BASIC SKILL, STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUE IN TABLE TENNIS

Outline:

 Basic Skills
- Ready Stance
- Grips
- Paddle motions and ball flight directions
- Footwork
- Ball Control
- Serves and Returns B. Performance-backhand (Photo 4.1b):
a. one foot away from the table
 TECHNIQUES b. right foot slightly forward, weight on left foot
-Different type of Flat shots and returns c. left-hand holds the ball at left-front of body
-Different type of Short Shots d. right-hand holds the paddle at left-front of body
- Loop (top spin) shots
2. Basic returning stance
-Backspin (slice & chop) shots
-Combination shots

 Strategies
-single game strategy
-doubles game strategy

BASIC SKILLS

READY STANCE
(Like any other sport, a ready stance is essential to movement and
skills. The basic stances include serving stances and receiving Performance:
stance.) a. feet apart shoulder-wide, weight in the middle
b. knees bent slightly, heels up slightly
1. Basic serving stance c. the paddle-arm bent naturally with the paddle in front of
belly
d. watch the ball

BASIC GRIPS

1. The tennis grip

(This grip used to be popular among the European players but it is
the mostly used grip in the world.)

This type of grip allows for strong forehand and backhand shots.
This grip is also better for loop style and slice style players.
A. Performance-forehand (Photo 4.1a):
a. one foot away from the table
b. left foot slightly forward, weight on right foot
c. left-hand holds the ball at right-front of body
d. right-hand holds the paddle at right-front of body

Performance:
a. hold the paddle like shaking hands with someone
b. the thumb is in front and the index finger is at the back (The direction and pathway of a serve or a shot depends on how
c. hold the paddle loosely the paddle contacts the ball. There are several ways the paddle
contacts the ball and different contacts create different flight
2. The traditional pen-grip patterns of the ball.)
(This grip is usually used by Asian players, especially Chinese 1. Flat
players.)
In this motion, the paddle directly hits
This type of grip allows for quick shots, especially for close table the back of the ball perpendicularly
style players. But backhand shots from this grip are usually weak forward, upward or downward. The ball
since it cannot reach as far on the backhand side, especially for loop then travels straight forward in flat
and slice shots and off-the-table shots. serves or shots (drive shots), or travels
upward in lob shots, or goes down in
(Although this grip is much less used in the last 10 years, a Korean
smash or snap shots accordingly.
player used it in 2004 Olympic men’s single game and took the
champion.)

2. Topspin

In this motion, the paddle hits (half hit

and half scratch) the top-back of the
ball with an upward scratching motion.
The ball then travels forward with an
upward spin in loop 29 shots. Then the
Performance:
ball bounces up forward with a fast
a. hold the paddle like holding a pen in the traditional way
upward spin motion.
b. both the thumb and the index finger are in front
c. hold the paddle loosely 3. Back spin

3. The new pen-grip In this motion, the paddle hits (half hit and
half scratch) low on the back of the ball
A trend of the pen grip is to imitate the tennis grip style and players
with a downward scratching motion. The
using this new style use the back of the paddle to smash, loop, and
ball then travels forward with a backward
slice. It is similar to the backhand technique of tennis grip players
spin in slice and chop shots and serves.
but still keep the advantage of the traditional style.
Then the ball bounces up low and slows
down with a backspin motion. If the paddle
hits the ball fast, it will be a long slice serve or shot. If the paddle
hits the ball slowly, then it will be a short and low chop serve or
shot.

4. Left side spin

In this motion, the paddle hits

(half hit and half scratch) the left
Performance: side of the back of the ball with a
a. hold the paddle like holding a pen in the traditional way sideways scratching motion. The
b. both the thumb and the index finger are in front, but the index ball then travels forward with a
finger is straighter and the thumb press down more left spin in sidespin serves and
shots. If the paddle hits the left
PADDLE MOTION AND BALL FLIGHT DIRECTIONS side of the back of the ball, then it
will be a left side backspin serve or shot. If the paddle hits the top
left side of the ball, then it will be a left side topspin serve or shot.
Then the ball bounces up sideway toward opponent’s left side on
opponent’s table.

5. Right side spin

In this motion, the paddle hits

(half hitting and half scratching)
the right of the back of the ball C. To Right-back
with a sideways scratching
motion. The ball then travels
forward with a right spin in
sidespin serves and shots. If the
paddle hits the right side-back of the ball, then it will be a right side-
back spin serve or shot. If the paddle hits the right side-top of the
ball, then it will be a right side topspin serve or shot. Then the ball
bounces up sideway toward opponent’s right side on opponent’s
table.

6. Flat and top combination D. To Left-back

In this motion, the paddle hits the

back of the ball with a lifting motion.
The ball then travels forward with an
upward arch in flat, lifting, or loop
shots. Then the ball bounces up
forward with an upward spin motion.
Actually this motion is used in most
2. Stride Step
flat, lifting, and upward loop shots
Features:
since it not only provides an upward arch on the flight of the ball to
 It is quick
make it easy to go over the net and come down fast before it gets  It can reach far
too long, but also allows more power and speed.  But it is difficult to use continuously

FOOTWORK A. Stride steps to right

(Footwork is very important in table tennis. To make effective shots,

a player has to position him/herself before hitting the ball. There are
several types of footwork.)

1. Single Step
Features:
 It is quick and simple in a small range
 It is good for the shots close to the body
B. Stride steps to left
A. To right-front

B. To Left-front 3. Jumping Step

Features: Features:
 It can reach far  It is used only when using forehand to hit backhand shots
 It shifts gravity fast  It is used when the ball coming to the far left
 It lands with same stance and can repeat continuously
 It is good for getting far shots

A. Jump to right

BALL CONTROL
(Significant improvement in ball control, coupled with an
understanding of touch, can be achieved off the table using the
following exercises:
1. Bouncing the ball on the forehand side of the bat, attempting to
achieve a uniform height.
2. As 1 but using the backhand side of the bat.
3. Bouncing the ball each side of the bat alternately.
4. Repeating exercises 1, 2 and 3 but varying the height of the
bounce.
B. Jump to left
5. Repeating all exercises but with added movement such as walking
or light jogging.)

4. Slide Step
Features:
 It can reach relatively far
 The central gravity is stable when moving

5. Pivot steps

A. One step
Features:
 It is used only when using forehand to return backhand
shots
 it is used when the ball coming to the body

B. Pivot two steps

1. Forehand Flat Serve
Preparation:
a. one foot away from the table
b. left foot slightly forward, weight on right foot
c. left hand holds the ball at right-front of body
d. right hand holds the paddle at right-front of body

2. Backhand Flat Serve

Preparation:
a. one foot away from the table
b. right foot slightly forward, weight on left foot
c. left hand holds the ball at left-front of body
d. right hand holds the paddle at left-front of body

Applications of the flat serve

a. Serve fast to catch opponent off guard
b. Use fast forehand and backhand serves to confuse the opponent
c. Serve fast to all four corners and to the opponent’s body
d. Combine flat serve with spin serves to confuse opponent
e. Change speed and placement to confuse opponent

Return flat serves

a. Smash back if the serve is high
b. Block back if the serve is too fast
c. Use flat shots to return
d. Avoid using slice shots to return
e. Return to opponent’s weak spots

b. Backspin (slice) services and returns

- serves can travel relatively fast, but can also go slowly. These
serves can travel long toward the baseline or fall short just over the
net
- have more flexibility in applications.
- often use backspin serves to keep serves low and give the
opponent less chance to attack, especially if the opponent cannot
BASIC SERVE & RETURNS return backspin serves well

a. FLAT SERVES AND RETURNS Backspin (slice) services

- are fast and travel long toward the baseline. Players often use flat Features:
serves to catch opponent off-guard, catch open spots (the corners) • It is easy to control the ball
or weak spots (such as opponent’s body), force weak returns, or • The ball bounces low and hard to attack back
force opponent away from the table. • It confuses opponent when combined with flat serve

Features:
• It is the base for other serves
• It has no spin or very little spin
• It travels fast and long
1. Forehand backspin serve
Preparation:
a. one foot away from the table
b. left foot slightly forward, weight on right foot
c. left hand holds the ball at right-front of body
d. right hand holds the paddle at right-front of body 42

2. Backhand backspin serve

a. one foot away from the table 1. Forehand side-back spin serve—left spin
b. right foot slightly forward, weight on left foot Preparation:
c. left hand holds the ball at left-front of body a. one foot away from the table
d. right hand holds the paddle at left-front of body b. left foot slightly forward, weight on right foot
c. left hand holds the ball at right-front of body
Applications of backspin serve d. right hand holds the paddle at right-front of body
a. Keep the ball very low
b. Serve to all four lines and two corners and to the opponent’s 2. Backhand side-back spin serve-right Preparation:
body a. one foot away from the table
c. Change speed to confuse opponent b. right foot slightly forward, weight on left foot
d. Serve long and serve short to confuse opponent c. left hand holds the ball at left-front of body
e. Use a short backspin serve to prevent opponent’s attacking shots d. right hand holds the paddle at left-front of body
f. Combine with flat serves to catch opponent off guard
Applications of side-back spin serve
Return backspin serves a. keep the ball very low
a. Chop or slice back to keep the return low and safe b. change directions to serve to all four corners
b. Lift up and be ready to attack next time whenever there is a c. change speed to confuse opponent
chance d. serve long and short to confuse the opponent
c. Use loop shots to attack aggressively e. use both forehand and backhand serves to confuse the opponent
f. combine flat and slice serves to confuse opponent
c. Side-back spin services and returns
- spin serves can travel relatively fast but its main characteristic is to Return side-back spin serves
create a side-back spin motion to make the ball going outward to a. use quick spin block
left or right and still remain low. b. side-back spin back
- serves usually makes opponent less aggressive since it is low and c. slice back d. wait and return with off-the-table shots
cannot be smashes easily, and at the same time confuse the e. use lift or loop shots
opponent on which way to spin back.
- it works well on receivers who are not familiar with side backspin d. Side-top spin services and returns
serves. - can travel fast and it also creates a side-top spin motion to make
the ball going far outward to left and right and still remain the
Side-back spin services speed.
Features: -usually catch opponent off-guard and keep opponent guessing
• It creates side and backspin and is easy for opponent to hit out which way the ball spins, thus make opponent less prepared and
• It is hard for opponent to react fast and return accordingly less aggressive.
• It changes the pathway and is hard to judge and return - work well to receivers who are not good at returns side-top spin
• It confuses opponent when combined with other serves serves, and work better when using left spin and right spin
alternatively.
TECHNIQUES
Different type of Flat Shots

a. Close-table flat shots

- are basic techniques in table tennis.
- These shots are fast and can be placed at big angles since it is
performed at close-table positions. The pathway is short and this
gives opponent less time to prepare and return with high quality.
- Players often use these shots to catch opponent off-guard, and
catch open spots (the corners) or weak spots (such as opponent’s
body).
-Players can also use these shots to press opponent to play fast and
be unprepared for using strong returns (such as loop).

Features:
• It is more like the flat serves.
• It has more power and is fast
• It is often used to return flat serves and shots
• It controls placement well and hits bigger angles

1. Forehand side-top spin serve—left spin Preparation:

a. one foot away from the table
b. left foot slightly forward, weight on right foot Preparation:
c. left hand holds the ball at right-front of body a. one foot away from the table
d. right hand holds the paddle at right-front of body b. flat steps with weight between feet
c. hold the paddle in front of the body
2. Backhand side-top spin serve--right spin
Preparation: 1. Forehand close-table flat shots
a. one foot away from the table Features:
b. right foot slightly forward, weight on left foot • It is powerful
c. left hand holds the ball at left-front of body • It is fast and gives opponent less time to prepare
d. right hand holds the paddle at left-front of body • It can hit bigger angles
• It blocks fast serves and shots easily
Applications of side-top spin serve
a. Keep the ball fast and spin-up sideways 2. Backhand close-table flat shots (Photo 9.2-9.4)
b. Serve to all four lines and two corners Features:
c. Change speed and angles to confuse opponent • It is used to deal with flat serves and shots
d. Use both forehand and backhand serves to confuse opponent • It has less power and speed than forehand
e. Combine with back-spin, back-side spin, and flat serves • It has more control on the placement
• It can hit wide angles
Return side-top spin serves • It can be very aggressive
a. Smash back if the serve is high • It blocks fast flat serves and shots easily
b. Quick spin block or push with paddle tilt sideways
c. Wait and return it off-table with loop or slice B. Pen-grip push
d. Loop up Features:
• It is fast
• It has more consistency and makes less mistakes
• It has more control on the placement
• It is, however, lack of power and speed
• It is, however, hard to reach far backhanded
• It blocks fast flat serves and shots easily

D. Pen-grip drive
Features:
• It uses the back of paddle and it is similar to the tennis grip
• It has more power than push shot

b. Off-table flat shots

-are similar to close-table shots except performed away from the
table for long shots.
-These shots can go very fast but the angles are not as big as the
close-table shots.
Applications of the flat shots
-Players often use these shots to attack, drive opponent far away
a. Hit fast to catch opponent off guard
from the table and make opponent less aggressive, and return off-
b. Hit fast to two corners and to the opponent’s body
table shots.
c. Force opponent to play fast with you and change his/her style
-These shots also can be used to press opponent to play fast and
d. find every chance to kill opponent’s shots
force opponent unprepared for using strong returns (such 65 as
loop).

Return flat shots

Features:
a. Smash back if the serve is high
• It has more powerful and smashes very hard
b. Block back if the serve is too fast
• It is used to deal with off-table flat shots and loop shots
c. Use flat shots to return
d. Avoid using slice shots to return
e. Return to opponent’s weak spots

Different type of Short Shots

1. Forehand off-table flat shots
a. SNAP SHOT
2. Backhand off-table flat shots
- similar to close-table shots and it is used often when opponent’s
Features:
shot is short and high over the table and close to the net.
• It is used to deal with flat serves and shots off the table -Players can perform this shot by using a forearm and wrist motion,
• The shot can be very fast and aggressive and it is more like a quick smash with small motions.
• It places the ball to corners and drive opponent off the table -People often catch the chance to use snap shots while they are
• It has more power when returning high shots doing chop rallies.
- The snap shot is very difficult to return since it is very close and
fast and opponent usually has no time to react. The only way to
B. Pen-grip traditional drive
return is to block.
Features:
• It is used to deal with flat serves and shots and loops
• It has more consistency and more control on the placement •
However, it lacks power and speed
• It is also more difficult to reach far at backhand

B. Pen-grip (new grip) drive

Features:
• It uses the back of paddle and it is similar to the tennis grip
• It has more power than push shot 1. Forehand snap shot
2. Backhand snap shot
Smash
Features: b. Short lift shots
• It is used to kill high shots -is similar to snap shots except it usually starts lower and has more
• It is very powerful scratching and lifting motion.
• It uses forehand most time -These shots allow players to lift the ball over the net when the shot
• It needs a pivot motion to hit the backhand side shots is short and low.
-Lifting shots can be returned effectively using snap, loop, or chop
shots.
Features:
• It is used to deal with very short and low shots and serves
• It can lift the ball over the net

1. Forehand lift shot

2. Backhand lift shot

Applications of the short shots

a. Be aggressive when opponent’s serve/shot is high and close to
the net
b. Lift up if the shot is too low or too close to the net 1. Forehand high loop shot
c. Hit angles to confuse opponent 2. Backhand high loop shot

Applications of the loop shots

Return short shots
a. To deal with low and backspin shots and serves
a. Snap back if the serve is high b. Lifts the ball up and attack immediately
b. Slice it if it is low and opponent is ready to snap c. Use more if opponent does not deal with it effectively
c. Hit angles d. Return to opponent’s weak spots d. Change the pace of the game aggressively

Loop (top spin) shots

-are faster and have very strong upward or forward top spin motion.
-The upward loop shots bounce up high and far as well as fast, and
forces opponent to back up from the table and play defensively with Return loop shots
weak returns since it is difficult for opponent to aim and smash. a. Smash back if the loop is high
-The forward loop shots bounce off the table low with a greater b. Fast return to opponent’s middle
speed and give opponent less time to prepare for a good return. c. Loop back
- Players mainly use loop shots to make the defensive players who d. Slice it low
e. Tilt push to cut off
use more slices to change their play from their favorite shots to
following the loop style and make more mistakes or weak returns. Backspin (slice & chop) shots
-The loop players tend to use this kind of shots to change from - are just the opposite of loop in terms of their spin motion.
defensive play to offensive play - Backspin shots are not powerful or fast, but are more consistent
and make fewer mistakes than offensive shots.
a. FAST LOOP -Furthermore, backspin shots fly with a back spin motion and
bounce very low and short, thus give opponent less chance to
smash.
-The defensive style players tend to use slice shots most time in
their play but they also use offensive shots whenever a return is
high.
- Players mainly use slice shots to reduce their own mistakes while
forcing opponent to have less patience therefore make more
mistakes, to make opponent less aggressive, and to force offensive
players to change their play from their offensive shots to defensive
play

a. Slice Shot
1. Forehand fast loop shot
2. Backhand fast loop shots

b. High Loop
1. Forehand snap chop
2. Backhand snap chop
1. Forehand off-table slice shot
2. Backhand off-table slice shot Applications of the backspin shots
a. Return low and backspin shots and serves
b. Chop shots b. Keep the shots low and short to avoid attacks
- is a slice shot except slice shot is usually long and the chop shot is c. Reduce mistakes and force opponent to slow down or make
short. mistakes
-usually performed with the off-table technique and travel far while d. Change the angles and length of the backspin
the chop shot is low and short. e. Attack when there is an opportunity
-The chops usually hit and land close to the net. The chop shot is not
as powerful or fast, but it is more consistent and makes fewer Return backspin shots
mistakes. a. Slice or chop back
-The chop shot also flies with a backspin motion and bounces very b. Loop it up and attack
low and short, thus it gives opponent no chance to smash or to be
aggressive. Combination shots
-Most players often use the chop shot in games to avoid being
smashed and to create chances to smash. (Very often players have to combine several skills together with
- Players also use chop shots to reduce their own mistakes while strategic purposes to win an inning. Players usually develop their
force opponent to make opponent less patience and consequently own style of combinations and based these combinations establish
make more mistakes, to make the opponent less aggressive, and to their unique styles
force offensive players to change their play style to defensive play.
a. Push then pivot attack
It mainly uses the backhand to push the ball for good placement,
and then catch any chances to use forehand to smash or loop.

Features:
• It is aggressive at the forehand and backhand sides
• It effectively controls the placements before the attack
• It is consistent and make fewer mistakes

b. Backhand push then forehand attack

1. Forehand chop shot It mainly uses the backhand to push the ball for good placement and
2. Backhand chop shot to defend, then catches chances to attack with forehand smash or
loop shots.
c. Snap chop
- is a very short chop shot and tries to keep the chop very low and Features:
shot so that opponent has no chance to attack at all. • It is aggressive at the forehand side
-This shot has no back swing and the forward swing motion is very • It is defensive but consistent at backhand side
small. • It makes less mistakes on backhand

c.Chop, lift, and attack

It mainly uses backhand and forehand chops to make shots short
and low, and then catches any chances to lift the ball for the next
attack with loop or smash.

Features:
• It uses short chops in rally to create chances for attacks
• It lifts the ball up for offensive shots Features: This style mainly uses push shots to place the ball with
• It changes the play from defense to offense speed and placement and then uses forehand aggressive shots to
attack. Backhand push and forehand attack players mainly use this
d. Chop and snap style to deal with an aggressive opponent of the same or loop style.
It mainly uses short and low chops to prevent any smashes from an
opponent and catches any chances to snap or smash if opponent’s Techniques: This style can use continuous backhand push and
return is high. forehand attack. It can also use backhand push and pivot attack

Features: A. Backhand push and forehand attack

• It uses short chops in rally to reduce mistakes B. Backhand push and pivot attack
• It attacks with snap shots when the return is high
• It is safe but can be aggressive when there is a chance Tactics:
• Use backhand push to place the shots continuously to force
e. Lift and attack mistakes
It is mainly use high loop shots to lift up low slices, and then catches • Catch any chance to attack with strong forehand shots
any chances to attack with fast loops or smashes.
Tips:
Features: • Change lines, placements, and pace to lead the game and to
• It is used to deal with slice players create chances for smashes.
• It forces opponent to change the pace and height of the shots • Push opponent's backhand first then attack the forehand.
• Use power push to attack the middle to make opponent returning
f. Slice and attack with weak shots then attack.
It mainly uses slice shots to keep the ball low and keep opponent • Catch every chance to smash since this is the main scoring
away from the table so that opponent can not be aggressive. Then technique.
whenever there is opportunity, the player should attack back • Stay close to the table but remain flexible.
immediately with flat shots, smashes, or loop shots. • When dealing with loop style player, stay close to the table, use
quick push, powerful push and reduced-power push to control the
Features: placement. Then catch chances to smash.
• It is mainly used by slice type players
• It can makes opponent less aggressive 2. Close-table forehand and backhand fast attacks
• It looks for chances to attack back
• It is very consistent and make less mistakes Features: This style uses speed and power from both forehand and
backhand to attack opponent, and then create or catch chances to
STRATEGIES smash. Most time the close-table, pen-grip fast attack player like
former Chinese champions use this style. Recently the tennis-grip,
A. Single Game Strategies loop style players also use this strategy.

General basic strategies Techniques: Alternatively use backhand and forehand attacks
1. Use your best serves and shots in games to ensure your best play continuously. When the ball is low or there is no chance to attack,
and reduce mistakes. use push or block shots and wait for opportunities
2. Players can change serves and shots to keep opponent guessing
what your next motion will be. Tactics:
3. Change speed, power, lines and placement of the shots and • Attack the backhand then smash the forehand.
serves to avoid opponent getting used to them. • Attack two corners then smash the middle.
4. Combine spin and flat serves to force opponent make more
mistakes. Tips:
5. Attack opponent's weakness. • Change lines and placement.
6. Avoid the strength of opponent. For example, hit to the backhand • Mainly attack opponent's backhand to create chance to smash
if the opponent is strong at forehand, or use more short chop shots forehand or middle.
if opponent is very aggressive. • Catch every chance to smash.
7. Hit to the openings, weak side, and weak spots (such as • Stay close to the table when in offense, and stay back when in
opponent's body). defense.
• Stay close to the table when dealing with loop style players. Use
Different styles and their strategies quick push to press the loop shots then use more power to smash.

1. Close-table fast push and attack style 3. Lift and attack

Features: This style mainly uses lifting shots to bring the ball up Tactics:
then attack aggressively. It is mainly used to deal with the slice, • Use short chops continuously.
defensive type of players. This combination changes the pace of the • Catch chances to use snap or smash.
game and force opponent to follow your playing style. Most time • Change lines and speed of the chops.
the close-table, pen-grip fast attack players and loop style players
use this strategy against defensive players who use slices most time. Tips:
• Be patient and wait for the good opportunities.
Techniques: Uses forehand or backhand high loops to lift up and use • Start attacks as early as possible.
forehand or backhand smashes, flat shots, or fast loops to attack. • Catch every good chance to smash.
The lifting up motion should not very powerful in case it goes too far • Make chops short and low so that opponent cannot attack first.
out. On the other hand, the soft lifting shots can be smashed easily.
6. Slice and attack
Tactics:
• quick lift then smash. Features: It combines slice and attacking shots together. It usually
• Lift to opponent’s weak side. uses long slice shots to corners to make opponent stay away from
the table and less aggressive, and then catch or create chances for
Tips: attacks. It can also use consistent, low, and changing slice shots to
• Use less power for lifting shot and use more power for the smash. force opponent to lift while in move then attack back. Most
• Change lines and placements to move opponent for opportunities. defensive players use this strategy.
• Catch every chance to smash the middle or the weak side.
• Be patient; do not smash hard if the opportunity is poor. Techniques: Use long slice shots to keep the ball low but long or
short and make opponent impatient and make mistakes or hit high,
then use smash of loop shots to attack any high shots
4. Lift, smash, and drop
Tactics:
Features: It combines the lifting shots and smash with drop shots. • Use long slice to the backhand corner, then use forehand to
The lift, smash, and drop are usually used by the fast style players or attack.
loop style players to deal with slice type players. • Use long slices to hit two corners to make opponent move then
attack.
Techniques: Uses forehand to lift the shots and force opponent to • Use long slices and short chops to confuse the opponent. Tips:
hit high shots. Then use forehand or backhand to smash to force • Combine spin and flat shots to make the opponent hit high. • Keep
opponent to stay far back, and then suddenly use a short drop when the slice low to avoid smashes.
opponent is forced to stay far back away from the table. • Make opponent move side to side, or back and forth, and then
catch chances to attack.
Tactics:
• Lift the ball carefully without much risk of being smashed. 7. Serve and attack
• Catch any chances to smash.
• Make sudden drop shots after continuous smash. Features: It mainly changes the patterns (spin or flat), lines,
• After making drop shots, be ready to catch the next opportunity. placements, and speed of serves to force the opponent to hit back
with weak returns or make mistakes. Then the serve can take
Tips: advantage of the weak returns or mistakes. The strategy focuses on
• Make drops when opponent is forced to stay away from the table. the first three shots to control the game and to score. This strategy
• Make the drop short and low. was used by fast style players but nowadays is used by most players.
• Target at opponent's body when smashing if opponent is close to
the table to return the drops. Techniques: Uses various serves of flat and spins at different speed,
spin, power, and placement from different corners to force
5. Chop and attack opponent make mistakes, and then catch any opportunities to
attack when the opponent’s return is not good. Whenever finding
Features: This style uses short, low, quick and changing chop shots which serve(s) opponent does not return well, you should keep
to control the game and make opponent less aggressive. Then using it until the opponent adapts to it.
players use quick push or snap to start the attack, and then catch
every chance to smash. Players of all styles use this strategy today. Tactics:
• Combine spin and flat serve together.
Techniques: Uses short chops shots to keep the ball low and short • Use fast serves to attack both corners.
(over the table) and make opponent impatient and force mistakes • Use short serves to make opponent to lift up then attack.
or hit high, then use snap shots to attack any short but high shots or • Keep identical motions when using different serves.
smash over the high but long shots. • Use different serves to keep opponent guessing and under
pressure.
4. One close table player and one off-table player. This pairing
Tips: can reduce the chances of bumping, and make up each
• Move opponent with different serves to different corners. other's weakness. Examples include one close table fast style
• Be ready to attack after the serve. player and a middle range loop player, or a fast style player
• Know how opponent will return each serve for better preparation.
and an off table slice player.
8. Loop with forehand and backhand
Rotations
Features: It mainly use loop shots to force opponent to back up In a doubles game, the players have to take turns hitting the
away from the table and return high or fast loops. This style forces ball with their partner. After each shot, a player has to move
opponent to change their original patterns and rhythms and to out so that the partner can get into the best position for the
follow the loop player on long and high shots which they do not like. next shot. It is very important that both players establish an
Then the serve can take advantage of the weak returns or mistakes. effective rotation pattern and alternative rotation patterns.
This is an effective style to deal with slice type of players. This style
is also often combined with the close table fast-attack style to 1. Circular Rotations
control both the close-table and off-table plays. Each player moves in a circular
way behind the partner after
Techniques: Use both fast and high loops with forehand and
backhand on serves and shots. If combined with the fast-attack
each shot and should be ready
style, also use close table pushes, flat shots, and other skills. to move up and hit. Both
players move the same way and
two left-handed or right handed
aggressive players can use this movement.
Tactics:
• Use loops whenever there is a chance 2. Up and Down Rotations
• Change high and fast loops to confuse opponent Each player moves toward table in
• Force opponent to follow your rhythm and pace a diagonal way to return a shot
• Keep identical motions when using different loops
then back up the same way. One
• Use different loops and other shots to keep opponent guessing
and under pressure.
left-handed and one right-handed
pair use this rotation.
Tips:
• Change lines and paces 3. T-Rotations
• Attack opponent's body and away from opponent The front person moves
• Catch every chance to smash sideways and the back person
moves back and forth. Mostly
B. DOUBLE GAME STRATEGIES pairs of one fast style player
(front) and one loop style player
Pairing (back), or one close-table
There are different pairing patterns for table tennis. Each offensive player (front) and one
pairing pattern has unique characteristics and players should slice style player (back) use this
try and find their best partner. rotation.

1. Both players of the same styles. This pairing can make both 4. Triangle Rotations
players work together very well. Examples include two fast Each player using this rotation
style players, two slice style players, or two loop players. pattern moves to sides to return
shot, then step back to the middle
2. Two players of different styles. This pairing can confuse for the next shot in a triangle way.
opponents and make it difficult for opponents to get used to It is used often to return angles
the changes. Examples include one fast style player and one shots to sides and it is similar to the
loop player, or a loop player and a slice player. circular rotation.

3. One right-handed and one left-handed style. This pairing Teamwork and Strategies
can reduce the movement and avoid bumping into each 1. Establish a good rotation and movement patterns.
other. 2. Create chances for your partner when returning a shot or
serve.
3. Cover your partner's weaknesses.
4. Attack the weaker opponent.
5. Hit to the opponent who just finished the shot and is
moving away.
6. Use your best serves and shots in games to ensure your
best play and reduce mistakes.
7. Change serves and shots to keep opponents guessing what
the next motion will be.
8. Change speed, power, lines and placement of the shots
and serves to avoid opponents adapting to them.
9. Combine spin and flat serves to force opponent make
more mistakes.
10. Attack opponents’ weaknesses.
11. Avoid the strength of opponent. For example, hit to the
backhand if opponent is strong at forehand, or use more short
chop shots if opponent is very aggressive.
12. Hit to the openings, weak side, and an opponent's body.