Strokes

Service - There are no specifications as to the type of service used but the most effective serves put a spin on the ball using the wrist:

• Backspin Serve - the racket is aimed upwards, as in a drive, slicing the bottom of the ball.

• Topspin Serve - the racket’s surface is aimed downwards making contact with the top of the ball.

• Sidespin Serve - the ball is hit either from right-to-left or from left-to-right with the racket making contact with the bottom of the ball.

The Forehand Drive - An offensive stroke, the forehand (and backhand) drive produces a low ball making a return very difficult when played correctly. With the upper arm staying close to the body the forearm should be drawn back to the approximate 3 o’clock position, turning the waist with the arm and putting the weight on the right foot. The arm should then be swung, allowing the waist to turn with the swing and the weight to transfer on to the left foot. The racket should make contact with the ball to the side of the body with a closed racket (at a slight downwards angle) and should be parallel with the left shoulder at the end of the follow-through. (For left handed players the directions are the same but use the opposite side of the body.)

The Backhand Drive- The backhand drive is performed in the opposite direction to the forehand drive. The waist should turn slightly to the left and the racket swung to the approximate 9 o’clock position. Contact with the ball should be made in front of the body, bringing the forearm forward at a slightly upward angle. Keeping the left foot ahead of the right, the racket should end in the 12 o’clock position after the follow through. (For left handed players the directions are the same but use the opposite side of the body.)

The Block - This is used when there is inadequate time for a proper drive. A block is executed immediately after the bounce, as a way of using the speed of the opponent's shot against them, by bringing the racket close to block the ball’s path but maintaining its speed and control.

The Smash- The smash is the most powerful of all table tennis strokes and is used when the opponent makes a short high shot. In order to execute a smash, the player must make contact with the ball when it is at the highest point of its bounce, using maximum power from the forearm and wrist to bring the racket down on top of the ball.

The Forehand/Backhand Smash- these use the same techniques as the forehand and backhand drive

The Forehand Push- The forehand (and backhand) push is a defensive shot, used against low close balls and to return the ball to a difficult place on the table. When executing the forehand push, the racket should be brought back with an open racket (at a slightly upwards angle) with the elbow at waist level and the wrist bent backwards. The racket should then be brought down and the wrist snapped swiftly forward. The racket should make contact with the ball immediately after it bounces, ideally returning the ball quickly at a very low angle.

The Backhand Push - To execute the backhand push, the racket should be swung back and up towards the stomach, with the wrist moving forward as with the forehand push, making contact with the ball in front of the body. As with the forehand push, the stroke should be gentle to avoid the ball going too high and allowing the opponent to smash the ball on the return.