BASIC SKILLS IN

TABLE TENNIS
 FOREHAND PUSH
The Stance

Feet should be slightly wider than shoulder width apart.

If right-handed, the right foot should be slightly further back
than the left.
Knees should be slightly bent.
Body should be leaning forward.
Both arms should be out in front of you.
About a 90-110 degree bend at the elbow.
Stand quite close to the table, an arms length away.
Weight distributed on both feet and on the balls/toes, not heels
 FOREHAND PUSH
The Backswing

 Bring your bat backwards and out to the side of your

body.
 Create a slightly open bat angle.
 Keep your wrist straight.
 You should have a small gap between your elbow and
hip.
 Try to keep your playing arm slightly in front of your
body, you don’t need a big backswing for the push.
 FOREHAND PUSH
The Strike

 The shot is played slightly to the side of the body, not directly in front of
you.
 The arm moves forwards, to meet the ball.
 The movement comes predominantly from the elbow and forearm.
 The bat angle stays open throughout the shot.
 Take the ball at the peak of the bounce (or slightly earlier) and out in
front of you.
 Maintain a small gap between the elbow and the body.
 To get less spin you can play slightly more down the back of the ball.
 To generate slightly more spin you can play more underneath the ball.
 FOREHAND PUSH
The Finish

 Follow through forwards, towards the net.

 Your bat should finish pointing where you have hit the
ball.
 Don’t let your arm swing across your body to the left.
 You will likely have also played downwards slightly, so
the bat will be closer to the table now than it was
during the backswing or strike phases.
 Always get back to the ready position.
 BACKHAND PUSH
The Stance

Feet should be slightly wider than shoulder width apart.

If right-handed, the right foot should be slightly further back
than the left.
Knees should be slightly bent.
Body should be leaning forward.
Both arms should be out in front of you.
About a 90-110 degree bend at the elbow.
Stand quite close to the table, an arms length away.
Weight distributed on both feet and on the balls/toes, not heels
 BACKHAND PUSH
The Backswing

 Bring your bat backwards, towards your chest

 Create a slightly open bat angle.
 Keep your wrist straight.
 The angle at your elbow will be quite closed.
 BACKHAND PUSH
The Strike

 The shot is played directly in front of the body.

 The arm moves forwards, to meet the ball.
 The movement comes predominantly from the elbow.
 The bat angle stays open throughout the shot.
 Take the ball at the peak of the bounce (or slightly earlier) and
out in front of you.
 To get less spin you can play slightly more down the back of
the ball.
 To generate slightly more spin you can play more underneath
the ball with a “brushing” action.
 BACKHAND PUSH
The Finish

 Follow through forwards, towards the net.

 Your bat should finish pointing where you have hit the
ball.
 Don’t let your arm swing across your body to the right.
 You will likely have also played downwards slightly, so
the bat will be closer to the table now than it was
during the backswing or strike phases.
 Always get back to the ready position.
 REFERENCE

https://www.experttabletennis.com