Beginner to Intermediate Table Tennis Syllabus
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This program is designed to guide beginners through the essential skills of table tennis quickly building toward intermediate-level play. Each phase introduces new skills.
Prerequisite: A custom table tennis paddle is mandatory. We explain in detail why a custom paddle is superior for learning and provide expert buying advice in our favorite beginner table tennis blades and rubbers list.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Most beginners are self-taught and ingrain bad stroke mechanics. It takes 10,000 hours to master a movement and much longer to reverse bad ones. That’s why thousands of players receive video coaching to get real-time feedback and become better players faster. Their form is cleaner and improvement comes three times faster.
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Now on to the program.
Phase 1: Introduction to Table Tennis (Weeks 1–2)
Objective: Get familiar with the basics of table tennis and a fundamental in-out footwork step.
Topics Covered:
Rules and Equipment: Table dimensions, net height, ball and paddle overview.
Grip Technique: Standard shakehand grip
Basic Stance: Ready position and balance
Understand Spin: Types and effects
Forehand Push: Learn to control the ball with a consistent forehand push.
Backhand Push: Introduction to controlled backhand pushing.
Milestones:
Demonstrate proper grip and stance consistently.
Perform 14 consecutive forehand and backhand pushes with control.
Phase 2: Building Control and Consistency (Weeks 3–5)
Objective: Develop basic stroke consistency and introduce spin mechanics.
Topics Covered:
Forehand Drive: Learn the basics of topspin with correct racket angle and follow-through.
Backhand Drive: Focus on wrist stability and body alignment for accurate shots.
Basic Serves: Start with a forehand pendulum serve and focus on consistent placement.
Footwork Drills: Practice side-to-side and in-out footwork for shot preparation.
Milestones:
Rally 14 consecutive forehand drives with a partner.
Execute 14 accurate backhand drives in a row.
Serve 10 legal balls into the opponent’s court with consistent placement.
Phase 3: Introducing Spin and Rally Skills (Weeks 6–8)
DETAILED LESSONS DROP ON 12/27/2024. SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO BE NOTIFIED AND GAIN ACCESS
Objective: Introduce spin techniques and improve rally endurance.
Topics Covered:
Forehand Topspin Loop: Emphasize brushing contact and timing.
Backhand Topspin: Focus on wrist action and spin consistency.
Spin Serves: Add sidespin and backspin variations to the serve.
Drop Short: Introduce short serve receive with emphasis on control.
Blocking: Learn passive blocking techniques for forehand and backhand.
Milestones:
Perform 14 consistent forehand topspin loops.
Perform 14 consistent backhand topspin loops.
Return a spin serve consistently in at least 8 out of 10 attempts.
Engage in a 5-hit rally combining forehand and backhand strokes.
Phase 4: Transitioning to Offensive Play (Weeks 9–12)
Objective: Enhance attacking skills and introduce basic game tactics.
Topics Covered:
Third-Ball Attack: Serve with spin and follow up with an underspin loop both sides.
Forehand Smash: Learn to capitalize on high balls with a power stroke.
Backhand Flick: Technique for attacking short balls on the backhand side.
Basic Tactics: Understanding opponent weaknesses and shot placement.
Milestones:
Successfully execute 5 third-ball attack sequences during drills.
Smash high balls with 80% accuracy during practice.
Win 3 out of 5 practice games using consistent offensive play.
Phase 5: Advanced Footwork and Spin Mastery (Weeks 13–16) SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO BE NOTIFIED AND GAIN ACCESS WHEN DETAILED LESSONS OPEN
Objective: Master advanced footwork and refine spin techniques for game scenarios.
Topics Covered:
Forehand and Backhand Counter loops: Practice countering topspin with topspin.
Dynamic Footwork Drills: Focus on diagonal and crossover steps.
Advanced Serves: Incorporate deceptive spin variations and service placement.
Matchplay Strategy: Combining offense, defense, and positioning during games.
Milestones:
Rally 8 counter loops consistently with a partner.
Successfully execute 3 advanced serves that opponents struggle to return.
Demonstrate tactical awareness by winning 2 out of 3 matches against peers.
Final Phase: Transitioning to Intermediate Play (Weeks 17–20) SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO BE NOTIFIED AND GAIN ACCESS WHEN DETAILED LESSONS OPEN
Objective: Combine all learned skills into cohesive gameplay and prepare for intermediate competition.
Topics Covered:
Consistency Under Pressure: Practice rallies under match conditions.
Advanced Rally Patterns: Practice combinations like push-loop, block-smash, etc.
Mental Resilience: Techniques to stay focused during competitive matches.
Tournament Preparation: Rules, scoring systems, and warm-up routines.
Milestones:
Sustain rally consistency for at least 5 hits without breaks in focused drills.
Win practice matches against players of similar skill level.
Participate in a beginner/intermediate tournament or competitive session.
Progression Guidelines:
Ensure milestones are consistently achieved before moving forward.
Revisit earlier phases for refinement if necessary.
Encourage individual reflection on strengths and areas for improvement.
This syllabus balances foundational skills with advanced techniques, ensuring a smooth and comprehensive journey from beginner to intermediate table tennis mastery.
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