Table Tennis is one of the most popular games all over the world. The best part about it is that it is enjoyed by people of all ages, from the youth to the elderly! Learning how to play table tennis is as easy as ABC, there are just some basics you need to keep in mind as you begin playing.
Coming back to Table Tennis, here are some of the basics that you need to know before you start playing so make sure that you read all the way to the end!
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Table Tennis Equipment
The first thing that you need to familiarize yourself with is the equipment that you need so that you can start playing with your friends or family. The first thing that you would need is a proper Table Tennis table.
The table is typically made out of fibrewood and is split into two halves. The table looks exactly like a tennis court if the tennis court were in a table.
The other things that you need are table tennis racquets or paddles, as some people like to call them. The base frame is made out of wood while the sides are made out of rubber to hit the ball easily and make it spin.
A table tennis ball is relatively small as compared to a tennis ball and it is typically made out of light plastic.
Position Your Body Perfectly
Regardless of whether you are making the serve, defending, or even attacking, one thing that you need to make sure of is that your body is positioned perfectly so that you don’t miss a shot.
You must ensure that you set your angle correctly so that your arm can move about in any direction so that you can take all possible shots. Also, be sure to keep a tight grip on your racquet in regard to your stability and balance.
Keep Your Feet in Mind Too
It doesn’t just end with your positioning your body properly but you also need to be mindful about your feet as you are playing as well. Your feet should at least be shoulder length apart, since this would make it easier for you to move from side to side while you are hitting the ball.
The game is all about agility and focus, which is why it is necessary that you keep your feet planted and apart so that you can move swiftly. Not just your feet but your arms need to be able to move about freely as well so that you take all the shots that you wish to take.
Know About the Table Tennis Shots
You need to know your shots before you actually begin taking them. Some of the common shots that you can learn to take include the Topspin, the Block, and the Chop. Topspin basically spins the ball in such a way that your opponent has a hard time hitting it back.
A block is just a normal shot back and is one of the first shots that a player learns. You just hit the ball with one side of the racquet, “blocking” it. A Chop, on the other hand, is a more defensive shot when you are dealing with a spin. There’s a certain trick to it and once executed correctly, you can successfully counter a spin sent your way.
You can play a Chop with both forehand and backhand, depending on what your position is and which way you play it better.
Differentiate between Both Kinds of Strokes
Before playing, you need to know about the kinds of strokes and pushes so that you can further improve your gameplay. When it comes to strokes, there are two kinds, the forehand stroke and the backhand stroke.
Similarly, when it comes to the kind of “pushes” it also includes a forehand push and a backhand push. It depends on what your preference is and which of the two is your strength. If you feel like you play better with forehand, you go for that or vice versa.
Once you have grasped these basics, you can read in-depth about table tennis here.