Skill Indicators for Table Tennis

 

Grip

• Shakes Hand: racket perpendicular to the floor.
• Last three fingers wrap around the handle and the forefinger lies close to the lower edge of the racket face.

 

Backhand Push

• Ball played in front of the body at the point of highest contact.
• As the ball approaches, the right arm is drawn back by pivoting at the elbow, the right shoulder back by pivoting, past the elbow, the right shoulder turns and is pointed toward the table.
• Push the racket forward toward the ball, extend arm in a horizontal plane.
• Body weight transfers from back foot to forward foot throughout the stroke.

 

Forehand Push

• As the ball approaches, the racket is drawn back; shoulders turn so the left shoulder is pointed toward the table.
• Push the racket forward toward the ball, arm extended in a horizontal plane; shoulders return.
• Body weight transfers from the back foot to the forward foot throughout the stroke.

 

Serve

• The body assumes a stance three quarters sideways to the table, the ball rests on the palm of the left hand, racket assumes position of a forehand push shot.
• The ball is tossed upward, the racket face (slightly closed) comes forward and continues forward after the contact.
• AS the racket face follows-through, it rolls over the top of the ball thus imparting topspin to the ball.