Last updated: August 24, 2023No matter what sport you are trying to play, you are going to need to practice. That goes for soccer, basketball, and especially ping pong. The player who skips out on ping pong practice isn’t going to get to play all that often since their opponents will easily defeat them.
Thankfully, there are lots of different ways to go about practicing ping pong. Some are quite elaborate and require a bit of money to get going, while others are very straightforward and won’t cost you anything but time. We will guide you through everything you need to know to get your skills up to par so that you can advance your game to the next level.
The very first thing that everyone thinks when they are trying to come up with ways of practicing ping pong is with another person. While this is certainly a great option, it isn’t usually the most realistic one. Many players don’t have access to another player that is on the same skill level needed to practice with. As such, players need to use a solution that works for them, even if they need to do it on their own. After all, even if practicing with someone is the best method, it is certainly not the only one out there.
One of the better solo practicing techniques is to purchase and utilize a table tennis robot. While this might sound like something from the future, these machines have actually been around for a good long time. They are also not quite as complicated as one would imagine. They are, in fact, quite easy to set up and utilize. The only downside of these robots is that they can be prohibitively expensive, which might make them harder to purchase for an up-and-coming player or anyone who just plays for fun.
The reason that these robots are so simple is that they can only serve. They do not have the capability to send the shots back to you, which is a bit limiting. Of course, models like the IPONG V300 can be programmed to offer a variety of serves for you to return, which will come in handy in your next match. Some models, like this offering from ZXMOTO, feature automatic ball returns that allow you to keep practicing without having to break your concentration at all during a practice session.
A much cheaper option, that is, as long as you already own a ping pong table, then a robot is using the playback position of your table. Most ping pong tables can be laid out flat for a game or folded up so that one side stands straight in the air. This is called the playback position.
This position allows players to practice their serves. You can also practice some volleys as well, as the table will bounce the ball back at you after every serve. This can get a bit repetitive, however, since the ball will most likely always bounce back at or near the same position each time, especially if you have good control over your serves and volleys. Of course, this still will require lots of focus and coordination Trusted Source This Is Your Brain on Ping Pong According to Suzuki, table tennis works parts of the brain that are responsible for movement, fine motor skills, and strategy – areas that could be growing stronger with each match. While scientists have yet to study the brain activity of ping pong players, Suzuki believes the game enhances brain function, unlike any other sport. abcnews.go.com , which is pivotal in a game of ping pong.
A returned board is a very interesting option for anyone that is looking for something a bit livelier than the playback position. As we mentioned above, the biggest issue with using a table in the playback position is that the shots can become a bit predictable. This is because of the flat nature of the board you are hitting against. This is not the case with a return board.
One of the most complex parts of the game of ping pong is the serve. This is also something that lots of players do not always like to practice. It can get monotonous, but it will help to increase your prowess as a ping pong player. After all, if you get good enough at serving, the odds are that you will win tons of points without having to return a volley.
Before practicing your serve, you first need to make sure that you have the right balls and paddle so that you can hit each serve as accurately as possible. Once you have the right equipment, it is all a matter of patience and perseverance. You also want to make sure to practice the different types of serves as well. That way, you won’t become too predictable to your opponents.
Another option for anyone that is looking to get in a bit of practice but doesn’t have a ping pong table on hand is to use shadow play. For this practicing method, you need to stand in front of a mirror and visualize a game of table tennis. From there, you go through the motions of serving and volleying, all while observing your movements.
The final method that you should most definitely try out if you are looking to improve your game is to watch others play. This is best done in person, but you can also substitute taped matches as well. It is especially important to watch talented or professional table tennis players at work. This will give you valuable information on proper techniques and strategies. It is also something that you can do from the comfort of your own home, as well, which is a huge benefit for anyone trying to sneak in practice on a tight schedule.
One more key piece to the table tennis practice puzzle is to keep yourself in good physical condition Trusted Source Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity - Mayo Clinic No matter what your current weight is, being active boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol, and it decreases unhealthy triglycerides. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly, which decreases your risk of cardiovascular diseases. www.mayoclinic.org . Not only will this help you to become a better player, but it will improve your life as well. After all, you are not going to be able to keep pace in a tournament or individual match if you are not in good shape. As such, it is a good idea to exercise regularly to keep up your cardiovascular and muscular strength.
There are a wide variety of ways that you can get in some ping pong practice to improve your game. Many of these methods can be done in the comfort of your own home without any equipment, while others will require you to purchase specialized practice tools. No matter how you choose to practice, make sure that you are consistent so that you can see your gains when you play against other players.
