Basic Practice Stroke:

As the name applies, this stroke is the basic stroke of all strokes in Table Tennis. It develops a player’s control abilities and lets players warm up. Sometimes players called “quick attack players” (who typically use short pimples on the forehand), use this stroke very aggressively. This stroke is also sometimes referred to as an attack. The stroke builds up the basic control in both forehand and backhand.

Main Points:

-Make sure you use your waist when you do the stroke. Turn your waist by putting the weight on your right foot (if your right handed), and then to your left foot as you twist your waist (Not your shoulders). Also be sure to bend your legs a little and keep your weight on the front part of your feet.

-The forearm is brought back (not the elbow or the big arm) and then snaps back. However, the motion does not need to be big, it needs to be a quick motion. The elbow about a fist and a half away from the body and moves in a semi-circular motion as to move with the body.  

 -Some topspin is needed. To give some topspin to the ball, the paddle is closed a when contact is made. Do not graze and put to much spin on the ball, as the basic stroke is mostly a “hit” to generate basic control. When you follow-through, generally, the paddle ends up around the left eye (if your right-handed).

-For the backhand, the elbow must be ahead of the paddle when starting back. Then, mostly the forearm is used when hitting the ball. The paddle should start around the stomach area and some topspin should be added by turning the paddle on contact. Again, this stroke should be quick not big.

-Quickness comes from being loose and then being “quick” on moment of contact. The torso and from the elbow down should be loose.

Additional tip: when you play or warm-up, it is a good idea to always move your feet around after every stroke. This is to always be ready for the next shot. When you watch professional matches, when the ball is put to the same spot, the player still moves a little bit because he is always ready for the next shot anywhere on the table. Players just give a little shuffle just to get ready.