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Terms & Techniques


A table tennis learning site for all beginners

Some Techniques

Backspin Backward spin placed on the ball. Also called Underspin.
Blade The blade is also referred to as the bat or racket.
Block Usually a topspin shot performed to counter another topspin shot, namely, to counter a loop. This stroke is executed very close to the table, often before the top of the bounce of the ball. The blocker usually just angles his blade so that the ball goes back to the other side of the table. He utilizes the opponents speed and spin to put the ball back.
Chop A chop is a heavy underspin shot. I it usually executed away from the table and below the tabletop. A chop forces the ball to drop downwards when it hits an opponents paddle.
Drive The basic topspin shot executed close to the table. Also called a counter, counterdrive, or smash.
Drop shot Short placement - very close to the net. A key point in making a drop shot is to not allow the ball to fall off the table after the first bounce. i.e. Drop shots should bounce at least twice on the opponents side of the table before falling off.
Flick or flip A topspin shot generated over the table close to the net, usually with the power generated only from the upper arm or the wrist. Used to start offense on a short ball.
Kill Aslo know as a slam or smash, shift your weight forwad and twist your body to generate maimum power. Hitting crosscourt gives you the greatest margin for error and should therefore be used often, however jamming your opponent by hiting into their body may also be effective if they are standing close to the table.
Lob Usually used when in the player is in the backcourt in a defensive situation. The player hits the ball as high as he can - usually with a combination of topspin and sidespin. The deeper the ball lands on the table, the more difficult it will be for his opponent to smash.
Loop The shot that currently dominates the sport. This is an extreme topspin shot. One the Mazunov brothers (russia) won a spin competition being 'clocked' at 9000 rpm. A loop, when exectued properly can curve in the air as a curveball does in baseball. This curve allows the player to hit the ball harder and still rely on the spin of the ball to cause the ball to dive down onto the table. Also, a loop will 'skip' on the table top taking sharp changes in directions. A loop will also tend to 'pop' upwards when it strikes the opponents racket.
The opponent has to deal with
1. A curving ball,
2. A ball that changes directions when it hits the table, and
3. A ball that will jump off his racket unpredictably unless he compensates for spin.
A loop will also counter heavy spin (topspin or underspin) from an opponent. It can be executed above or below the tabletop, close or far away from the table.
Penhold The penhold grip is also aptly named because you hold the paddle just lika pen, only grasping the paddle at the top of the handle. Because of this, "penholders" often use paddles with special handles more comfortable for them.
Push A push is an underspin shot executed over the table, and usually close to the net. This is a passive shot that is used when it is impossible to attack a ball.
Receiver The receiver is the player who receives the ball from the server and returns it over the net.
Shakehand The shakehand grip is aptly named because you hold the paddle as if you were shaking someone's hand, with your index finger extending over the bottom part of the rubber on the backhand side and your thumb slightly touching the rubber on the forehand side.
Serve Stand behind your end of the table. Hold the ball in the palm of your free hand and throw the ball straight up in the air. As the ball falls, hit it so it lands on your half of the table, makes one bounce, and lands on the other side of the table. If the serve touches the net, it is a let, and you must serve again. If it touches the net and lands on the floor, you lose a point. If the serve goes into the net, you lose the point. You serve until five points have been scored, and then the other player gets to serve for the next five points. At 20 to 20 (you must win by two points), you alternate the serve after each point.
Server The Server The server is the player who starts the game by being the first to put the ball into play.
Sidespin Spin placed on a ball to allow it to curve left or right in the air. Usually utilized in combination with the topspin of a loop.
Spin The rotation of a ball. Topspin: Spin placed on a ball to allow it to curve down onto the table.
Topspin Spin placed on a ball to allow it to curve down onto the table.
Twiddle or twirl Turning of the paddle, used for confusing opponents on which side of the paddle is being used. Not as deceptive now due to the two color law, namely black on one side and bright red on the other side. Usually utilized with combination bat.