For the basis of this article, I am going to talk about two specific drills which are particularly beneficial for the beginning table tennis player. If you feel that these drills are too simplistic or too undemanding then I suggest you read my article on higher level table tennis drills.

Drill 1 – The forehand/backhand counter-hit

The counter-hit is the most common practice drill for table tennis players both beginner and advanced. In this drill you are hitting the ball from the right side of the table to the opponent’s right hand side of the table (diagonally).

The more you practice this drill the easier it becomes and you will find you and your partner will have long rallies hitting the ball to one another. Once you have mastered this forehand technique, the next step is to move onto the back hand counter-hit. This is very similar to the forehand, except that you are hitting the ball from the left side of the table (rather than the right) using your backhand instead of your forehand.

Drill 2 - Forehand and Backhand Looping

Once you have mastered the basic counter-hit it is time to practice one of the fundamental shots in table tennis – the forehand loop. If you’re unsure what the forehand loop is then I would strongly suggest you read this before continuing.

This drill is quite similar to the counterhit (same area of the table), except one partner is now looping the ball while the other proceeds to block. The idea of this exercise is consistency. The maximum benefit from this drill is achieved when the blocker and the looper are consistently getting the ball on the table.

For further practice on your forehand loop you can then move around to the backhand side and use your forehand loop against your partner’s backhand. This is another popular warm up drill.

I would recommend spending at least 2 minutes counter-hitting and 3 minutes looping for each partner (5 minutes each for backhand and forehand).

My final advice is to be courteous to your partner. Don’t spend 10 minutes looping yourself and forget to give your partner a turn. Try to be considerate by allocating a certain time for each player to practice their warm up drills.

Photo Credit: ah_blake

Training with another individual

The most common form of table tennis training is hitting against another player. Both of you can practice set drills against one another with the intention of improving different shots which you feel you need to work on. Quite often, the best training is with someone who is around the same level as you and can consistently return the ball on the table.

Table Tennis Coach

A coach or mentor is a person who trains and teaches you specific techniques, methods and strategies to improve your game. Usually a good table tennis coach knows specific areas of weakness in your game that needs to be worked on and based on this knowledge prepares a number of set drills and routines for you to practice. This is done in what is referred to as “multiball” in which the coach hits a number of balls in repetitive succession one after another. This repetitive style of training can be tiresome at times, but is extremely beneficial. At first multiball may seem quite tiring, but when it is introduced into the coaching program more frequently it becomes significantly easier.

Table Tennis Robots

One of the new forms of training that has been introduced in recent years is table tennis robots. These robots are trained to fire table tennis balls in a specific sequence on different areas of the table. The main benefit of these robots is that they do not require another player or coach in order for you to train effectively. One of the main features of table tennis robots is the ability to add different spins to the ball. If you wish to practice hitting long backspin balls, then all you need to do is alter the settings on the robot and it will begin to fire balls with backspin. This type of training can be very helpful and advantageous in practicing set shots.

Table Tennis Counter-hit

This is the most basic shot for a table tennis player to have in their arsenal. It is generally not often used during game play but is an essentially shot when warming up with your opponent. Basically you are hitting the ball with your forehand diagonally to your partner’s forehand which he reciprocates.

Table Tennis Block

The block is an important choice of shot for both the beginner and experienced player. The backhand block is the more commonly used shot out of the forehand/backhand. This is because players tend to counter loop on their forehand rather than block (which we will get to shortly).
Basically, you use the block to return a quick loop from your opponent. The block is basically a defensive shot, but if used correctly can be very devastating.

Table Tennis Loop

The “loop” is named according to the arching motion the table tennis ball makes as it travels through the air. Despite its strange name, the backhand and forehand loop is probably the most widely used shot in table tennis. It is further subdivided into “backhand loop” and “forehand loop” in which both shots you finely stroke the ball generating topspin. This topspin results in the arching motion of the ball and results in the ball “kicking” when it hits the table making it difficult for your opponent to return.

The other related shot, which often requires much more practice is the forehand/backhand counter loop in which you loop your opponents loop by adding your own spin back onto the ball. This can be another very effective shot if used correctly, but at the same time it has a high degree of difficulty.

Table Tennis Lobbing

During play there will be times when you are pushed back from the table resulting in you having to lob. Lobbing is when you hit the ball high into the air resulting in an elevated bounce when the ball lands on the table. Generally when lobbing you want to make the ball travel as high as possible with some added spin to the ball. This adds a degree of difficulty to the shot and increases the chances that the opponent will either mishit the ball into the net, or hit it off the table. Lobbing like most other table tennis shots requires a lot of practice in order to perfect the right bounce and spin to add to the table tennis ball.

Table Tennis Pushing

The push shot is when you get underneath the ball, stroking it finely and generating spin. It is often a defensive shot used to make it difficult for your opponent to loop the ball strongly back onto the table. Table Tennis pushing is further subdivided into short pushing and long pushing. Long pushing is what we discussed above where you push the ball long making it difficult for your opponent to loop. Short pushing is when you push the ball just over the net (i.e. the ball bounces twice) and is used to prevent your opponent from looping the ball. It is best described as a positional shot.

Generally, I have found that long pushing is the more commonly used shot amongst beginning players, but as you progress to a higher level in table tennis then you will find short pushing becomes essential.

Conclusion

If you have struggled to understand any of these concepts that I have outlined then I would suggest you consult or discuss what you are unsure of with a coach. If you are already being coached your table tennis coach would be able to show you personally how to play each shot.

Special thanks to cm.yong for this incredible photo of Feng Tianwei

The 3 main aspects you should look for in a table tennis shoe

1. Brand and Size

First of all you need to search for a particular brand of shoe that you like. There are a number of prominent table tennis brands including Yasaka, Butterfly, Donic, Sportcraft and Nittaku to name a few, who each produce their own shoes. If you’re unsure of which brand of shoes you like try on a pair from each brand and see how they feel.

2. Weight and Flexibility

Generally, ping pong shoes are designed to be very lightweight enabling you to move quite quickly
to return the ball. Speed is essential in table tennis so it is important that you can move quickly on your feet.

3. Non Marking

This heading is self explanatory, but briefly don’t buy shoes which are not non marking. If you play on wooden surface then the last thing you want to do is leave a long black mark on a nicely polished wooden floor. I have seen it happen before and it is not a pretty sight!

4. Price

Prices will range depending on the brand and type of shoe that you are buying but overall look for a reasonably priced shoe. If you find a shoe that you like but find it too pricey at the store (often due to heavy mark-ups placed on items) then conduct a search for the shoe online. In the past I have sourced a number of table tennis related items online and have managed to buy them at a much lower price compared with what was for sale at my local table tennis club. Buying online also makes it easy to compare prices between online stores which is a good way of checking to see whether you get the lowest price.

From my own personal experience I have found that quality table tennis shoes are one of the most important pieces of equipment a player can have. I owned a pair of butterfly table tennis shoes and I found them to superb, but what might suits me might not suit somebody else. Remember, everyone has different preferences towards what type of shoe that they prefer. Don’t be influenced by other opinions , instead try them for yourself and make your own judgment as you are the one having to wear them.
Table Tennis shoes may feel uncomfortable at first, but over time after you have worn them in you will find they will mold to the shape of your feet and feel a lot more comfortable to play in.

Do you notice the way he brings his arm right back and transfers his weight from the right to left leg? This helps add power to the shot, and it also assists in recovering for the next ball. The second point I would like to point out is that Wang Liqin always hits the ball at the top of its bounce and does not wait for it to drop. This is another important aspect to remember when forehand looping. Its actions like these you should take notice of and try and replicate in your own training!

Enjoy the video, and stay turned for more exciting table tennis videos to come.

So what exactly should a good outdoor table tennis cover do?

1. Waterproof
If you store your table outside such as inside an open garage, then you be fairly certain that rain will be blown into your garage and hitting your exposed table at some point or another. That is why you need a waterproof cover to stop the rain falling on and damaging your table. While a table tennis cover may protect your cover from light rain, I would advise you in the event of heavy rain to find better storage facilities for your table as a cover can only protect so much of your table.

2. UV Rays
The powerful UV rays that the sun emits can potentially damage your table tennis cover and make the color of the table fade. For example although you may store your table inside a garage the strong rays coming through a glass window could damage the table covering. If you store your table outside where it could be exposed to the damaging effects of sunlight then I would advise you to obtain a cover made of material that is resistant to UV rays. The material you should use in your cover is PVC as this has very good UV resistant properties.

Where can you buy a table tennis cover?

The next step once you have decided to purchase a table tennis cover is to decide where you are going to buy it. There are a variety of different Department stores where you can purchase them online. Two online sites where you can usually find a good outdoor table tennis cover at a reasonable price is Amazon and Ebay.

Amazon – Amazon is an established online website selling a whole range of different products including table tennis covers. They have a very good reputation for online trading and have many satisfied customers. Search their website for various covers available for sale.

Click Here to see the cover listings at Amazon.com

Ebay – Ebay is another popular online auction website with many items available for sale. To begin searching for covers, simply type in “table tennis covers” in the search box on the main page and you will get a list of auction listings. Browse through the listing to look for a suitable tarp that will suit your requirements.

Stiga Table Tennis Cover

Like most other table tennis manufacturers, Stiga also produces table tennis covers to protect tables from harm. Its covers are made from PVC which is known to be a durable type of material which protects your table from both water and UV rays – a good choice if you store your table tennis table outside.

Final Notes

Before buying a table tennis cover I highly recommend you measure the dimensions of your table tennis cover. This will help ensure you purchase a table tennis cover which properly fits your table tennis table. Table Tennis covers come in different sizes so make sure you buy one which properly covers your table.

In this article, we are going to discuss 3 important reasons why you should look at buying a table tennis cover for your table.

1. Protection from UV Rays

If you keep your table tennis table outside, then UV rays from the sun can significantly damage your table if it isn’t properly protected.

In this instance, it is important to look for a table tennis cover made from PVC material. PVC materials are known to be UV stabilized which helps to protect the table from the sun’s damaging UV rays.

2. Dust, Dirt and Dampness

The most common place of storage of a table tennis table for many people is in the garage or an outbuilding. But remember, garages are notorious for accumulating dust and dirt which over time can damage your table tennis table. If you have found it necessary to store your table in the garage, or other dust accumulating places then a table tennis cover with tough synthetic fiber would be the best option.

A cover made from Synthetic fiber will ensure your table is protected from dust, dirt and dampness.

3. Humidity

If you live in a high humidity area then again, a table tennis cover made from synthetic fiber would be a good choice. As well as providing protection from dirt, dust and dampness it also protects your table from humidity.

Moisture can also cause your table tennis table to warp if it’s exposed to rain or moisture if left outside or in an open garage where the garage door has been left open accidentally.

As you can see from reading this article, table tennis covers can protect your table against many natural elements which can potentially harm your table. Acquiring a good quality cover is therefore a good investment if your serious about looking after your equipment.

The following 5 pieces of advice will ensure that you select a table tennis cover that suits your needs.

1. Size

These days table tennis tables come in a range of sizes. It is therefore important that before you buy a table tennis cover to ensure you have measured the dimensions of your table. With your dimensions written down on a piece of paper carry it around with you when looking for a table tennis cover.

This will help to ensure you purchase a table tennis cover that properly fits over your table.

2. Material

Because table tennis covers are made out of different material to suit different types of conditions I have provided below a brief overview of the materials and what they do:

PVC material: This helps protect your table from UV rays and other weather elements.
Nylon: Known to be quite sturdy and durable – another good protector.

Synthetic Fiber: Protects your table from dust, dirt, dampness and humidity.

3. Color:

Table tennis covers are manufactured today in a wide range of different designs and colors. If you want your table tennis table to blend in with the background then don’t choose a bright color like orange for example.

However, it is a personal choice because there is no color in particular which has more benefits than another, so the color option is entirely up to you.

4. Price

Table tennis covers range in price. The price that you will have to pay will depend on the type and quality of cover you are looking for. Generally, the very high quality table tennis covers often are more expensive.

Remember to shop around and compare prices between retailers. You can also carry out some research online and compare prices from each store.

By doing this you will ensure you get the best value for your money.

That’s why it is important that you protect your racket with a table tennis racket cover.
In this article you will learn what you need to look for when choosing a table tennis cover.

1. Ball Holder

A good racket cover should always come with a handy ball holder. This is useful for you to store your table tennis balls safely and securely. A ball holder is also very useful and can help prevent you from losing your table tennis balls – believe me I have lost countless balls over the years!

2. Durable Covering

Make sure that your racket cover is made from durable materials such as vinyl for example. Vinyl is known to be very durable and has a reputation for being quite sturdy which adds that extra layer of protection to your table tennis racket.

3. Size

Although table tennis racket covers fit most sizes of bats, as a precautionary measure when searching for a table tennis racket cover, always ensure that you have your table tennis racket cover close at hand.

This is because you can quickly and easily check to make sure that your cover fits the size of your bat.

What I have outlined above are just 3 important tips I recommend you take into consideration before purchasing a table tennis cover. A table tennis cover will protect your bat and rubbers from all sorts of potential hazards like liquid spills, dirt and sunlight as well as shielding your rubber from getting worn.