Staying Close to the Table

Hung Diep Asked 15 years ago

Hi Alois. Whenever I play a shot, I seem to move backwards. Is this good or bad? Also, should you try to stay close to the table? Whenever I try, my topspin strokes hit the net.

Alois Rosario Answered 15 years ago

Hi Hung,

You should try to stay quite stable when playing your strokes. If you are moving backwards you are often allowing your opponent to gain the initiative.

Think about keeping your right foot still when you are playing your stroke. When the right foot moves it often goes backwards and then you stat to move your whole body away from the table.

Especially when you are close to the table, try to keep your legs low. This will help to lift the ball over the net because your bat will start a little lower and be able to gain better lift.

← When to become defensive player? Point of Impact →

Recommended Video

How to Win Close Table Tennis Matches (9–9 Strategy Explained)

What should you do when the score is 9–9 or deuce? One point can be the difference between victory and frustration. In this video, we break down how to win close table tennis matches with a smart, pressure-tested strategy.

🏓 In this video, you'll learn:

Why pressure changes everything at 9–9
What top players do differently in close games
The 3 biggest mistakes players make at deuce (and how to fix them)
Simple drills to train your mind and body for high-pressure points

🎯 Takeaway: Winning close matches isn’t about playing harder—it’s about playing smarter.

💬 Question for you:
What’s your go-to serve or tactic at 9–9? Or… what mistake do you often make in tight matches? Let us know in the comments!

Watch Now

Hung Diep Posted 15 years ago

Thanks for the advice. Keep up the good work!

Jo Boermans Posted 15 years ago

if you still have problems with that, i have a solution ;) Maybe not a good one, but for me it helped.

put the table in the room with your side near a well.

so you play between the table and the wall. When you try to step back, you will hit the wall, and you must stay close to the table.