ready to move quickly. The ball can fly anywhere, depending on where it was hit and how it was spun. In the starting position, you will have more physical speed to initially react to the blow. Take advantage of this! It is always difficult to deal with a fast opponent.
   • Keep fit, but do it wisely. Before playing, do a jog or stretching exercise to warm up your body and your reflexes.
4. 4 Aim in the corners. If you are trying to get the ball to land right in the corner, it will be nearly impossible to hit even for experienced players. The sides of the tennis table also count. However, if you are not experienced enough to get right into the corner, don't risk it. You will lose a point if the ball does not hit the table.
   • Combined with speed, this serve can be a strategic move. The first time you serve a strong serve to the far corner, and with the second hit, you slowly send the ball straight down the center of the net at the desired height. Corner shots are especially tricky when your opponent doesn't know what to expect.
5. 5 Hit the ball low, just over the net. Remember this rule: less space means less angle. The lower you hit the ball, the more difficult it is for your opponent to hit the ball at a steep angle. It will also be difficult for the opponent to apply full force to the blow.
   • However, there is an exception to this rule: candles. In this case, hit the ball very high above the net and aim at the very edge of the table, forcing your opponent to miss.
6. 6 Know what you are earning fouls for. There are many fouls and things for which points are awarded to the opposing team. For example, if a ball hits your field twice before flying over the net, this is a loss of points. Also, with regard to service, it is forbidden to serve the ball above 10 cm above the hand, otherwise it is a foul.
   • Not sure what the fouls are for? Then, in any case, you will lose - it's like in billiards, when you don't know that you can't pocket 8 balls. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the basic rules of table tennis before entering any serious competition.

Part 2 of 3: Developing Your Technique

1. 1 Twirl or spin the ball. Twisted serves are tricky, but when you learn them, they can save your game. Here are a few things to consider:
   • Watch the angle at which your opponent is holding the racket. If your opponent twists the racket from a small angle to a large one, you can prepare for a top spin hit. If from a large angle to a small one, this is a blow with a twist (bottom twist). If the racket is twisted from left to right, this is a right side serve with a side spin, if from right to left, it is a left side serve with a spin.
   • You can neutralize the twist of the ball by turning it at the right angle. If you need to hit a top spin, tilt the racket down and hit the ball below the center of the racket. If you are faced with a blow with a bottom twist, turn the racket up and hit with the part of the racket that is below the center. If there is a right twist serve, swing the racket to the right and hit the ball to the left. If serving from the left, swing the rocket to the left and hit the ball to the right.
   • Also work out the side feeds. You can use them to limit your opponent's options when you need to hit the ball. Experiment with left, right, center, and bottom curls. Often the ball will fly not at all where the opponent expects.
2. 2 Engage your entire body, especially when hitting with the forehand. Whole body use is what gives the force to the serve - the force is not only taken from the arm and hand. You also need speed and agility in your hip and shoulder movements.
   • To swing backward, swing your hips and shoulders backward to hit with a forehand. Then turn forward and finish the swing. This shift in body weight will give your swing more strength and energy.It will also add power to your attack.
3. 3 Leverage your height and speed. Even if your technique is not 100%, but you play without any logic, like crazy, you will have the opportunity to psychologically crush your opponent. Do long-range, close-range strikes, twist strikes, strike in a straight line, turn on speed, strike in corners, and so on. Keep your opponent on tiptoes.
   • To make it easier for you to do all of this, use your starting position. Be prepared to shift your weight anywhere, especially after serves and between hits. Be ready to attack at any moment.
4. 4 Relax your body. Remember that the balloon weighs practically nothing. It also revolves constantly. If you move with a strong grip and apply brute force to the impact, you can smash the ball in the air. Relax and loosen your grip before entering the game. All you need is a light touch on the ball when it flies towards you or when you reach for it.
   • It is also worth relaxing mentally. If you lose control of your emotions, you may lose the game. If you've missed several innings in a row, don't be discouraged - take revenge. Never give up until the game is over. In table tennis, everything can change in seconds.

Part 3 of 3: Making the Game Better and Better

1. 1 Play with your racket only. Each racket is different. They all have their own special characteristics and they feel differently. If you want to relax and play your best game in peace, play with your racket. Unlike other rackets, you know how to play it and what to expect from it. If you are playing someone else's racket, your game may not be stable.
   • Take good care of your racket, because it is like your right hand. When not in use, keep it in the carrying case. If the surface of the racket (the upside-down rubber side with bumps) is smooth, rinse it with warm, soapy water. Alternatively, use a racquet cleaner to keep it in good condition.
2. 2 Train yourself. If you need to hone your skills with consistent feeds, try practicing yourself against a wall. Practice each type of feed, work on the twist, length and feed rate. It will also help you get a feel for your racket and know exactly what nuances are important for a particular serve.
   • You can use the floor to work on the twist. Practice hitting the bottom so that the ball comes back to you. Then do the same at different angles.
3. 3 All the time exercise. Exercise doesn't make you perfect, but it builds a habit. If you exercise constantly, you will know what to expect from yourself. Your pitch will be stable and you will be able to pitch the ball to the nearest centimeter. Therefore, it does not matter if you train yourself, with a friend or participate in competitions, train.
   • However, in the beginning, practice more than compete. It is very easy to lose your temper over something that seems simple. But in reality, everything is not simple. That is why in some countries of the world people compete in this sport.
4. 4 Practice until your serves are part of you. When you first start playing a sport or developing a skill, all your mental strength is focused on thinking things through. To relax and actually start developing your technique, you need to go through this stage. Continue to play until you bring the serve to automaticity and until you get to the point where you don’t think about what to do with the ball and where it is going.
   • Think of everything as driving. At first, you were so nervous, taking on all the irritants around you. Now you can drive and not even think about how you arrived. It's the same in table tennis. Just relax and play.
5. 5 Join a tennis club or league. If the only people you know play tennis are your uncle and an 8 year old, your game will never improve. Join your local tennis league or club to find like-minded players you can test your skills against. Your level does not matter here - clubs invite all players, from beginners to almost professionals.
   • For example, the US Table Tennis League has a website listing clubs and organizations; you can go to a similar site in your country and see which clubs are active in your area. Clubs have trainers to help you work on your weaknesses and also build on your strengths.

Tips

• Experiment with different types of feeds. Step away from the table and experiment with long distance serves as well.

Warnings

• Do not grip the handle too hard, you will only clog your fingers! Also, you will not be able to twist the feed properly.