Drill library
Table tennis drills
48 free Table tennis drills, each with the setup, how it runs, what to coach, and how to make it harder or easier. Pick a skill or filter by age, level and squad size.
48 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+
BackhandBackhand drive from a feedThe coach feeds to the backhand and the player drives each ball crosscourt from in front of the body to a target.12 min · 1–4 players · U6+
ReceiveBackhandBackhand flick over the tableStep in and flick a short serve with the backhand, then be ready for the block that comes back.15 min · 2–3 players · U12+
Loop & topspinBackhandBackhand topspin and flick basicsMultiball for the two backhand attacking strokes: topspin a long backspin ball, then flick a short one over the table.15 min · 1–4 players · U12+
ServeBackspin and sidespin servesBuild legal backspin and sidespin serves, landing the backspin short and the sidespin long on marked targets.15 min · 1–4 players · U11+
ReceiveBackhandBanana flick and strawberry flickAttack short serves over the table with two backhand flicks: the banana with strong topspin and sidespin, and the strawberry with the spin reversed.15 min · 2–8 players · U16+
Warm-upRallying & consistencyBat and ball bouncing skillsYoung players bounce the ball on both faces of the bat, on the move and then over the net, to build touch before rallying.10 min · 2–12 players · U5+
Chop & defenceChop defence and recoveryA defender chops forehand and backhand from far back against a looping partner, moving out to each ball and back to the centre between shots.15 min · 2–8 players · U15+
Cool-downCool-down and reviewWind the session down with a half-pace rally, a team ball pick-up and gentle stretches, then a short review of what each player learned.10 min · 2–16 players · U10+
Rallying & consistencyCooperative rally countPartners work together to keep the ball on the table, counting every hit and trying to beat their own best score.10 min · 2–12 players · U6+
Loop & topspinCounter-looping from mid-distanceTwo players step back from the table and trade topspin for topspin, learning to answer a loop with a loop instead of a block.15 min · 2–8 players · U16+
GameDecision-makingDeciding-game pressure pointsPlay the end of a deciding game again and again from set scores, with the change of ends at 5 and the serve alternating from 10-all, until the pressure feels familiar.25 min · 2–16 players · U16+
Doubles playFootworkDoubles movement and alternating hitsTwo pairs rally cooperatively, hitting alternately and moving in and out so each partner always has a clear path to the ball.15 min · 4 players · U12+
Doubles playServeDoubles serve and receive orderWalk through and then play the doubles serving rules: right half to right half, partners hitting alternately, and the serving and receiving order rotating every two points.15 min · 4 players · U12+
Warm-upFootworkDynamic warm-up and shadow playMobilise the shoulders, wrists and calves, shadow strokes with side steps, then build into a gentle rally.10 min · 2–8 players · U10+
FootworkForehandFalkenberg footworkBackhand, forehand from the backhand corner, then wide forehand; three-shot pattern.10 min · 2–6 players · U10+
ServeFirst legal servesNew players learn the legal serve step by step: flat palm, a near-vertical toss of at least 16 cm, strike as it falls, one bounce each side.12 min · 2–8 players · U7+
Chop & defenceRallying & consistencyFishing and lobbing defenceSurvive a smash attack from far back with high, deep topspin lobs, and come forward to fish lower returns when the attacker's ball drops short.12 min · 2–6 players · U16+
Push & blockRallying & consistencyForehand and backhand blockOne player topspins steadily to both halves while the other blocks every ball back from close to the table.12 min · 2–4 players · U10+
ForehandRallying & consistencyForehand counter rallyRally forehand to forehand crosscourt, keeping the ball low and consistent.8 min · 2–8 players · U7+
ForehandForehand drive from a feedThe coach feeds steady balls to the forehand and the player drives each one crosscourt to a target, building a repeatable forehand.12 min · 1–4 players · U6+
ReceiveForehand flick and short receiveReceive short serves to the forehand three ways: a forehand flick, a short touch back, or a long push, chosen by reading the spin and height.15 min · 2–8 players · U16+
Loop & topspinForehandForehand topspin against backspinMultiball, then live: lift a long backspin ball with a forehand topspin that lands deep on the far half.15 min · 1–4 players · U11+
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+