Beginner table tennis drills you can do at a club
Matches are fun, but short drills build skills faster. These five need only a partner and a table.
1. Forehand-to-forehand push
Both players push the ball back and forth with the forehand, keeping it low and slow. Goal: 20 in a row. This builds touch.
2. Backhand-to-backhand push
Same idea on the backhand side. Most beginners have a weaker backhand, so spend extra time here.
3. Forehand and backhand counter-hit
Move to short, quick hits instead of pushes. Each player keeps the ball on one side of the table. Goal: 30 in a row on each side.
4. Crosscourt and straight
One player alternates between crosscourt and down the line. The partner returns every ball to the same spot. The first player learns direction, the second learns to read the ball.
5. Serve and receive
Take turns serving ten balls each. The receiver tries to return each serve to a target. Practice legal serves and vary spin and placement.
How to ask someone to drill
Be direct and polite: "Would you like to rally for ten minutes before we play?" Most regulars say yes. Swap ideas on which drills help, and thank them. For more on club habits, see etiquette.
Keep it short
Ten to fifteen minutes of drills before a match session beats an hour of unfocused play. Quality matters more than volume.
Published Oct 3, 2026.