The main table tennis strokes
Push: a gentle stroke that puts backspin on the ball and keeps it low. It's a safe way to answer a short ball.
Drive and loop: swing forward and up to put topspin on the ball. A loop is a drive with lots of spin. It's the main attacking stroke in modern play.
Block: hold the bat firm near the table and let a fast ball bounce off it. You use your opponent's own speed.
Chop: a defensive stroke played away from the table. It sends the ball back with heavy backspin, so it floats low.
Smash: a fast, hard hit on a high ball to finish the rally. Flick: a quick snap of the wrist to attack a short ball.
Drop shot: a soft, short ball that lands near the net, so your opponent has to run in. Mix your strokes so your opponent can't guess what's next.
Quick quiz
1. Which stroke puts backspin on the ball and keeps it low?
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Push. A push is a gentle stroke with backspin that keeps the ball low.
2. What is a loop?
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A drive with a lot of topspin. A loop is a topspin drive with a lot of spin, and the main attacking stroke today.
3. What does a drop shot do?
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Lands short, near the net. A drop shot is soft and short, so your opponent has to run in.
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