Why Do People Struggle to Loop the Ball Continuously in Table Tennis? Here’s What’s Holding You Back
Let’s talk about looping in table tennis. It’s one of those skills that, when done right, looks effortless and powerful. But if you’ve ever tried to loop continuously during a rally, you know it’s not as easy as the pros make it seem. A lot of players struggle to keep their loops going, and the reasons usually boil down to a few key issues. Let’s break them down in a way that makes sense—and helps you improve.
Looping Technique
First, let’s look at technique. A good loop isn’t just about hitting the ball hard. It’s about getting everything—your stance, your footwork, and your stroke—working together. One common problem is standing too upright or too far from the table, which makes it hard to adjust to where the ball is coming. Another big issue is footwork. If you’re not moving your feet and just reaching for the ball, you’re going to lose balance and control. And don’t forget about your arm movement. If your stroke is too stiff or your follow-through is off, it’s nearly impossible to loop consistently. The fix? Stay low, stay balanced, and make sure your stroke flows smoothly from start to finish. Think of it as using your whole body—not just your arm—to make the shot.
If you’re having any of the aforementioned issues, we are confident in saying you should be following our FREE Beginner to Intermediate Table Tennis Lesson Plan to build the strong foundation needed to become a loop master.
Ball Contact Timing
Next up is timing. Even if your technique is solid, bad timing can mess everything up. If you hit the ball too early or too late, your loop won’t have the spin or speed it needs. And let’s be real—finding the perfect contact point isn’t easy, especially when the ball is coming at you fast. To get better at this, you’ve got to practice. Use drills, a robot, or a coach feeding you balls, and focus on brushing the ball at just the right moment. Ideally, you want to hit it at the top of its bounce or right after. Once you get that timing down, everything starts to feel smoother.
Adjusting to Varying Spin
The last big obstacle is dealing with your opponent’s spin. This one’s tricky because no two shots are the same. Sometimes the ball comes at you with heavy topspin, and other times it’s loaded with underspin. If you can’t adjust to these changes, you’ll either hit the ball into the net or send it flying off the table. A lot of players make the mistake of looping every ball the same way, but that doesn’t work when the spin keeps changing. The solution? Pay attention to your opponent’s paddle angle and stroke. That’ll give you clues about the kind of spin you’re dealing with. Then, tweak your loop—whether it’s the angle of your paddle or how much power you’re using—to match the spin. It takes practice, but over time you’ll get better at reading the game.
So, if you’re struggling to loop the ball over and over, don’t sweat it. Everyone goes through this phase. The key is to focus on your fundamentals, work on your timing, and learn how to adapt to spin. Start slow, build your confidence, and soon enough, you’ll be looping like a pro.
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