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Which Strokes Should I Learn First?

Training

lachie ruscoe
lachie ruscoe Asked 15 years ago

hey guys, im a quite a new player to the game but a pretty good player. I need to know some easy shots i should start off with and then gradually play more shots, i am good at side spin but have to work on topspin, side-spin and pace shots, please give me an idea of what shots i should try and learn.

(i love your video's)

thanks, lachie 

Jeff Plumb
Member Badge Jeff Plumb Answered 15 years ago

Hi Lachie,

Start with the 4 basic strokes, The Forehand Counterhit, The Backhand Counterhit, Forehand Push and Backhand Push. After this learn the Forehand Topspin and then the Backhand Topspin.

With regards to the sidespin strokes, don't focus on these. Stick to the basics which will provide you with a much more consistent base to build upon. 

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Thoughts on this question (8)

lachie ruscoe

lachie ruscoe Posted 15 years ago

thanks soooooo much guys :)
Ian Costello

Ian Costello Posted 15 years ago

Can you still be really without learning them first?   [Lachie is right,your videos ROCK]  Thanks.
Alois Rosario

Member Badge Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 15 years ago

No I don't think so.  You need a good base otherwise you will always struggle.
Ian Costello

Ian Costello Posted 15 years ago

So I'll just practice hard on the strokes.
Ian Costello

Ian Costello Posted 15 years ago

After learning or mastering the forehand counterhit, the backhand counterhit, the forehand push, the backhand push, the forehand topspin, and the backhand topspin, what is the pattern for all the other shots?
Alois Rosario

Member Badge Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 15 years ago

There is no set pattern, but probably the topspin against backspin strokes are the next important strokes to learn.
YK Wong

YK Wong Posted 14 years ago

Thanks very much!
Jeff Plumb

Member Badge Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 2 days ago

We've just done a podcast on what we'd do differently if we started table tennis again and we included this old question from a long time ago to see how we would answer it differently. One thing we discussed is the importance of learning the strokes together and not in isolation. So instead of focusing on one stroke at a time make sure you are learning them together as this is more match like. We'd love for you to go and listen to the full podcast and let us know what you think.

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