TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES- VISAYAS

Talisay City, Negros Occidental

Learning Guide in TABLE TENNIS

LESSON 13: Basic Skills in Table Tennis

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Demonstrate an understanding of the basic skills in table tennis
Execute correctly the basic skill in table tennis
Show the importance of following the mechanics of each skill

INTRODUCTION
Learning basic skills in table tennis is very important. Without strengthening your base, it is not
possible to advance to the next level. It is the stepping stone for success in table tennis. Remember
the inspirational quote from the great Jim Rohn.

Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently
applying the basic fundamentals.”- Jim Rohn

Developing your skills is a step-by-step process. It starts from the basics with proper gripping of
the racket and ends with implementing the techniques in the match play.
https://tabletennisarena.com/basic-skills-table-tennis/

BASIC SKILLS IN TABLE TENNIS

Building your basic table tennis skills is a sequential process and consists of three phases.
First Phase- The Foundation Phase
Second Phase- The Development Phase
Third Phase- The Execution Phase

 The first phase starts with the proper gripping of the racket which is the most fundamental
skill to learn and the building of every skill depends on it.
 The next technique that you have to develop is to fix your ready position and stance. Once you
have fixed your ready position and prepared with proper stance, move to the next step i.e. to
work on your footwork in table tennis.
 In the second phase, you will learn the four basic table tennis strokes that will guide you to
execute your shots with accuracy and consistency.

P.E. 3: Week 13: Lesson 13: Basic Skills in Table Tennis

 TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES- VISAYAS
Talisay City, Negros Occidental

 The third phase starts with the knowledge of the rules of table tennis, especially the table
tennis serving rules. After that know how to serve in table tennis and finally complete the basic
skills by developing the basic principle to return a serve.

1. TABLE TENNIS GRIP

To know how to hold a table tennis racket, you have to be familiar with the types of table tennis
grip. There are mainly two types of grip. One is Shakehand grip and the other one is Penhold
grip.

1. SHAKEHAND TABLE TENNIS GRIP

In this table tennis grip, try to hold the bat in a way that you are shaking hands.
 Hold the handle with three fingers i.e. middle finger, ring finger, and pinkie.
 Then free your index finger and thumb.
 Place index finger on the edge of the rubber on the backhand side and thumb on the blade
or rubber on the opposite side in such a way that forms a V shape.
 Earlier this grip was popular in European countries, but now this is popular in Asian
countries as well.
 This is a convenient table tennis grip for a beginner.

Shakehand grip is of two types.

1. Shallow Shakehand grip
2. Deep Shakehand grip

P.E. 3: Week 13: Lesson 13: Basic Skills in Table Tennis

 TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES- VISAYAS
Talisay City, Negros Occidental

2. PENHOLD TABLE TENNIS GRIP

In the Penhold grip,

 the index finger and thumb are curled around the edge of the paddle to form a ‘C’ shape and
relax on one side of the rubber. The other three fingers act as support on the other side of the
rubber.
 It is much like you are holding a pen.
 This grip is mainly popular with Asian players.

Penhold Grip is of three types.

Chinese Penhold Grip
Japanese or Korean Penhold Grip
Reverse Penhold Backhand Grip

2. TABLE TENNIS STANCE AND READY POSITION

A proper stance is one of the basic skills in table tennis which is very important to maintain your
balance during stroke-making.
 You should take your stance at one arm’s distance from the table.
 Stand with your legs slightly wider than your shoulder.

P.E. 3: Week 13: Lesson 13: Basic Skills in Table Tennis

 TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES- VISAYAS
Talisay City, Negros Occidental

 Bend your knees with your eyes at the net level to keep your center of gravity low.
 Your shoulder should be slightly forward with arms in front of your body with elbow and
racket.
 Your free arm is used to support your balance.
 If you are a right-hander, your left foot will be slightly forward than your right foot with a little
side-on position for the free swing of your arm during forehand stroke.
 For the left-hander, it is just opposite with the right foot a little forward than the left foot
 The ready position is the position where you feel comfortable standing to cover the playing
area. It is the position where you take your stance to receive the service.
 After playing a shot during a rally, you should return to your ready position. From this position,
you should watch your opponent’s movement and be able to move in any direction for the next
stroke.
 Take your stance slightly left from the center of the table as it is easy to cover the area on your
forehand side. For a left-hander, the stance is slightly right from the center of the table.

3. FOOTWORK IN TABLE TENNIS

You have to learn the basic skills for proper footwork for becoming a good table tennis player.

Objectives of Table Tennis Footwork

 To get yourself near the ball in quick time to execute the stroke.
 To execute the stroke in a better way.
 You can place your return shot accurately.
 To produce a wide variety of shots.
 To return to your ready position quickly after making the stroke.
 Good footwork will keep you well balanced during the play.

Types of Footwork in Table Tennis

There are four types of footwork in table tennis.

a. In and Out Footwork

When you face a short service, you have to move your body to come closer to the ball and after
making the stroke, return to your ready position.

P.E. 3: Week 13: Lesson 13: Basic Skills in Table Tennis

 TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES- VISAYAS
Talisay City, Negros Occidental

This is an in-and-out footwork pattern in table tennis.

To execute it correctly,
 Move your left foot first and right foot to come near the ball. When you return to your ready
position, step your right foot first and then your left foot. For left-handers, the process is just
the opposite.

b. Side to Side Footwork

During a rally, most often you have to move side-ways, i.e. from backhand side to forehand and
from the forehand side to backhand.
 To move sideways, take a small side-to-side shuffle. Your shuffling steps should be quick
enough so it looks like a jump.
 To move from backhand to forehand from your ready position, move your left foot first and
then your right foot. Complete the shuffle by moving again your left foot and then your right
foot.
 To move from forehand to backhand from your ready position, move your right foot first and
then your left foot. Complete the shuffle by moving again your right foot and then your left
foot. This footwork is for the right-handers.

For left-handers, this side-to-side footwork technique is just the opposite.

You have to stop at the time you are making the shot. Otherwise, you will be unbalanced while
making the shot, which does not produce a great result. So the whole process sounds like Move-
Stop-Hit, Move-Stop-Hit.

c. Cross over Footwork

There are many times when you have to cover a wider area for returning a ball.
At that time, your side-to-side footwork is not enough. The game of table tennis is lightning fast.
You cannot get to the wider position with this footwork.
So if you are a right-hander, then to get to a wide forehand position, take a wide step of your left
foot. And then supporting on your left foot as it is a pivot, place your right foot wide enough to get
to the position for making the stroke.

d. One Step Footwork

One-step footwork is useful when the ball is slightly out of reach, so you can use one of your feet
to reach near the ball and after the stroke, it comes back to the ready position.

P.E. 3: Week 13: Lesson 13: Basic Skills in Table Tennis

 TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES- VISAYAS
Talisay City, Negros Occidental

In this footwork technique (for a right-hander), if the ball is a little away from your forehand, move
your right foot to the position of the ball. Your body will also move along with your right foot.
Your left foot bears the bodyweight and remains stationary, although it may turn slightly.
The advantage of this footwork is the better body balance as your shoulder and body don’t move
too much.

4. BASIC STROKES IN TABLE TENNIS

To develop basic table tennis skills, you need to strengthen four basic strokes. These are:
 Backhand Push
 Forehand Drive
 Backhand Drive
 Forehand Push

Start with a backhand push as it is easier to adopt. Then comes forehand drive or counter. After
that is the backhand drive. The last one is the forehand push because it is harder than the other
three strokes.

a. Backhand Push

The backhand push is a defensive stroke in table tennis. It is easy to return a backspin ball with a
backhand push and also to create a backspin on the ball.

Step-I
 Stand close to the table with your legs slightly apart from your shoulders.
 Your body should be square-on to the table.
 Bend your knees slightly to make the upper part of the body leaning forward.
 Hold your racket in front of the body.
 The backhand part of the racket is open and made a little angle so that it points towards the
net.
 Your wrist should be flexible enough for more brushing action.

Step-II
 As the ball approaches you, push the racket as a forwarding motion to cut underneath the ball.

P.E. 3: Week 13: Lesson 13: Basic Skills in Table Tennis

 TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES- VISAYAS
Talisay City, Negros Occidental

 To create more underspin, your bat is to be more open to enhance the depth of the contact
point.
 Use your flexible wrist to increase the brushing action at the time of contact of the ball for
more backspin.
 The push should be soft to keep the ball on the table.
 Keep the ball low over the net to restrain your opponent from attacking.

Step-III
Come back to the ready position and prepare for the next shot.
To play backhand push, stand close to the table and hold your racket in front of your body. The
forearm of your playing hand should move in a horizontal plane from the elbow. Push the racket
as a forwarding motion to strike underneath the ball on the top of the bounce.
To be more effective, increase the racket speed for more backspin and keep the ball as low as
possible over the net.

b. Forehand Drive

This is the most basic table tennis stroke that you should learn. It will help you build your
confidence to control a ball.

Step-I
 To start a forehand drive, keep your legs slightly apart from your shoulder.
 Stand at the right end of the table with one forearm distance from the end of the table.
 Your left leg should be a little forward than your right leg.
 Stand side-on to the table, so that your body creates an angle of 30° to the table. That will
enable the free swing of your bat.
 Initially, your weight is on your right leg.
 Your playing arm is next to you.
 Hold your racket at an angle of 45 degrees.
 Your upper arm and forearm should take an “L” shape with the racket facing the opposite
corner of the table.

Step-II
 As the ball approaches, move your racket upward and forward.

P.E. 3: Week 13: Lesson 13: Basic Skills in Table Tennis

 TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES- VISAYAS
Talisay City, Negros Occidental

 Strike the ball before the top of the bounce.

 The contact point should be the middle of the racket as the primary aim is speed and control,
not spin.
 Transfer your weight from your right leg to your left leg.
 Your whole body should move together during the stroke.

Step-III
 After striking the ball, follow the bat up to the eye position.
 Your bat should be nearly 30 cm (12 inches) in front of the eye.
 Take your body and the racket to the ready position, so that the whole process of the
movement of your racket takes an elliptical shape.

c. Backhand Drive

The backhand drive is not a powerful stroke as the forehand drive. But it is a must-learn
technique for the beginner. It helps you control the shots and continue the rally from your
backhand portion. It also helps you go for advanced strokes like a backhand loop, backhand
smash, backhand flick.

Step-I
 To start your backhand drive, stand one forearm distance from the table.
 Stand with your legs a little apart than your shoulder.
 The position of your legs is like the forehand drive so that you need not change it during
switching over from backhand to forehand drive.
 Stand square-on to the direction of the ball.
 Bend your knees slightly to stand on your toes.
 Your body should be above the table with both hands in front of the body.
 Hold your racket at an angle of 45° to 60°.
 The backhand side of your racket should face towards the direction of your opponent.
 Your wrist should be straight because your primary aim is to control the ball, not to impart
spin.
 The angle between your forearm and upper arm is nearly 110° and the forearm should be in a
horizontal plane, just above your hip.
 The distance between your body and the racket should be nearly 2 inches.

P.E. 3: Week 13: Lesson 13: Basic Skills in Table Tennis

 TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES- VISAYAS
Talisay City, Negros Occidental

Step-II
As the ball approaches you, forward your arm in an upward direction maintaining the racket
angle.
 Strike the ball at the top of the bounce.
 Your elbow will act as a pivot for your forearm movement.
 You can change the direction of the ball by changing the angle between your forearm and
upper arm.

Step-III
 After you strike the ball, continue to follow your stroke.
 Your striking length and follow up the length of stroke should be almost the same.
 Revert your arm to the ready position to continue the rally.

5. BASIC SERVE IN TABLE TENNIS

Start with the type of service that you feel comfortable with. After getting total control on that
serve, switch over to another service and try to learn that in the same way.
To complete the basic skills in table tennis, you first have to gain control over the two serves.

1. Forehand Serve
This is the basic table tennis serve that a beginner should start with.
 At first grip your racket properly, it may be a Shakehand grip or a Penhold grip.
 The forehand side of your racket should face towards the net.
 Then toss the ball and strike so that the first bounce is on your side and after flying over the
net, the ball drops on your opponent’s side of the table.
 Keep your angle of the bat in such a way that the ball bounces over the net with a minimum
height.

2. Backhand Serve
 Backhand serve is just the opposite of forehand serve. In the backhand table tennis serve, you
have to hit the ball with the backhand side which is the reverse of the forehand side of your
racket.

6. BASIC PRINCIPLES TO RETURN A SERVE

The last among the basic skills category in table tennis is the development of returning table tennis
serve. To make a valid return of serve, you must allow the ball to bounce once on your side and
then strike the ball to bounce on your opponent’s side after crossing over the net.

REFERENCES

https://tabletennisarena.com/basic-skills-table-tennis/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfmPcpi4sfc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Zq-OHCNx7o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA25nMSPFx0&t=4s

P.E. 3: Week 13: Lesson 13: Basic Skills in Table Tennis

 TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES- VISAYAS
Talisay City, Negros Occidental

WEEK 12 ACTIVITY

LESSON 12: BASIC SKILLS IN TABLE TENNIS

“BALL CONTROL DRILLS”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbCO46F6b0I

INSTRUCTION:

1. Read and study carefully the module;

2. Watch the YouTube link provided above
3. Practice the “ball control drills”
4. Choose 3 ball control drills and perform each 10 times
5. Once the drills chosen are mastered document it by taking a video (not more than 2minutes)
5. The video must contain the following:
a. Introduction of yourself;
b. Name/ label of each drill
6. Use of improvised equipment is allowed
7. Wear appropriate attire.
8. Name your file using this format: SO5 A: SOBERANO, LIZA.WEEK 13
9 Submit your output in MP4 file to your respective teachers’ email.
10. Deadline of submission is on March 25, 2022 (5:00 PM).
11. Late submission will NOT be accepted.

Basic Skill Criteria and rating ( 3- Advance, 2- Proficient, 1- Developing)

Drill 1 Drill 2 Drill 3
Accuracy
Consistency of movements
Total (18pts)

P.E. 3: Week 13: Lesson 13: Basic Skills in Table Tennis