Table Tennis: (First Semester 2020-2021)
Table Tennis: (First Semester 2020-2021)
PED003
TABLE TENNIS
(First Semester 2020-2021)
________________________________________
Name of Student
August 2020
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS
Learning Objectives: At the end of the module, the student is expected to:
1. Enumerate and identify the skills in Table Tennis
2. Perform (demonstrate) accurately these skills through a video presentation or series of
pictures.
3. Realize the importance of the skill acquisition in any sport activity
Table tennis is a game of spin. Nearly every stroke and serve imparts some type of sin to the
ball, and to understand each type of spin.
All good players put spin on their shots. An attacker uses topspin to control her or his attack,
a defender uses backspin to control his or her defense. Nearly all players use sidespin on their
serves to keep their opponents from using a strong return. Without spin, the game would be very
different and a lot less exciting.
Because your opponents will be using spin, you must also. The types of spin you use against
various shots will depend on what type of style you develop. If you wish to develop your game
fully, you must learn how to use spin and how to play against it. There are three basic types of spin:
topspin, backspin and sidespin (see Figure 14). You can use combinations of them, or use no spin at
all (“no spin”).
Topspin. If you hit the ball so that the top half of it rotates away from you, you create
topspin. This is done by hitting the back of the ball (usually toward the top) with an upward
stroke.
Characteristics of topspin:
a. The ball travels in a downward arc (see Figure). This means that a hard-hit ball that
would normally go off the end of the table can still hit the table. This makes topspin
ideal for attackers because you can control the attack by forcing the ball down.
b. The ball jumps after it hits the table, throwing off an opponent’s timing and making it
difficult to return.
c. The ball will be returned high or off the end of the table if the spin is not taken into
account.
Backspin. If you hit the ball so that the bottom half of it rotates away from you, you create
backspin (also known as underspin or chop). This is done by hitting the back of the ball
(usually toward the bottom) with a downward stroke.
Characteristics of backspin:
a. The ball travels in a line (see Figure 15). This keeps the ball at the same height or
longer period of time than other balls, which makes it easier to keep the ball low.
This makes backspin ideal for defensive players. (Actually, backspin makes the ball
curve upward- but this is balanced out by gravity pulling the ball down, so the ball
tends to go in line.)
b. The ball will be returned into the net if the spin is not taken into account.
c. The ball will slow down after it hits the table, throwing off an opponent’s timing and
making it difficult to return.
d. A good backspin serve usually will keep an opponent from attacking the serve, often
forcing a backspin return that can be attacked.
Backspin is used primarily as a defensive or passive shot. It’s used to keep the ball
low and difficult to attack. Some defensive players (“choppers”) will back up 15 feet or
more to return topspin drives with backspin. Backspin can lead to pushing, which is
returning a ball that has a backspin with your own backspin.
Sidespin. If you hit the ball so that the side of it moves away from you, you create
sidespin. This is done by hitting the back of the ball (usually toward the side) with a
sideways stroke. The ball spins like a record on a record player.
Characteristics of sidespin:
a. The ball curves sideways. This can throw off an opponent’s timing.
b. The ball will bounce sideways when it hits the table, throwing off an opponent’s
timing and making it difficult to return.
c. The ball will be returned off to the side if the spin is not taken into account.
d. Sidespin is especially effective on serves. A good sidespin serve can force and
opponent into error.
No Spin. A ball without spin is also a good variation, especially on the serve.
Characteristics of no-spin:
a. Unless the ball is very low, it can be attacked easily if read properly.
b. A short no-spin ball will often be mistaken for backspin, with the results that it is popped
up; or it can be mistaken for topspin or sidespin and put in the net.
c. Any spin shot can be done without spin as a variation.
B. Table Tennis Grip. Grip means how to hold a racket. The main two grips are:
shakehand grip and penhold
grip.
Shakehand Grip. The shakehand grip is aptly named because you hold the racket or
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. Notice how only 3 fingers wrap around the handle.
Mechanics:
Preparation Phase
a. Blade rests in crook between thumb and
forefinger.
b. Thumbnail perpendicular to racket surface.
c. Index finger near bottom of racket.
d. Loose grip.
e. To strengthen forehand, rotate top of racket
toward you.
f. Strengthen backhand, rotate top of racket away from you.
ERROR
1. Either your forehand or backhand
shots feel erratic or unstable.
Penhold Grip. The penhold grip is also aptly named because you hold the paddle just like a
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.
Mechanics:
a. Preparation Phase
It is your choice which grip you want to use, but the shakehand grip is suggested
especially for beginners. Also, the shakehand grip makes table tennis a lot easier to play,
because it gives you freedom of wrist and allows you to hit easily from both forehand and
backhand sides.
ERROR CORRECTION
1. Either your forehand or 1. Rotate the right side of the racket forward
your backhand grip feels to make your forehand stronger (see
weak or erratic. Figure a); rotate the right side of the
racket backward to make your backhand
2. Your grip is too tight. stronger (see Figure b). It’s usually best
to make compromise between the two
with a neutral grip (see Figure c).
Fig.9
2. Relax your grip. Holding the racket too
tightly costs you both power and control.
A good way to tell if you’re holding the
racket too tightly is to imagine someone
sneaking up behind you as you play and
grabbing your racket. If the person would
have trouble pulling it from your grip,
you are holding the racket too tightly.
Variation:
Activity
C. Ready Position
Footwork:
ERROR CORRECTION
1. Your feet bounce too high or 1. Your feet should stay low to the
lift off the ground. ground, almost sliding.
2. You’re not in position at the 2. Make adjustments during and after the
end of the movement. movement
3. Your heels are on the ground. 3. Your weight should be on the inside
4. You’re reaching got the ball. balls of your feet.
4. Try not to reach for the ball, but
instead use the two-step footwork.
Move the leg that is in the direction
you want to go and follow up with the
other leg.