There are numerous things to consider when learning the fundamentals of playing table tennis - starting from your stance at the table, your grip on the paddle, your serve, and much more.
Table tennis has been a popular sport across the globe for a long time. In fact, in Asian countries, it has long been a beloved sport, and the popularity of its competitiveness has helped the sport make its way around the world. However, you need to perfect certain things as you learn the ins and outs of table tennis, like perfecting your backhand drive, forehand drive, backhand push, and returning the serve. Below are some sure-fire tips and tricks that can help you advance in your game.
Maintain a good ready position
A good ready position is crucial to instantly prepare the body to move in any direction. Maintain a good ready position while returning serves and in between strokes. The basic sequence of the game requires the player to maintain a good ready position, use your feet to move to the ball, stroke the ball, and return to the ready position.
Understand the spin
Understand the spin of the ball to improve your game. Monitor your opponent's paddle and observe how they serve the ball over the net. For instance, if your opponent moves the paddle from right to left, the ball's spin will be left sidespin. Understanding the ball's spin will help you evaluate your opponent's strategy with each service, thereby enhancing your game.
Train your strokes until they are automatic
When you are a novice player, immense mental energy is required to formulate a vivid mental picture of how the stroke feels and looks. Then, after creating a relatively accurate mental picture, you need to repeatedly practise that skill until it becomes spontaneous. It is the automatic stage that will make your game more natural.
Develop sidespin serves
Top players usually use sidespin for almost every serve. In addition, sidespin is often combined with either backspin or topspin; pure sidespin is rarely used in table tennis. Sidespin or backspin is particularly a useful service that stays low to the net, and the ball bounces twice on the other side of the table, limiting the opponent's options of serve return.
Use your whole body when you stroke your forehand.
Rotate your shoulders and hips backwards during the backswing and then forward into the ball while stroking your forehand. The harder your forehand hits, the more forceful your service will be.
Also, practice your game more rigorously to advance your strategy when returning the ball.
