Getting Started: A Ping Pong Tip Or Two For Beginners

So, you made the plunge, bought the ping pong table, and now you don’t know what to do with it. Before your spouse turns it into extra desk space, take a few minutes to learn some tips for getting started as a home ping pong player.

Ping Pong Tip #1: Take A Few Lessons

If you don’t already know how to play, most community centers, junior colleges, and parks and recreation departments offer classes on learning the basics of ping pong—or table tennis, as the purists insist it be called. Many of these classes are free, but even if you have to pay a small fee, it’s better than letting that expensive table go to waste, isn’t it?

Ping Pong Tip #2: Play Regularly

We’ve all heard the old saying, “Use it or lose it.” This is especially true of newly acquired skills. Try to play a couple of games at least three days a week. If you can’t talk your spouse, kids, co-workers, or friends into playing with you, consider purchasing a table tennis robot to give you a workout.

Ping Pong Tip #3: Join A Table Tennis Club

As you become more confident in your play, you may want to join a table tennis club where you can meet other people who enjoy the sport, pick up some pointers, and get even more practice. You may even find yourself graduating from a table tennis club to tournament play!

Ping Pong Tip #4: Get A Good Paddle

Now that you’re a more experienced player, you may want to start buying your blades (the wood part of the paddle) and the sheets of rubber that go over them separately. This is what professional players do. At the very least, you may want to consider upgrading your table tennis paddle to one that matches your playing style (e.g., offensive, defensive, tricky with a lot of spins, etc.)

Ping Pong Tip #5: Keep Your Cool

You’re supposed to be having fun, so try to keep a lid on the temper. Sure, it’s frustrating to miss a shot or to lose a game you think you should have won, but neither is it the end of the world. Yelling and slamming your paddle into the table will only make you look childish and wreck your equipment. If you’re prone to outbursts of temper, learn to take a few deep breaths or count to ten. Nobody wants to play with a sore loser.

Ping Pong Tip #5: Keep The Eye Of The Tiger

Always play your best. Some people self-sabotage with thoughts like, “I don’t deserve to win,” “I’m just lucky today. She’s really the better player,” or, “If I beat him at ping pong he’ll never call me again.” Turn the negative thoughts off and remember that you are a competent and talented player. You deserve to win every bit as much as your opponent does. And if someone dislikes you because you beat them at a game, that person was probably not a good potential partner or friend anyway. If you notice yourself engaging in a lot of negative self-talk, a sports counseling session or two may be in order to set you on the path to higher self confidence.

These simple tips should help you get started with your new ping pong equipment. Good exercise and good luck!