New to ping pong? Try these five tricks
What's the story
Ping pong (or table tennis if you're feeling fancy) is a lightning-fast sport that demands rapid reflexes and laser-sharp coordination. It's not only a blast to play with pals or family, but it's also a fantastic way to boost hand-eye coordination, agility, and mental acuity. This article shares five effective ways beginners can improve coordination through the power of ping pong.
Footwork
Focus on footwork first
Working on your footwork is the most boring but important part of ping pong. Good footwork positions you to strike the ball well, and it improves the timing between your feet and hands. Start by practicing side-to-side movements and small, quick steps around the table (without a ball). Do it for 10 minutes daily. Over time, you will see a big difference in your balance and coordination.
Strokes
Master the basic strokes
Learning and perfecting the fundamental strokes in ping pong is a great way to improve coordination. The four basic strokes - forehand drive, backhand drive, forehand push, and backhand push - are the building blocks of the game. Each stroke involves unique body movements and timing. Regular practice of these strokes trains your brain to coordinate your arm movements with your visual perception, enhancing overall coordination.
Solo practice
Play against a wall
Playing against a wall is super useful when you don't have a partner to practice with. This solo drill is great for improving your timing and accuracy as the ball ricochets off the wall at varying angles and velocities. Experiment with different distances from the wall to further challenge yourself and develop hand-eye coordination.
Multi-ball
Use multi-ball training
Multi-ball training, where you have more than one ball in play, is a great way to boost your reaction times and coordination. It requires you to concentrate on multiple balls at once; you start with two and add more as you get comfortable. This technique is apparently very useful in improving your multitasking skills.
Targeting
Incorporate target practice
Placing targets on various areas of the table can significantly improve accuracy in ping pong. When practicing your strokes or serving, don't just aim for the table's general direction. Instead, aim for specific spots. This technique not only increases accuracy but also boosts hand-eye coordination. You automatically gauge how much force to apply and at what angle to hit the ball to land it where you want.