Are you gearing up for the ultimate family showdown, aiming to finally outplay Dad at table tennis? Or perhaps you’ve noticed the kids’ skills sharpening at an alarming rate, edging closer to dethroning your reign over the ping-pong table. Whether you’re a complete novice or someone who’s been casually rallying back and forth but never quite mastered the spin or serve, these tips are for you. With the right guidance and practice, you can transform your game from predictable to formidable, ensuring you’re not just another easy win.
At Kettler, we create indoor and outdoor table tennis tables that bring families together, spark competitive spirits, and foster skills that last a lifetime. Sized to international tournament standards and made with high-quality craftsmanship, if you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at table tennis or desire a setup that can tough out all sorts of weather, we have everything you need to get started and make it last for summers to come.
With our table tennis setup and these top 10 tips, let’s set the groundwork for you to become a formidable opponent at the table.
1. Warm Up
You’d be surprised at how much hard work goes into a game of table tennis, and you should physically prepare your body for that. Make sure you stretch if you’re looking to go toe-to-toe with the children – no one wants to forfeit due to injury.
2. Learn Different Ways to Serve
Your serve can put you at a great advantage. If you practise enough to perfect your serve you can put your opponent on the backfoot from the get-go. You can switch up your serve to keep your opponent guessing, going from backspin and topspin serves to backhand and forehand serves. It could be just the strategy to crack a tough opponent.
3. Solo Practice
Table tennis can sometimes be a game of patience, if you stay in the game long enough your chances will improve. Practice your forehand and backhand strokes to ensure you are comfortable with whatever balls come flying your way. With our table tennis tables, you can effortlessly fold up one side to allow you to play solo with a wall, ensuring you can practice at any time.
4. Don’t Go for the ‘Hail Mary’
It’s good to be on the offensive, and the temptation to go for the killer move is constant in the heat of the game. However, what separates the good from the great is the ability to stay in the game and pick your moment wisely.
5. It’s All in the Feet
Footwork is everything, be mindful of being on your toes ready to position yourself for whatever comes your way. Keep your weight on your toes to be able to move forward more readily, and bend your knees to give you better balance.
6. Deceive Your Opponent
Like any sport, if you’re predictable, you become easier to play against. Being unpredictable is hard, but if you practice different strokes you have a better chance of deceiving your opponent with an unexpected shot that sails past them.
7. Try and Read Their Game
As you try to deceive your opponent, table tennis is also about trying to anticipate their game and find weaknesses. Whether it’s your 8-year-old son or your partner, everyone’s got a weakness, and there’s no shame in exploiting it to win your bragging rights.
8. Develop Your Spin Game
Master the movement of the ball to be able to hit the ball with a curve and send it in another direction once it bounces. Putting spin in your serve can really add a new dimension to your game… it also looks really cool!
9. Focus on Your Mental Game
Table tennis isn’t just a physical challenge; it’s also a mental one. Staying calm and focused under pressure can make a significant difference in your performance. Practice mindfulness to improve your concentration and reduce pressure during matches. Remember, a strong mental game can turn the tide of a match in your favour.
10. Practice, Practice, Practice
The secret to improving in table tennis is the same core principle as any other sport. Everybody starts with little knowledge of the game but attains skills and confidence through regular practice. Here at Kettler, we provide a range of high-quality indoor table tennis tables and outdoor table tennis tables so you can practise all year round. Follow these 10 steps and you’ll turn into a formidable opponent and secure bragging rights in the family.
