Skills Left-Handed Players Should Hone and How to Practice Them 🏓

In table tennis, left-handed players have overwhelmingly more opportunities to practice with right-handed players.

Because of this environment, the "left-handed advantage" is often not fully utilized.

The improvement points for each technique are basically the same as for right-handed players. However, you should focus on those that allow you to leverage your left-handed characteristics.

In this article, I will introduce the techniques that left-handed players should practice and how to do so.

(1) Table Tennis Left-Handed Serve

There are two types of serves that left-handed players should practice: a short side-under spin serve to the forehand, and a long, fast side-under or side-top spin serve to the backhand.

With these two types, left-handed players can fight with an advantage.

For the short under-spin serve to the forehand, make sure it bounces twice on the table. If the second bounce goes off the table, its effectiveness will be drastically reduced.

Alternatively, as shown in the figure below, make it go outside the sideline. It is important to choose a length and course that makes it difficult for the opponent to receive.

For the long, fast serve to the backhand, prioritize speed over spin.

These two are the privileges of being left-handed. Be sure to master them.

(2) Table Tennis Left-Handed: Moving Around / 3rd Ball Attack

Left-handed players should practice moving around. "Moving around" refers to the movement of stepping around to hit a ball coming to the backhand with the forehand.

For left-handed vs. right-handed players, the backhand-to-backhand rally becomes a straight course. Therefore, the timing to move around and hit is earlier than when right-handed players play each other, giving you an advantage.

There are three ways to practice moving around.

❶ Backhand -> Move around for forehand

Have your partner feed balls only to your backhand side.

Repeat hitting with your backhand, then moving around to hit with your forehand, alternating between the two.

❷ Three-point jump

Have your partner feed balls one by one to your backhand, backhand, and forehand. Hit the first backhand ball with your backhand, move around to hit the second backhand ball with your forehand, and move widely to hit the third forehand ball with your forehand.

Repeat this to become stronger in the rallies that follow your side-step footwork.

❸ Side-stepping for a third-ball attack

Practice side-stepping to hit a third-ball attack.

Serve with backspin to the opponent's backhand and have them return it with a push. Then, side-step and hit it hard with a push-strike or a loop drive.

This is a more practical method for practicing side-stepping.

(3) Table Tennis Left-Hander: Blocking

Left-handers absolutely must practice blocking. "Blocking" is the technique used to neutralize a powerful shot.

If you cannot do this, it is fatal. Backhand blocking, in particular, is essential.

Left-handers are often attacked from a right-hander's forehand to their own backhand. Also, unlike the cautious backhand-to-backhand cross-court rallies between right-handers, the pace of rallies where shots are hit hard is much faster.

Therefore, left-handers must be able to block to neutralize powerful shots.

In addition to your own specific practice, make sure to practice blocking thoroughly during your partner's loop drive practice or third-ball attack practice. Multi-ball practice is effective for overcoming the fear of powerful shots.

If you cannot block, you cannot win as a left-hander.

♣ Summary

As introduced here, the techniques that left-handers should practice in table tennis are as follows:

▣ Short side-under-spin serve to the forehand and a long, fast serve to the backhand

▣ Side-stepping and side-stepping for a third-ball attack

▣ Backhand blocking

When you always practice with right-handers, you tend to focus only on things that are easy for them.

Actively practice techniques that leverage the characteristics and strengths of being left-handed.

Next time, I would like to introduce [Must-See for Beginners!!] Basic and fundamental practice menus and fun practice methods.