Start From the Basics

Table Tennis Handbook for Beginners & Intermediate Players

At Peak Agility Table Tennis, we go beyond just teaching theory—we lay the foundation for your success in this exciting sport. Understanding the fundamentals is just the first step; true mastery comes with practice and dedication.

With this guide, you’ll fast-track your progress, sharpening your skills and building confidence on the table. Our experienced coaches have crammed years of expertise into bite-sized, actionable lessons, making learning table tennis both fun and agile!

Forehand Drive

How to Execute the Forehand Drive in Table Tennis (With Key Tips & Reasons)

The forehand drive is a core offensive shot in table tennis, used to apply pressure and control the rally. Here’s a breakdown of the correct technique — and why each element matters:

Contact at the Highest Point

Striking the ball at its peak helps you use the ball’s natural topspin.

✅ Advanced Tip: This reduces the need to lift the ball, making your stroke more efficient and direct.
Keep Your Elbow Low, But Not Tucked
In Maintain a relaxed elbow that’s low but not too close to your body.
✅Why: This gives you space to swing smoothly and maintain balance through the shot.
Rotate Your Waist

Use your waist to initiate the stroke — not just your arm. This generates more power while keeping the motion fluid and balanced.
Transfer Your Weight

Shift your weight:
- From right to left for right-handers
- From left to right for left-handers
  
  This adds power and keeps your body aligned for quick recovery.
Finish With a “Salute”

Your bat should end above your shoulder, like a salute. This ensures a full follow-through and helps generate topspin.
Don’t Cross the Middle of Your Face

Keep your stroke compact and in front of your body.

❌ Why: Swinging past your face wastes energy and delays recovery for the next shot — a critical mistake in fast-paced rallies.

Backhand Drive

Backhand Drive (Refer to Forehand Drive for Shared Principles)

The backhand drive shares many fundamentals with the forehand drive — including timing, compact stroke mechanics, and avoiding excessive cross-body motion. Please refer to the Forehand Drive section for:

Contacting the ball at the highest point
Avoiding crossing the midline of your face
Finishing with the bat around shoulder height for proper follow-through

Here are the key differences specific to the backhand drive:

Elbow Position

Keep your elbow low but relaxed, and slightly away from your body.

✅ Why: This allows a clean swing path and prevents cramped movement.
No Traditional Weight Transfer

Unlike the forehand drive, the backhand doesn’t rely on shifting weight between feet (only when close to the table).

✅ Instead, focus on lowering your body by bending your knees and using the core/stomach muscles to exert power.
Leg-Driven Power: Stand Up Into the Shot

As you swing, rise slightly by extending your legs.

✅ Why: This upward force gives your stroke lift and momentum, replacing the need for side-to-side body weight transfer.

Off the Table Drills

Keep practising consistently to develop better hand–eye coordination and improve your feel for the ball on the bat. The more you play, the more natural your timing, control, and rhythm will become.