How to play table tennis (ping pong): a beginner's guide

Learning how to play table tennis is quicker than it looks. In one afternoon you can rally, serve legally and keep score. Getting good takes longer, but the foundation is the same for everyone: hold the paddle well, be ready before the ball arrives and understand how it has to bounce.

This guide shows how to play table tennis (or ping pong) from scratch, in the order things happen in a match.

What you need

• A table with a net (ideally regulation size, but any table works to start).
• One paddle per player. For beginners, a pre-made paddle is fine.
• 40 mm balls. Get a few spares, because they dent and disappear under furniture.
• Shoes with good grip and some room behind the table to move.

Step 1: hold the paddle

The most popular grip in the world is the shakehand grip, which feels like a handshake. Your thumb rests on one side of the paddle, your index finger on the other side near the edge of the rubber, and your other three fingers wrap around the handle.

Hold it firmly but not tightly. A tense hand makes the stroke stiff and kills control. There is also the penhold grip, popular in Asia. Both are explained in table tennis grip.

Step 2: get into the ready position

Stand about one step from the table, feet a little wider than your shoulders, knees bent and weight on the balls of your feet. Keep the paddle in front of you at table height. From here you can move right, left and back without losing balance.

The most common beginner mistake is playing with straight legs. See this and others in common beginner mistakes.

Step 3: understand how the ball must bounce

This is the rule that defines table tennis:

• On the serve, the ball bounces first on your side and then on your opponent's side.
• During the rally, the ball goes straight over the net and bounces only once, on the side of the player returning it.

If it bounces twice on your side, or you hit it before it bounces, the point goes to your opponent.

Step 4: serve

1. Stand behind the end line with the ball resting on your open palm.
2. Toss the ball up, almost vertically, at least 16 cm (about 6 inches).
3. Hit the ball as it falls, so it bounces first on your side.
4. The ball crosses the net and bounces on your opponent's side. The point has started.

In singles, the serve can go anywhere. In doubles, it must go diagonally from your right half to your opponent's right half. Each player serves 2 points in a row. The full rules are in table tennis serve rules.

Step 5: return the ball

For your first strokes, think of two movements:

• Forehand: the ball comes to the side of your paddle hand. Turn your upper body slightly, take the paddle back and hit forward and a little upward, finishing near your forehead.
• Backhand: the ball comes to the other side. The paddle starts in front of your stomach and the stroke comes from the elbow, forward and short.

Start slowly and aim for the middle of the table. Speed comes later. The goal for now is to keep the ball going back and forth.

Step 6: keep score

How to play table tennis doubles

In doubles the rules are the same, with two differences: the serve must go diagonally, and partners take turns hitting the ball. After you hit, move out of the way so your partner can step in. Agreeing on who stays closer to the table helps a lot.

Tips to improve faster

• Play with someone slightly better than you. They return more balls, so you practice more.
• Practice your serve alone: it is the only stroke that depends only on you.
• Watch your opponent's paddle at contact. That is where you read the spin.
• Do sets: try 20 forehand crosscourt balls in a row, then backhand.

Once the basics are solid, the next step is learning spin and following a beginner training plan.

Frequently asked questions