In Table Tennis one of the important things to learn is where to stand at the table.

How far from the table?

For beginners a good distance is one where you can just touch the table when in your ready position. This will allow you to reach the shorter balls as well as cover the balls that are deep on the table with just one movement.

How far across

As a guide stand, when you are in the ready position again, stand where your bat touches the middle line. Again this will enable you to cover the table with one movement. A step to the left or a step to the right.

In a game

In a game situation you will learn where to stand depending on the shot you have played. Think about the angles that your opponent can hit the ball. You need to place yourself in the middle of the angle. So imagine if you have hit the ball very wide to your opponents forehand side. They can get you back wide on your forehand but not so wide on your backhand side. So it is no use standing wide out on your backhand side. Cover the angles that are most likely from your opponent.

You also need to look at how far back from the table you need to be. The more likely they are to play a strong shot the further back you are likely to need to be. The ultimate is if you lob the ball up, go further back to give yourself more time to see the ball and reach it. Similarly if you have played a low effective push close to the net it is no use running back to the back barrier to retrieve the next ball. Of course most of table tennis is in between this.

This skill takes a while to master. It only comes with playing lots of matches and then being able to read what is going to happen. Don’t worry if this is not happening naturally straight away.