Ping Pong Playing Styles

If you are new to table tennis and all the terminology it can be quite overwhelming. Not only do you have to learn the techniques themselves, you also have to learn all the new terms and slang variations.

When it comes down to playing styles, it should be noted that they are usually categorized according to the level of aggressiveness and are broken into offensive and defensive playing. And since each opponent plays both offense and defense, there is a great deal of overlapping.

Generally speaking the more advanced playing styles utilize spin on the ping pong ball along with a powerful shot. These types of shots also require speedy footwork and a high level of stamina.

In order to defend against such an attack, an aggressive ping pong defender relies heavily on the use of backspin. The more traditional defensive player relies more on a shakehand grip and does not make very many aggressive moves.

The names of the ping pong styles themselves are often derived from the grip most frequently utilized throughout the game.

For example, styles which use the penhold grip are referred to as penhold looper, penhold counter drive, and penhold pimpled hitter.

The other most often used grip in ping pong is the shakehand grip and they styles of playing which utilize this grip are the shakehand looper, shakehand all around attacker, shakehand counter drive, and shakehand attacking chopper.