This page will help you as you start to embark on a Table Tennis journey. Some people will be more experiential learners whilst others are more systematic. Some want to limit their learning and education and just enjoy turning and playing, others will enjoy and want to learn and learn some more, and for some there is a lifetime of learning ahead with a growth mindset. You can choose where you go with that learning opportunity. There will be times where you have an appetite to learn, other times less so. Sometimes an annoying loss will spur you forward. When learning you may take on a new shot or a new technique or change of your technique and you may need to be prepared to take 2 steps back and just 1 forward in your game and results, but this can be the road for a longer term improvement so stay patient, Implementing a new or improved shot takes both time to practice it and to then grow confident to play it in the pressure of matches. You may find a shot in practice works really well but in a match it falls apart. This takes time.

​

A big part of your learning strategy and approach is to find your playing identity and strengths. As you learn and educate yourself you will likely evolve your style, identity and direction. A lot of players play really well when they know what style they want to be and practice and learn to compliment that. Such as deciding to be a defensive player.  A part of your identity is deciding your goals, short, medium and long term. Again this may evolve, and a lot of humans find it hard to be satisfied! Other players take a more fluid approach and all round game.

​

Losses are ok, you can learn from them. Everyone loses! It's a lifetime sport! Enjoy the sport! You can review a loss and look to improve. When winning you can review what happened as well. Be happy with your win. What went well though? What can you rely on? What still needs to be improved on? Once you know your identity and direction and style, you can build your strengths but also improve the weaker parts to a decent level. 

​

There is a lot of content available on Table Tennis. Books, videos, forums etc etc. A lot of it is good, but it can be overwhelming, It is one of the reasons we created this website! We have put our favourite resources in the recommendations page on this website.

​

If you have a coach available at a Table Tennis club that you join then this is great news. A coach can teach you in a personal and structured way and guide and give feedback, in a way a player on their own would struggle to. In recent years a number of coaches offer coaching via a webcam or you upload a video. Also talk to other players at your club or session to get their views on the sport and feedback on how you are playing.

​

​

​