Training and tactics
Drills to improve at table tennis, alone or with a partner, and tactics to win more points
Training and tacticsTable tennis training plan for beginnersAn 8-week table tennis training plan for beginners: 60-minute sessions, drills with reps, weekly goals and simple ways to track your progressTraining and tacticsDoubles strategy: movement and communicationTable tennis and ping pong doubles strategy: how to move without colliding, the best pairing, where to place the ball, serving and communicationTraining and tacticsThe Falkenberg drill in table tennis: step by step, sets and variationsThe Falkenberg drill explained: backhand, pivot forehand and wide forehand, the footwork for each ball, sets, variations and common mistakesTraining and tacticsHow to play against a chopper in table tennisHow to beat a chopper in table tennis: vary your loop spin, attack the middle, use short drops and pick the right ball to kill, plus drills to train itTraining and tacticsHow to beat a pusherHow to beat a pusher in table tennis and ping pong: why pushers win, the slow spinny loop plan, the right serve, patience and drills to practiceTraining and tacticsHow to get better at ping pong faster: what actually makes a differenceHow to get better at ping pong fast: focused practice, serve and return, your weakest stroke, different opponents, video, the right paddle and restTraining and tacticsHow to improve your reflexes for ping pong (and why anticipation matters more)How to improve reflexes for ping pong: ready position, reading your opponent, reaction drills with and without a table, and what slows you downTraining and tacticsHow to play against a hard hitterHow to beat a hard hitter in table tennis and ping pong: deny high balls, block firm, use heavy backspin, change the pace and keep a cool headTraining and tacticsHow to play against a left-handed playerHow to play against a left-handed table tennis player: why lefties feel awkward, the mirrored angles, where to attack, which serves to useTraining and tacticsHow to play against long pipsHow to play against long pips in table tennis: why spin comes back reversed, how to read the ball, where to attack, and drills to practice against pimplesTraining and tacticsHow to practice table tennis alone (with or without a table)How to practice ping pong alone: serve practice, playback mode, wall drills, shadow strokes and footwork, with times, reps and a weekly solo planTraining and tacticsHow to prepare for a table tennis tournament: weeks before, night before and match dayHow to prepare for a table tennis tournament: training in the weeks before, a legal paddle, what to pack, warm-up, food and mindset on the dayTraining and tacticsIntermediate table tennis drills: 8 drills to get past the plateauIntermediate table tennis drills: semi-random patterns, forehand to backhand transition, short and long, counter-looping and third ball attackTraining and tacticsHow to learn by watching table tennis matches: what to look forHow to learn by watching table tennis matches: what to look for in serves, returns, footwork and tactics, how to take notes and where to watchTraining and tacticsMultiball training: how it works and drills to tryWhat multiball training is in table tennis, how to feed balls well, and 6 multiball drills with sets, timing and goals for beginners and club playersTraining and tacticsBasic tactics: serve and third-ball attackWhat the third ball attack in table tennis is and how to use your serve to set it up: 4 tactical patterns, diagrams and drills with reps and goalsTraining and tacticsTable tennis drills at home: space, gear and a 30-minute workoutTable tennis drills at home with a full table, a folding table in playback mode, a portable net or no table at all, plus safety tips and a 30-minute planTraining and tacticsTable tennis drills with a partner: 8 ping pong drills for two playersTable tennis drills with a partner: crosscourt, down the line, one-to-two, push, loop against block, serve and return, plus a 60-minute sessionTraining and tacticsTable tennis drills without a table: 7 exercises you can do anywhereTable tennis drills without a table: shadow play in match patterns, floor marks for footwork, spin on the floor, ball control, wall drills and fitnessTraining and tacticsTable tennis injuries: where they show up and how to prevent themCommon table tennis injuries: why the shoulder, elbow, wrist, lower back, knees and ankles get overloaded, how to prevent it and when to see a professionalTraining and tacticsThe mental game in table tennisThe table tennis mental game: a between-point routine, breathing, handling nerves, mistakes and deuce at 10-10, and how to do mental training at practiceTraining and tacticsTable tennis playing stylesThe main table tennis playing styles: looper, counter-hitter, blocker, all-rounder and chopper, with strengths, weaknesses and the equipment each one usesTraining and tacticsTable tennis robots: are they worth it?Is a ping pong robot worth it? Types of table tennis robots, what to check before buying, pros and limits, and drills to practice with oneTraining and tacticsStretches for table tennis: what to do before and after you playTable tennis stretches: moving mobility drills before you play and 10 gentle stretches after, for shoulders, forearms, trunk, hips and legsTraining and tacticsTable tennis training log: how to track your practice and progressTable tennis training log: what to write after each session and match, a template to copy, simple numbers to track progress and how to review themTraining and tactics12 table tennis tips to win more pointsPing pong tips and tricks to win more points: serve, return, placement on the three targets, spin variation and how to find your opponent's weak spotTraining and tacticsTable tennis warm-up and fitnessA 15-minute table tennis warm-up routine plus fitness exercises for legs, core and shoulders, with sets, times and a sample weekly plan