Ping pong has many extremes. From the person playing in the basement on a friday night, to the master players who are paid millions, everyone knows ping pong. But no one knows exactly how to get good at ping pong fast to win every time. It’s not always the most respected sport, but it does require an enormous amount of skill. Here’s everything you need to know to improve your ping pong skills.
Table tennis (or Ping Pong) not always the most respected sport, but it does require an enormous amount of skill. Here’s everything you need to know to improve your ping pong skills to get good at ping pong by yourself!
Get the best paddle.
You need to get the right paddle. Your personal paddle.
If you want to be good a ping pong, you can’t use just any old paddle. You will want to find a paddle that is good for beginners that has tacky rubber for good control.
Your paddle should not have a lot of spin so you are able to keep control while you learn. The same with power. It’s important to master technique first.
The same with power. It’s important to master technique first.
You also need to find a paddle that fits with the type of hold you feel more comfortable with, either the “shake-hand” or “pen-hold” grip.Your paddle should not have a lot of spin so you are able to keep control while you learn. The same with power. It’s important to master technique first.
To get better – play in a ready stance
When you are playing ping pong, you should have your body set, balanced, and ready to make a move to any part of the table. After every hit, you need to return to the ready position. Your playing arm is always ready to return the ball. If you are better with a forehand shot, stand towards the left, and to the right if you have a better backhand.
Be ready to move alot
The ball can move in any direction within seconds based on how your opponent returns the ball. As long as you use the ready stance, you will be able quickly move to the ball. The faster you are, the harder you are to beat. A good way to keep up this speed is to stay physically fit with other cardio exercises.
Go for the corners
When you place a ball in the corner, it is almost impossible to return, even for the best players. The edges of the table are good for this too, but it is more difficult to keep in play. If it goes off the table you lose a point. Use the corner shot with lobs over the net. Sending one shot to a corner, and another just in front of the net throws off the opponent because they don’t know what to expect next.
Make low shots
Keep the ball as low to the net as possible without hitting the actual net. When the shot is low to the net,it is harder for your opponent to make any fancy shots on the ball. It’s also harder to put a lot of power behind the ball.
Here is a list of tips for making low shots in ping pong:
- Bend your knees when you receive the ball to give yourself a lower center of gravity.
- Use the wrist to flick the ball and generate spin.
- Use the backswing to get more power and accuracy.
- Move your feet to the side to give yourself more time to react.
- Aim the ball low across the net and try to keep it low as it passes over.
- Keep your racket low and close to the table.
- Make contact with the ball as close to the table as possible.
- Use a loose grip on the racket to make it easier to generate spin.
- Hit the ball low and with spin to make it harder for your opponent to return.
- Try to keep the ball close to the net and away from your opponent’s reach.
Be aware of fouls
Ping pong has numerous fouls that could cost you the game if you aren’t careful. Bouncing the ball more than once before it goes over the next is a loss of a point. You also cannot throw the ball more than 6 inches when serving. When you first start playing, always look up the rules so you don’t end up making a silly mistake.
Add some spin
Learning how to curve and add spin to the ball on serves can be a hard thing to master, but once you do, it can take your game to the next level. Know how the ball is spinning when you are returning it can help you compensate for the amount of spin. It’s also good to master the sidespin. This kind of spin makes it more difficult for the other player to return the ball. Sidespin sends the ball into directions unexpected by the opponent.
To add spin to your shots in ping pong, you need to brush the ball with your paddle in a specific way. To add topspin, you need to brush over the top of the ball with your paddle, moving from the back of the ball to its top. To generate backspin, you need to brush the ball downwards, moving the paddle from the top of the ball to its back. To generate sidespin, you need to brush the ball from the side, either from the right or the left. You also need to keep your wrist loose to allow for free movement, and accelerate your wrist quickly to impart maximum spin. With practice and experimentation, you should be able to master the technique and add spin to your shots.
It’s also good to master the sidespin. This kind of spin makes it more difficult for the other player to return the ball. Sidespin sends the ball into directions unexpected by the opponent.
Use you entire body to return the ball
Using your entire body is what gives you the power behind your stroke. Rotating your hips and shoulders can help you to direct the ball the way you would like it to go. It also gives it the extra power to make it more difficult to return.
Have no consistensy to win every time
If your opponent can’t guess what you are going to do with the ball, he can’t anticipate how he will return it. Go long and short at random times. It the ball very fast and slow. Never let the opponent guess what you are going to do next. It’s easy to do this if you are always in the ready stance and ready to return the ball in any fashion.
Keep you body relax to be better than your opponent
Ping pong balls weigh virtually nothing, so if you come at it with a stiff, tight grip, the ball is going to go flying. You only need a light touch no matter where the ball is. It’s also important to keep your mind relaxed as well. Losing your temper can can cost you the game. A tense mind leads to a tense body.
Always grow as a player – have your personal paddle
Every paddle is different, so using a different paddle can significantly affect your game. When you have your own paddle you use regularly you know what to expect from it, and how it will perform. Using another paddle will give you an inconsistent performance. Make sure you keep your paddle in good shape. Keep it clean and safely stored to avoid damage.
Choose your own paddles for defense and attack styles of the game, and change them according to your partner.
Using another paddle will give you an inconsistent performance. Make sure you keep your paddle in good shape. Keep it clean and safely stored to avoid damage.
Practice on your own – this will help you to improve yourself
Practice with someone until your strokes are consistent, the try to practice against a wall. This will help you learn how to add spin and change the length or speed of the shot. This also helps you learn your paddle. Using the floor can also be helpful to learning your shots. You can buy a good outdoor folding table to practice without a pair.
For the best results – practice every day
Constant practice is not going to make you perfect, but it will make certain parts of the game a habit you won’t need to think about. You will be able to add spin without thinking about it, and you will be able to place the ball exactly where you want to. Do not forget to clean the table regularly for better results.
Want to be the best at ping pong fast – join the local club
If you are playing the same people all the time, you are not going to improve. Joining a league will give you the opportunity to play against new people and grow as a player. These people will challenge you in ways others cannot. Only them can help you to find your own professional paddle and your own style of playing the game.
Conclusion
To get good at ping pong quickly, you should start by learning the basics such as proper footwork, grip, and stance. You should also practice your serves, returns, and footwork drills. Watching and studying professional matches can help you get an idea of how the game is played at a high level. Additionally, you should practice regularly and focus on improving your technique and overall game. It is also important to develop a good understanding of the opponent’s playing style and their weaknesses. By studying their game, you can figure out the best ways to attack and defend against them. Finally, it is important to practice with different types of players, as this will help you become more familiar with different styles of play. By following these steps, you can become a better ping pong player faster.
You will never become a ping pong master overnight, but by following the steps, you can learn how to get good at ping pong, learn the game quickly, and become a better player much faster than just hanging out in your basement playing your little brother. With a little time, you will be able to ping pong with the best of them.
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