Virtual Ping Pong

Robert asked:


Do you want to get better in playing table tennis? Well, it is going to be a little easier with these helpful table tennis tips and tricks:

1. Keep in mind that table tennis is not a game of the hand and arms alone. When playing table tennis, you need balance, coordination, and good reflexes. Move your feet along with the rest of your body. When played right, a single table tennis match can give you a good full body workout.

2. Handle mistakes positively. Table tennis is a fast game. And committing mistakes is rather common. If you fumble a lot, don’t get mad. Rather, learn from it. Remain positive and concentrate on improving your skills rather than being frustrated about your game.

3. Use the right grip on the paddle. There are different kinds of grips when playing table tennis. Use the one that suits your style best. The shake hands grip is the most common beginner’s grip. To do it, you merely hold the paddle’s handle as if you are shaking hands. Hold the paddle with the right tension so it stays in place. Practice your shots using the grip until you get comfortable with it.

4. Master the basic strokes. The basic strokes are the forehand block, forehand smash, and their backhand counterparts. Forehand block is the strategy used to block the ball’s path with the racket. There’s really no action with this stoke. All you have to do is to intercept the ping-pong ball with the paddle. On the other hand, a forehand smash stroke is just like a forehand block, only more powerful. Instead of merely blocking the ball, you are supposed to put more force to the shot.

5. Know your abilities. Don’t attempt to use techniques and strategies that you are not familiar with inside a match. It is impossible to win a game with a tactic you haven’t mastered just yet. Be realistic when it comes to your abilities. Accept your limitations. Beat your opponent with the skills that they lack, which you have incidentally.

6. Join a table tennis club. If you really want to raise your game higher, play with other people of varied expertise level. You surely will learn a lot from the pros. And you can fine-tune your skills with fellow beginners. Playing with others expands your horizons and broadens your experience, as far as table tennis is concerned.

Mario Churchill asked:


Table tennis is a very interesting sport. This game is a classical example where there must be hand to eye coordination is key in beating an opponent.

The way that a player holds the paddle is the best way to learn the various techniques. Take for example the shake handgrip where the person will literally take hold of it like shaking a person’s hand.

This is very easy to learn and the way it is handled will allow the player to serve, block, push and smash whenever it is needed. In fact, beginners do not only use this technique because experienced athletes still apply it during practice and in competition.

Another way of holding the paddle is called the pen grip. The individual will hold the handle as though this is like a pen. People will surely notice that a lot of Asians use this especially the Chinese who were the ones who invented it.

What is the difference between the two aside from how the paddle is held? Those who decide to use the handshake will keep the edge of the paddle always on the side. Players who use the pen grip will point this toward the ground.

These are two most popular ways of holding the paddle. Since the sport is not only about using the arms, proper technique is also developed with fancy footwork. This is achieved based on the stance one takes either being in the offense or defense.

It takes time to master one of the other. Perhaps when the individual’s skills have improved, this will be a good time to learn the second one then see which one is better when playing in a game.

Since the ball may come in any direction, the player should crouch a little keeping the hands close to the shoulders. This should be relaxed at all times since tension will build up later on as the game goes on further.

The person also does not have to run from one end of the table to the other unlike tennis but faster movement can be done with knees bent and the legs a few feet apart.

It will take some time to achieve proper timing. The player will realize later on that a miss will happen when the reaction is either too fast or slow.

While on the offense, the speed drive works best. The player starts the momentum by trading a few volleys and when the timing is right, a smash will be sent to the other side thus adding one more point on the scoreboard.

Of course, the other player can do the same thing so it is best to be prepared for it that is known as the counter drive. The player will just have to take the initiative when to smash it again to the other side but be prepared just in case the opponent is able to anticipate this at the same time.

Some matches will even have both players standing a few feet away from the table. This is called a lob given that both sides are trading some powerful shots. There is a way to end this and it goes back to the smash.

It will be a good idea to also learn how to block so that the energy given by the other player is returned in kind by simply putting the paddle up.

James Gauci asked:


Table tennis casually also known as ” ping pong ” and is also a very well liked Olympic game for two or else four contrasting players opposing the team match. It is more or less like tennis in all concepts, apart from the difference in their rule. To take pleasure of this game, one should know how it is essentially been played. It is the sport for everybody in leisure time, provided that the ergonomic extent of table tennis is suitable to maneuvers of a child.

Table tennis comprises of a table with the dimensions of: 9 feet x 5 feet, and painted in green, black or blue. The ball is lightweight made of solid plastic material and 40 millimeters in diameter. Net stretches all along half the segment of the table, diagonally with the height of 15 centimeters.

Rackets for the table tennis are around 10 centimeters in the length that is covered with uneven rubber on equal sides to make soft the impact of a ball. Uncovered rackets without rubber covering are not permitted because it stops the ball from spinning. As it is an obligation, some coatings are not satisfactory.

Scoring happens after each error of every player based on following instances:

1. When the player allows the ball to rebound on his table two times, then other gets scored.

2. Not hitting the ball once it productively landed as well as bounced on one’s surface.

3. When hitting back to return the ball, and if it bounces on one area despite the other side, then opponent gets the score.

4. Hitting the ball with hands by chance is acceptable; however, hitting it once more to racket means double strike. When the player gives double strike, his challenger gets scored.

5. If return is not good also it did not bounce to opponent’s half surface, then error is counted.

6. One should allow the ball to bounce on his half table area prior hitting the ball. It is an error and will give challenger a point.

Mario Churchill asked:


When a beginner has more or less learned the basics in table tennis, this is the right time to teach some other techniques. This allows the player to become better not only in practice but also most importantly in competition.

Each match starts with a serve. There are two advanced techniques for this namely the sidespin and the pendulum. Both moves will involve the entire weight of the person to be able to create enough force and speed for it to reach the other end of the table.

Since a service won’t win a game, it is time to go on the offensive. Players already know what a speed drive is. A modified version of this technique is called the loop drive.

The power of this technique comes from the waist. The player should rotate it from one side to the other to create enough force to send it back to the other end of the table.

The next technique that is for defensive purposes is called the chop. When the opponent has hit the ball back into player’s court, all the person has to do is slice away into the air making contact with the ball to send it back to the other side.

The reason why this technique is hard to master is because it will not only block the ball but it will change the direction where the incoming volley will go. Those who successfully master this will be able to force the opponent to make forced errors, which means another added point for the player.

The flip is another smart move that if done correctly will work for the player. One foot will be ahead of the other and when the ball comes, the wrist should quickly turn from one end to the next to complete the shot.

This is an unexpected move that can surprise the opponent and should be tried every so often to outsmart the other player.

The last advanced technique is called the lob. This technique is also for defensive purposes, which is a modified version of the counter drive.

Shots will be traded in the course of the match. When the player feels like the opponent is about to let it all out, it is time to move a feet back and bend the knees further to get leverage for the shot.

When the ball comes, the player should use the strength from the legs and the waist to send the ball back to hopefully adding another point to the score.

There are other advanced techniques that the student can learn to become a better table tennis player. There is a forehand and a backhand move for each and it is the discretion of the player which one to use in the game.

Some coaches already incorporate the advanced moves to the beginner while others wait a little longer. It is best to practice the both techniques and then be smart enough to use it when the opportunity presents itself.

Watching videos how each of these advanced techniques is done can help but it is always

best to put theory into practice to have a better understanding. One way is to have a mock up game with a teammate but if there is no one around, there is no harm in doing some shadow training.