Ping Pong's Coolest Tricks to Elevate Your Game

While ping pong is a fast-paced and thrilling game on its own, adding some flair with tricks can make it even more exciting. Whether you're a casual player looking to impress friends or a serious competitor seeking an edge, these tricks will surely make you the star of the table.

1. The Around-the-Net Shot: Precision and Style

One of the most visually impressive ping pong tricks is the around-the-net shot. Instead of hitting the ball straight over the net, this trick involves sending the ball around the net, making it curve back into your opponent's side. To execute this move, you need exceptional control over your shots and a good understanding of angles. It's not just about power, but finesse and timing. Perfecting this trick will leave your opponents shaking their head and scrambling to return your shots.

How to Do It:
To perform the around-the-net shot, you need impeccable timing, precision, and a great grasp of angles. Follow these steps:

As your opponent hits the ball, position yourself close to the net on your side.
Anticipate the trajectory of the ball, keeping track of its speed and spin.
Just before the ball reaches the net, move slightly to the side and hit the ball with a sweeping motion of your racket.
Aim to send the ball around the net, making sure it curves back into your opponent's side.
The ball should clear the net and land on your opponent's side of the table without touching the net or going out of bounds.

2. Behind-the-Back Shot: Playful and Unpredictable

The behind-the-back shot is a crowd-pleaser that adds an element of surprise to your game. As your opponent anticipates your regular shot, switch things up by hitting the ball from behind your back. This trick requires flexibility, quick reflexes, and a bit of practice to get the timing right. It's not only a showstopper but can also catch your opponent off guard, earning you some valuable points.

How to Do It:
The behind-the-back shot is all about surprising your opponent with an unexpected shot from an unconventional position. Follow these steps:

When the ball approaches your side of the table, turn your body sideways and let the ball pass behind your back.
With your non-dominant hand, reach around your body and hit the ball with the backside of your racket.
Aim for a shot that will catch your opponent off guard and be difficult to return.
Practice the motion to build coordination and accuracy, as hitting the ball behind your back can be challenging.

3. The No-Look Serve: Mind Games and Control

If you're looking to mess with your opponent's mind, the no-look serve is a fantastic choice. Instead of making direct eye contact while serving, keep your eyes averted, making it appear as if you're not paying attention. Then, just as your opponent relaxes their guard, deliver a powerful and well-placed serve. The element of surprise can often result in an ace or a weak return from your opponent.

How to Do It:
The no-look serve is all about deception and timing. Follow these steps:

Stand in your regular serving position at the back of your side of the table.
As you toss the ball for your serve, avert your gaze to a different spot on the table or look away entirely.
Maintain your focus on the spot you've chosen, even as you swing your racket to hit the ball.
Aim for accuracy and spin just like you would with a regular serve.
Your opponent might misjudge the ball's trajectory due to the absence of your usual eye contact, leading to a weaker return or even an ace.

4. Spin Master: Curving the Ball

Mastering spin is crucial in ping pong, and you can take it to the next level by deliberately curving the ball in unexpected directions. Learn the different types of spin—topspin, backspin, sidespin—and how they affect the ball's trajectory. Use this knowledge to your advantage by disguising the spin and making the ball behave in ways your opponent doesn't expect. You'll have them running all over the table trying to figure out where the ball will land.

How to Do It:
Controlling the spin of the ball is essential in ping pong, and you can add an element of surprise by curving the ball unexpectedly. Follow these steps:

Practice generating different types of spin: topspin (forward spin), backspin (backward spin), and sidespin (lateral spin).
Experiment with your racket angle and the direction of your swing to manipulate the spin.
As you play a regular shot, apply the desired spin to the ball to alter its trajectory.
Your opponent might struggle to anticipate the spin, leading to misjudged returns.

5. The Jump Shot: Adding Height to Your Game

Elevate your ping pong game, quite literally, by incorporating jump shots. These shots involve jumping as you hit the ball, allowing you to add extra height and unpredictability to your shots. While this trick may not be suitable for all situations, it can catch your opponent off guard when used strategically. Remember to focus on accuracy and timing to ensure that your jump shots land where you intend them to.

How to Do It:
Jump shots add an extra level of excitement to your gameplay by introducing height. Follow these steps:

As the ball approaches, time your jump so that your racket meets the ball at the highest point of your jump.
While in the air, swing your racket with power and precision to direct the ball's trajectory.
Aim for accuracy, as the added height can allow you to hit angles that are difficult for your opponent to defend.
Use jump shots sparingly and strategically, as mistimed jumps can lead to errors.

6. The Two-Bounce Serve: Tricky and Sneaky

In a standard ping pong serve, the ball must bounce on the server's side before crossing the net. However, with the two-bounce serve, you intentionally let the ball bounce twice on your side before sending it over. This tricky move can confuse your opponent, who might be expecting the traditional serve. Keep in mind that the second bounce must occur as close to the net as possible for this trick to be effective.

How to Do It:
The two-bounce serve is a clever way to surprise your opponent with a unique spin on the traditional serve. Follow these steps:

Position yourself at the back of your side of the table in the standard serving position.
Instead of hitting the ball after the first bounce, wait for it to bounce a second time on your side.
Time your hit so that the ball clears the net and lands on your opponent's side after its second bounce.
This unexpected timing can lead to confusion and potentially catch your opponent off guard.

With great power, comes great responsibility, so make sure to ground yourself with the ping pong basics before entering the realm of trickery!