Do you love table tennis but feel like you can never win against better players? Or maybe you’re just starting out and want to know how to beat those who have been playing for years. Either way, this guide is for you!
Beating players better than you certainly is as hard as it sounds, but it’s still possible. Adapting your game to your opponent is one of the best ways to excel at table tennis.
How to Beat Better Table Tennis Players
- Use their power against them by blocking.
- Attack their weakness
- Play smart and aggressively
- Keep the ball in play
- Stay calm and focused
- Serve better
Beating Players Better Than You (7 Tactics)
1. Use Their Power Against Them
One way to beat a better player is to use their own power against them. If they hit the ball hard, let the ball bounce and give it a hard block. This will take away some of their power and make it easier for you to control the point.
2. Attack Their Weaknesses
Every player has weaknesses, even the best in the world. By attacking your opponent’s weaknesses, you can often catch them off guard and win points that they wouldn’t expect you to win.
3. Play Smart and Aggressive
Playing smart and aggressively is a great way to beat any opponent, regardless of their skill level. Be patient and wait for your opportunity to attack.
When you do attack, do so with everything you have. This will keep your opponent on their toes and often lead to mistakes on their part.
4. Keep the Ball in Play
One of the best ways to beat a better player is to simply keep the ball in play. The more shots you can make them hit, the more likely they are to make a mistake. And as we all know, mistakes are often what decide table tennis points.
This often results in long rallies however, so be sure to know how to handle them. Even when you’re a couple of meters away from the table you should be able to return the ball without hitting the net.
5. Stay calm and focused
It’s easy to get caught up in the moment when you’re playing table tennis, especially if you’re playing against a better opponent. But it’s important to stay calm and focused if you want to have any chance of winning. Take a deep breath before each point and don’t get too frustrated if you make a mistake.
“Tilting” is an achilles heel for a lot of amateur players out there, even professionals get affected by it at times! Table tennis is actually a much more mental game than some might believe. You’re 7 points down? Okay, focus on the next one. Don’t get stuck up on past mistakes and focus on the ball at hand.
6. Serve better
Keep a close eye on how your opponent returns your different serves. Mix them up in the beginning stages of the game. Once it starts wrapping up, only use the serves of which you saw the opponent being bad at returning.
Here you can also start noticing patterns. When you do a backspin serve in their backhand they always return it with backspin to your forehand for example. Take advantage of that and be ready when the ball comes in your forehand the next time, an easy way to win a point!
7. Have fun!
This may seem like an odd tip, but it’s actually one of the most important. If you’re not having fun, you’re not going to play your best. So relax, enjoy yourself, and who knows, maybe you’ll even surprise yourself with a win or two.
How to Beat Better Table Tennis Players
The best tip to beating better table tennis players is to stay calm. Many players look at their opponents ranking points before the match and think they don’t stand a chance. Anyone can win, even you!
Conclusion
Table tennis is a sport that anyone can excel at given the right amount of practice and dedication. By following the tips above, you’ll be well on your way to beating those better players in no time. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start playing!
One of the best ways to beat a table tennis player who is better than you is to stay calm. Many people look at their opponents’ ranking points before the match and think they don’t stand a chance. However, anyone can win, even if they are not the best player.
It is important to remember that table tennis is a sport that anyone can excel at with enough practice and dedication. By following some simple tips, such as staying calm and focused, you can improve your chances of winning against better players. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start playing!
*The header picture in this article is taken from here!
I have been in the table tennis sphere for over 10 years. I started playing when I was young, playing tournaments and competitions all over the country. Then my during my young adult years I stopped playing, to later pick it up when I grew older.
Over the years I’ve loved testing new gear, I’d say that’s one of the things that kept me interested in the sport. Long pips, short pips, speed glue on slow blades, heck, I’ve tried it all! That’s why I accepted the spot as the head writer on this blog, to inform all you asking those questions!