Table Tennis Techniques For Beginners

Learning the proper table tennis techniques for beginners will allow you to learn and begin to master the game of table tennis. Table tennis is a modern game that can be very aggressive by attacking the ball and learning the style of play of your opponent. Knowing the basic table tennis techniques for beginners such as the right stance, how to grip the paddle, some basic strokes and serving techniques will help you to improve the quality of your game.

1. The basic stance. The general table stance in table tennis for beginners is a slight crouch forward with feet shoulder width apart, and a slight bend in your knees and ankles. Most of your weight should be kept on the ball of your feet. This makes it easier for quick sudden pivots and movements and also makes it easier to get good return shoots. Keep a relaxed posture with the least amount of tension as much as possible. The forearm and racket should be faced forward at all times. Always keep a ready stance to allow for maximum consistency, power and control.
2. The correct placement of the feet and distance from the table. Right-handed players should place their right foot a little to the left of the center line on the table. Also, have the left foot slightly forward from the right foot. Vice-versa if you are left-handed. Moving across the table from a side to side shuffle motion will keep you facing forward towards the table at all times. The distance between yourself and the table should be just enough to where your paddle just barely touches the table. You should still be standing quite close to the table with your arms close to your body and not outstretched.
3. The grip of the paddle. The way that the paddle is gripped will help players with table tennis and make a huge difference in their play of the game. For beginners, the handshake grip works best. The paddle should be gripped with all fingers, and the thumb should rest by itself on the opposite side as the index finger is on the paddle. The middle finger and pinky finger should wrap around one side of the handle of the paddle. The index finger should be extended along the bottom of the paddle, and the thumb should be relaxed on the blade instead of on the handle. 'Shaking hands' with the paddle is the way this grip is achieved and where it gets its name. 
4. The basic serve techniques. First, always make sure that the ball is held above table level for the opponent to see it. Hit a serve by simply hitting the ball with the paddle in a left-to-right or right-to-left motion, depending upon whichever you feel most comfortable with. Be sure to keep the ball as low as possible to help prevent your opponent from doing a quick attack on you. As a beginner, work on serving the ball in different directions and depths all over the table. As soon as you finish your serve make sure to get into the ready position and be prepared to return the serve to your opponent.