Ping Pong Practice By Yourself: Top 5 Ways for 2023
- Daniel Truong
- No Comments
How to practice ping pong alone?
Of course, we have to abide by the adage that practice makes perfect–and it is perfectly applicable in ping pong. I mean, you can’t get good at something if you don’t have enough training or exposure, right?
Ping pong looks so simple, but once you are on the table, things will get a sharp turn. It’s the very reason why many enthusiasts and serious players are trying their best to get as much practice as they want.
But there’s one hurdle that they need to overcome: practicing ping pong even if they are not up against anyone.
Fortunately, this is not an unsolvable riddle. Interestingly enough, there are multiple means of how to play ping pong alone.
Here are some of them.
Table of Contents
How To Practice Ping Pong Alone?
Ping Pong Practice With A Robot
Hey! I bet that some of you are unaware that there are robots that can play ping pong with you.
Of course, it is not that easy to believe, though–not until you see professionals honing their skills with cold but accurate machines. Don’t worry, though, as we are not being taken over by Skynet yet.
Ping pong robots are machines designed to become anyone’s opponent in the field. They basically shoot balls, and it is up to you if you can return them or not.
Now, ping pong robots do vary. The entry-level models can only shoot balls in a singular or fixed direction; meanwhile, the more sophisticated and expensive ones can actually shoot balls as if a human player has hit them.
For professionals and serious players, these high-end robots are the most cost-efficient option. After all, you can program them to hit balls through different serves, force, and direction.
With these dynamic robots, you will be able to strengthen your ping pong fundamentals even by yourself!
How To Play Ping Pong Alone With Your Table?
I know that this sounds ridiculous, but hear me out first.
Many of you have the “default” idea that these ping pong tables are just there as your playing platform–similar to a soccer field and basketball court. But the thing is, you can actually configure the table so that it will work in your favor.
However, let me give you a caveat though: not all ping pong tables can do this.
Before you invest in a ping pong table, make sure that you are aware of the playback feature. This particular capability enables you to fold the other half of the table so that it will become a “bouncing board” for the balls.
Tables that have a playback position are usually foldable. They are not similar to the conventional ping pong tables that have a “singular” construction.
Because of this intuitive construction, these foldable tables are not only functional; they are portable and user-friendly, too. Since you can fold these tables, transporting and storing them would be a breeze.
My site KingKongPong.com has a list of some of the finest ping pong tables today. You can check them out now!
Get A Return Board
For those that don’t have a foldable ping pong table but are not willing to get one, this is your next best option.
A returned board is tailored to give you playback capabilities, which is essential if you are practicing ping pong alone. With this particular amenity, you can conveniently play at your own pace.
The advantage of these ping pong return boards is their portability. They require no installation; you don’t need to place or integrate them into your ping pong table.
All you need to do is to position these boards on your opposite end. After that, you can start practicing by yourself.
Interestingly enough, those that have woodworking skills can actually make their own DIY return boards. With the right materials and tools, you don’t need to purchase one–and it could help you save a significant amount of money.
Of course, if you are gunning for quality, investing in those professionally-crafted boards would be the best choice. Keep in mind that these return boards have the same degree of importance as your ping pong bats.
Learn The Art Of Shadow Play
Shadow play is not actually a conventional routine in ping pong. Most of the time, such a technique is commonly found in physical contact sports such as boxing and mixed martial arts.
The idea of shadow play is simple: you imagine yourself playing or going against an opponent. Of course, we have to indicate that we can calibrate our actions by conditioning our minds.
Ping pong players are divided when it comes to shadow play. Some believe that it is not a good way of sharpening your skills in the game; others think it is a clever way to improve your overall understanding of the sport.
If you are going to try shadow play in practicing ping pong, I recommend that you find a mirror where you can see yourself. In this way, you can have a visual guide on your practice.
While doing this routine, always be keen on your posture. Be mindful of your stance, how you hold the paddle, and other movements.
If a mirror is seemingly impractical, try shadow playing in front of a camera or video recorder. In this way, you can review your performance and assess the aspects where you need improvement.
Check this video and see some of the basic drills that you can do in a ping pong shadow play:
Watch Others Play
You can practice ping pong even if you are not playing or doing anything. And while it sounds absurd, it is actually doable.
Watching others play is one of the most efficient and hassle-free methods of refining your ping pong skills. It lets you see the best practices when it comes to the sport, which you can adapt on your own arsenals.
You don’t need to go to your local sports and recreational facilities to see ping pong players in action. There are hundreds of videos on YouTube that are dedicated to ping pong.
In fact, you can check the top-of-the-line performance of world-class ping pong players on your smartphone or computer!
And while you are doing so, make sure that you are taking notes of the important things you observed.
Quick note: In KingKongPong, we researched and built TOP Products Review for Your Reviews. For more information, just click below.
Conclusion
Learning how to practice ping pong alone is quite important. After all, you can’t expect that someone will play with you whenever you want to.
Besides, with the on-going pandemic, physical restrictions are already in place. Most recreational and sports facilities are closed, which forced many to settle on their own premises.
Fortunately, being alone is not an excuse for you to get rusty in ping pong. Just follow any of the steps that I’ve mentioned, and you will be able to practice your serves and smashes without relying on anyone.
And I think that’s a kind of independence that you should seek!
That’s it for now. If you have other inquiries, feel free to ask me in the comment section below.
