Short-game battles

Setup

1. Mark a short zone on each half, roughly a hand's length from the net, with chalk or low tape that won't affect the bounce.
2. Short means the ball would bounce twice on the table if left alone.

How it runs

1. Serve short with backspin or no-spin into the opponent's short zone.
2. Both players must keep the ball short: short pushes, drops and touch returns.
3. If a ball goes long, the other player may attack it with a flick or loop and the point is played out.
4. A ball that goes long and is not attacked still counts, so the rally carries on.
5. Games to 11, win by 2, serve changing every 2 points and every point from 10-all.

Coaching points

• Step in with the playing-side foot under the table and get the head over the ball.
• Take the ball early, just after the bounce, and keep the stroke small.
• Control the bounce height: a low ball near the net is hard to attack.
• Read the spin: open the bat more against heavy backspin, less against no-spin.

Common mistakes

• Pushing with a big swing so the ball floats long.
• Reaching in with the arm while the feet stay back.
• Popping the ball up high, which hands the opponent a flick.