Table tennis drills
Table tennis tactics & patterns drills
6 free Table tennis drills for tactics & patterns, each with the setup, how it runs, what to coach, and how to make it harder or easier.
6 drills
Loop & topspinTactics & patternsAttacking a chopperLoop patiently against heavy backspin, pull the defender in with a short drop, then attack the long ball that comes back.15 min · 2–8 players · U16+
Tactics & patternsDecision-makingGame plans against different stylesOne player takes on a set playing style; the other plans, tests and adjusts tactics game by game, the way a match against a stranger unfolds.30 min · 2–8 players · U16+
Tactics & patternsPlaying the elbowSwitch from a backhand diagonal rally to the opponent's elbow, the crossover point between forehand and backhand, then attack the corner left open.15 min · 2–4 players · U13+
ReceiveTactics & patternsReceive and fourth-ball counterReturn a short serve with a controlled long push, then be ready to block or counter the server's opening attack on the fourth ball.15 min · 2–4 players · U12+
ServeLoop & topspinServe and third-ball attackServe short with backspin, read the push that comes back and attack it with a forehand loop on the third ball.15 min · 2–4 players · U12+
ServeTactics & patternsServe disguise and variationBuild a family of legal serves from one action, so the receiver cannot tell backspin from no-spin or short from long until the bat meets the ball.15 min · 2–8 players · U16+