Table tennis for beginners from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to hold a table tennis bat, how to stand and how to move
Basic strokes, including forehand drive, backhand drive, backhand push and forehand push

21 different training drills to help you improve your skills
How to serve, including backspin serve, sidespin serve and topspin serve

How to hold a table tennis bat, how to stand and how to move
Basic strokes, including forehand drive, backhand drive, backhand push and forehand push
21 different training drills to help you improve your skills
How to serve, including backspin serve, sidespin serve and topspin serve

Syllabus

Getting started

An introduction to my course 'Table Tennis for Beginners'.

In this video, I show you how to hold a table tennis bat. I focus on the shakehands grip which is the most common grip used in table tennis.

In this video, I explain how you should stand when playing table tennis. You need a stance which allows you to move quickly from left to right, right to left, backwards and forwards without losing balance.

In this video, I explain how to move when playing table tennis. It doesn’t matter what style of table tennis you play - you could be a forehand attacker, a backhand attacker, a blocker, a lobber, a chopper - you need to get your feet and body into position to play shots effectively.

In this video, I explain how to play a forehand drive. The forehand drive is one of the main attacking shots used in table tennis. It has a little bit of topspin on it, but mainly it’s a flat hit and very powerful.

In this video, I explain how to play a backhand drive. The backhand drive is also a strong attacking shot, usually played close to the table. For most players it’s not quite as powerful as the forehand drive because the stroke is a bit shorter, but you can still get decent power.

In this video, I explain how to play a backhand push. The backhand push is a defensive shot, played close to the table, where you put backspin on the ball. The main reason you use a backhand push is to make it difficult for your opponent to attack.

In this video, I explain how to play a forehand push. Most players find this shot more difficult to do compared to the backhand push. You are probably not going to use this shot as much as the others we have looked at so far, but you will most likely need to use it in every match you play.

In this video, I demonstrate some more training drills you can do to improve your stroke consistency and footwork.

In this video, I summarise what we have learnt during the course and what you should do next.

An introduction to the section on service.

In this video, I explain some service rules and show you how to serve legally.

In this video, I show you how to do a backspin serve.

In this video, I show you how to do a sidespin serve.

In this video, I show you how to do a topspin serve.

In this video, I explain how you should use your serve, including varying the spin and placement.

In this video, I show you how to return a sidespin serve by using a controlled topspin stroke.

In this video, I show you the technique you need to block a heavy topspin attack.

In this video, I show you three things you need to do to get more speed and spin on your forehand topspin attacks.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Introduces basic table tennis techniques for novices, making it suitable for hobbyists or beginners looking to build a foundation

Tom Lodziak, an established table tennis instructor, teaches the course, increasing its credibility

Provides thorough explanations and demonstrations of table tennis techniques

Includes specialized training drills, beneficial for improving skills

Reviews summary

Comprehensive basics for table tennis newcomers

According to students, this course provides a solid foundation for mastering the fundamentals of table tennis. Learners praise its clear instruction on essential techniques like bat grip, stance, and movement, making it highly accessible for beginners. The inclusion of 21 practical training drills is a significant highlight, offering structured practice opportunities. Students particularly value the detailed guidance on various serve techniques (backspin, sidespin, topspin) and strategies for reading spin, which is often a challenge for new players. The course effectively sets learners on a path to developing core skills needed to play effectively.

Course provides theory but needs practical application.

"While the course is excellent, it's vital to remember you need to put in serious practice time off-screen."

"I learned a lot, but real improvement comes from actually playing and applying the techniques."

"This course gives you the 'what' and 'how,' but you'll need a table and a partner for the 'doing.'"

Perfect for absolute newcomers; might be too slow for others.

"As a complete novice, the pacing was just right for me to grasp everything without feeling rushed."

"If you're already an intermediate player, some parts might feel a bit too basic and slow."

"I found the step-by-step approach very digestible, but someone with prior experience might skip sections."

Instructor plans to add more advanced lessons.

"It's great to hear the instructor plans to add more lessons; I'm excited for future content."

"The course summary mentions upcoming lessons, which is a good sign of continuous improvement."

"I'm looking forward to seeing what new 'how-to' lessons are added in the future."

Supplements learning with additional reading materials.

"The links to external resources for each video lesson were great for diving deeper."

"I appreciated having extra reading materials to reinforce what was taught in the videos."

"For those who want to learn more, the suggested resources are a thoughtful addition."

Provides strategies for tricky game situations.

"The tips on how to return a sidespin serve were exactly what I needed to stop losing points."

"Understanding how to block heavy topspin attacks has improved my defensive play significantly."

"This section helps address real game scenarios that beginners often struggle with."

Explains various serves and how to use them.

"Learning about backspin, sidespin, and topspin serves was incredibly helpful for my game."

"The section on varying serve spin and placement really elevated my serve game."

"I now feel much more confident in serving legally and effectively after this module."

Offers valuable, actionable practice exercises.

"The 21 training drills are a game-changer; they really helped me practice consistency."

"I found the drills section very useful for turning theory into actual practice."

"Having specific drills to work on made improving my stroke consistency much easier."

Builds a strong base with core techniques.

"I really appreciated how it starts with the absolute basics like how to hold the bat and proper stance."

"The instruction on forehand and backhand drives made me feel confident in my initial shots."

"The focus on movement and getting into position is crucial for beginners, and this course covers it well."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Table tennis for beginners with these activities:

Organize your notes and materials

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Organize your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams to make it easier to review and study the material.

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Create a system for organizing your materials.
File your materials in the appropriate place.
Review your materials regularly.

Watch and learn from professional players

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Watch videos of professional table tennis players to learn advanced techniques and strategies.

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Find videos of professional table tennis players.
Watch the videos carefully, paying attention to the players' technique.
Try to imitate the techniques you see in the videos.

Practice basic strokes

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Practice the forehand drive, backhand drive, forehand push, and backhand push to improve stroke consistency and footwork.

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Set up a table and net in a well-lit area.
Warm up with some light stretches.
Practice each stroke for 10 minutes, focusing on proper technique.
Cool down with some light stretches.

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Practice your serves

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Practice your backspin serve, sidespin serve, and topspin serve to improve your accuracy and consistency.

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Set up a table and net in a well-lit area.
Warm up with some light stretches.
Practice each serve for 10 minutes, focusing on proper technique.
Cool down with some light stretches.

Play a practice match

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Play a practice match against a friend or family member to test your skills and identify areas for improvement.

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Set up a table and net in a well-lit area.
Warm up with some light stretches.
Play a practice match for 30 minutes.
Cool down with some light stretches.

Create a training plan

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Create a personalized training plan that includes specific drills and exercises to improve your skills and reach your goals.

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Set realistic goals for yourself.
Identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Research different training methods and drills.
Create a schedule that fits your lifestyle.
Track your progress and make adjustments as needed.

Join a table tennis club or group

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Join a table tennis club or group to connect with other players, learn from more experienced players, and participate in organized tournaments.

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Find a table tennis club or group in your area.
Attend a few sessions to get to know the people and the atmosphere.
Join the club or group if you feel comfortable.
Participate in club activities and tournaments.

Contribute to the table tennis community

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Contribute to the table tennis community by writing articles, creating videos, or organizing tournaments to share your knowledge and help others improve their skills.

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Identify a way to contribute to the table tennis community.
Create a plan for your contribution.
Execute your plan.
Share your contribution with the community.

Career center

Learners who complete Table tennis for beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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Table tennis for beginners

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive basics for table tennis newcomers

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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