Support NeoGAF

[Joeholley]

Recently, Table Tennis has been gaining popularity in the office, and I'm not any good. Anyone have any tips for beginners on what basics I need to get down to have a solid foundation? My backhand is decently accurate, my forehand sucks (using double-sided paddles with no pips). I don't try to spike or anything advanced, but I'm having a hard time consistantly placing the ball where I want it. Are there any useful tips besides 'practice, practice, practice'?

 

[Ecrofirt]

Pro Tip: Don't suck!

 

[themadcowtipper]

no, but I can give you some great tips at beer pong....

 

[bionic77]

Recently, Table Tennis has been gaining popularity in the office, and I'm not any good. Anyone have any tips for beginners on what basics I need to get down to have a solid foundation? My backhand is decently accurate, my forehand sucks (using double-sided paddles with no pips). I don't try to spike or anything advanced, but I'm having a hard time consistantly placing the ball where I want it. Are there any useful tips besides 'practice, practice, practice'?

Do you hold it like a tennis racket or the more traditional way? If you hold it the more traditional way you will suck at first, but you will get the advantage of not having to switch sides when you hit the ball.

I used to love ping pong and played it all the time with my cousin. It is a pretty easy game to pick up, you just have to keep practicing. And my tip would be to learn how to use topspin as soon as possible. I kind of play ping pong with a bastardized tennis stroke so I am not the best person to give you lessons, but you get topspin by essentially starting low with your swing and then finishing higher (I am sorry this explanation sucks so much, but it is easier to show than to explain). If you learn how to do it right you will be able to hit the ball harder and it will stay on the table. When I was younger the way my dad taught me how to play was we would just try to keep a rally going as long as possible, great way to learn control in ping pong (or tennis!).