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Tom Lodziak

In this popular course, I’ll show you how to play table tennis. You will learn how to hold the bat, how to stand and how to move.

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In this popular course, I’ll show you how to play table tennis. You will learn how to hold the bat, how to stand and how to move.

You will learn the correct technique for the basic table tennis strokes - a forehand drive, a backhand drive, a forehand push and a backhand push. Plus, I'll show you 21 training drills to help you improve your skills.

You will also learn how to serve. I'll show you how to do a backspin serve, a sidespin serve and a topspin serve.

Each video lesson includes links to external resources, where you can read more about each topic.

To become a great table tennis player, you need to master the basic skills first. This course will help you do that.

Over 2,000 students have already signed up, with a review average of 4.6 out of 5. This is a really good course for learning table tennis. Go for it.

Enroll now

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

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.

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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.

Basic strokes

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.

Service

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.

These "how to" lessons address some of the common problems beginner and improving players face when learning table tennis. I plan to add more lessons to this section over the coming months.
How to read service spin

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.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, 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

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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
Organize your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams to make it easier to review and study the material.
Show steps
  • Create a system for organizing your materials.
  • File your materials in the appropriate place.
  • Review your materials regularly.
Watch and learn from professional players
Watch videos of professional table tennis players to learn advanced techniques and strategies.
Show steps
  • 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
Practice the forehand drive, backhand drive, forehand push, and backhand push to improve stroke consistency and footwork.
Show steps
  • 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.
Five other activities
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Show all eight activities
Practice your serves
Practice your backspin serve, sidespin serve, and topspin serve to improve your accuracy and consistency.
Show steps
  • 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
Play a practice match against a friend or family member to test your skills and identify areas for improvement.
Show steps
  • 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
Create a personalized training plan that includes specific drills and exercises to improve your skills and reach your goals.
Show steps
  • 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
Join a table tennis club or group to connect with other players, learn from more experienced players, and participate in organized tournaments.
Show steps
  • 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
Contribute to the table tennis community by writing articles, creating videos, or organizing tournaments to share your knowledge and help others improve their skills.
Show steps
  • 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

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