Table Tennis Tips

A few table tennis tips may enhance your game and increase your number of wins. Table tennis has become a major sport across the world, with millions of participants. The sport was added to the Olympic games in 1988 in Seoul, Korea, and has grown in popularity over the past two decades.

1. Consider your opponent’s height to find his weak spots. If you are playing against a tall opponent, his return strokes will be further apart. He will most likely be weak in the middle area of the table. Use powerful shots aiming toward his elbow. This will force him to quickly choose between a backhand and a forehand shot. If your opponent is short, do the opposite. A shorter person usually has difficulty covering the outside areas. Use wide-angled shots to keep him running back and forth in a defensive mode.
2. Mix up the types of serves and returns. Use a variety of table tennis techniques throughout the match to avoid predictability. Use the push, the drive, the smash, and the block at various intervals to keep your opponent off guard. Use long, short and down-the-line serves early in the match to determine which techniques work best against your opponent.
3. Focus and take your time. Practice with distractions in the room so you can learn to tune them out. You need to stay focused on each stroke. Use the time allowed before serving to think through your technique and strategy. The match moves along quickly, so it is important to regroup between serves.
4. Stay close to the table. Some players prefer to step back from the table to play their match. This style has its disadvantages, forcing the player to spend precious time moving about to get to the ball and return it. Force yourself to stay close to the table, and you will find that you have more control over the match. 
5. Practice training drills on a regular basis. The only way to improve your table tennis game is to practice each technique many times until you feel that you have mastered it. Work on speed, power and precision. You may want to invest in a table tennis robot. Inexpensive models retail for around $230. The robot will serve at least 50 balls in a row, allowing you to practice a variety of strokes.

Resources:

The Sport of Table Tennis