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Learn How to Move and Win at Table Tennis

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Table Tennis Store
Learn How to Move and Win at Table Tennis

Ping pong tables are in an increasing number of places these days, and nearly all of us have picked up a racket and played a game. If you love the sport and want to advance as a player, it's time to acquire some table tennis equipment and learn more. To begin playing better, you need to work on grip (the way you hold your racket), footwork, and stance. They're all essential to improving your game, and the surest way to improve is to practice each one independently. Each one is used when you play practice games, but isolating them in training drills helps you improve faster. Try it, and you'll see how it helps.

Starting with table tennis racket grips, you have the European and American shake-hands style and the traditional Asian penhold. It works just like it sounds – you grip the racket between the thumb and forefinger, similar to how you hold a pen. The shake-hands grip, which is also gaining popularity inside Asia, is held in a relaxed manner. Try both to see what you think. Settling on a grip is essential for beginning players. You'll have more wrist action with the penhold, and it helps add a spin to your shots. You can watch demonstration videos online to learn more; coaches and others have filmed them.

Good table tennis playing form also includes the proper stance. The quickest and most general way to describe optimal stance is to say keep low and wide. It puts you more at the level of the table and the ball. Standing up fully puts you above both and, therefore, higher than you want to be. You'll want to practice good stance as often as possible to build up the endurance to do it for extended play periods. Try to keep your feet 1.5 shoulder widths apart ad your center of gravity lower. You might read or hear a coach refer to the ready position as a way to describe proper stance. Always keep your body relaxed.

Professional table tennis players work on footwork to support highly competitive play. It plays a significant role in good movement in the sport. Because you move only small distances to play ping pong, good footwork is about subtle moves. Try training drills to learn side steps because it may not feel natural at first. Good balance is also required, and everything works together. Each of these areas is introduced in excellent training videos available online. If there is a table tennis center in your area, you can begin playing there to meet others who take the sport seriously. You can learn from them also.

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