Table tennis is a sport that requires a combination of skills including agility, coordination, speed, and strategy. To improve your skills and take your game to the next level, it is essential to incorporate drills into your training routine.
Once you’ve learned the basics you can start to have longer rallies and have more fun.
In this article, we will introduce you to 11 table tennis drills that will help you develop your skills and improve your game.
I. Warm-up Drills
- Side-to-Side Footwork Drill: This drill is meant to warm up your body and get your heart rate up. Stand in the center of the table and move side to side as quickly as you can, touching each side of the table with your racket.
II. Serving Drills
- Serve and Follow Drill: This drill is meant to improve your accuracy and consistency in serving. Serve the ball to the opponent’s side of the table, and then follow up with a forehand or backhand attack.
III. Forehand and Backhand Drills
- Forehand to Forehand Rally Drill: This drill is meant to improve your forehand stroke and consistency. Rally with your partner using only forehand strokes, and try to keep the ball in play for as long as possible.
- Backhand to Backhand Rally Drill: This drill is meant to improve your backhand stroke and consistency. Rally with your partner using only backhand strokes, and try to keep the ball in play for as long as possible.
IV. Footwork Drills
- Around the World Drill: This drill is meant to improve your footwork and agility. Stand at the center of the table and move around the table in a circular motion, hitting the ball with alternating forehand and backhand strokes.
V. Timing and Coordination Drills
- Shadow Play Drill: This drill is meant to improve your timing and coordination. Stand in front of a mirror and practice your strokes and footwork, paying attention to your form and technique.
- Ball Toss Drill: This drill is meant to improve your timing and coordination. Toss the ball into the air and hit it with a forehand or backhand stroke, focusing on timing and follow-through.
VI. Multiball Drills
- Random Block and Loop Drill: This drill is meant to improve your reactions and consistency. Have a partner feed you balls randomly, and practice blocking and looping the balls with your forehand and backhand strokes.
- Push and Chop Drill: This drill is meant to improve your control and consistency. Have a partner feed you balls that require either a push or a chop stroke, and practice your control and consistency with these strokes.
VII. Match Play Drills
- Point Play Drill: This drill is meant to simulate game situations and improve your strategy and mental toughness. Play a game with your partner, focusing on tactics and strategy, and trying to win the point.
VIII. Cool-Down Drills
- Seated Butterfly Stretch: This drill is meant to cool down your body and prevent injury. Sit on the floor with your feet together and your knees bent, and use your elbows to press your knees down towards the ground.
Final thoughts
Incorporating these drills into your table tennis training routine will help you improve your skills and take your game to the next level. Remember to focus on your form and technique, and to practice consistently to see the best results.
Check out other articles I’ve written on table tennis on the subjects of choosing the best paddle and how to maintain your equipment.