Table Tennis: Drive and Backhand Technique
Table tennis focused on forehand drive and backhand technique, covering the grip, ready position, guided rallies and games to 11. Students develop hand-eye coordination and ball control.
How to play
- Review the shakehand grip and the ready position with knees bent and paddle in front; pairs or groups of three per table (3 min).
- Forehand drive: brush the ball low to high and forward, closing the paddle face, rallying crosscourt forehand to forehand (6 min).
- Backhand: hit in front of the body using the elbow as the pivot, rallying crosscourt backhand to backhand (6 min).
- Alternating rally: one player always hits to the same spot while the partner alternates forehand and backhand; switch roles every 2 minutes (6 min).
- Games to 11 points with 2 serves each; in groups of three, the waiting player umpires and plays the next game (8 min).
- Collect balls and paddles and share which stroke improved most (1 min).
Rules
- Take turns at the table and follow the rotation in groups of three.
- Retrieve balls without walking behind tables in play; wait for the rally to stop.
- On the serve, the ball must bounce first on your side and then on the opponent's.
- Safety: tables at least 6 feet apart and no balls left on the floor.
Variations
Easier
Slow cooperative rally, counting hits in a row.
Standard
Alternating forehand and backhand in a guided rally.
Harder
Game where points won with a forehand drive count double.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: play seated, with the partner placing the ball within reach.
- Visual impairment: ball in a color that contrasts with the table and slow rallies.
- Coordination issues or lower skill: light paddle and a larger ball, or letting the ball bounce on your own side first.
Learning goals
- Improve forehand drive and backhand technique.
- Develop hand-eye coordination.
- Use these strokes in game play.
Equipment for a class of 25
- ping-pong tables: 8
- paddles: 25
- balls: 40
Teacher tip
Keep a bin of balls at each table so no time is lost chasing them. The typical backhand mistake is hitting off to the side: cue students to contact the ball in front of the belly button.
PatioLab has "Table Tennis: Drive and Backhand Technique" and 599 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More main activities for High School
1v1 Ball Volley Matches
1v1 ball volley: singles games on a small court with a low net, hitting the ball over the net and allowing one bounce. Students work on striking, court positioning and quick decision-making.
Acrosport in Groups of 4
Partner and group stunts (acrosport) in groups of 4: building simple human pyramids and balances with bases, flyers and spotters while following safety rules. Students develop strength, balance, cooperation and creativity by linking poses together.
Adapted 6v6 Volleyball
6v6 volleyball with adapted rules so the ball stays in play longer and the whole team takes part: catching is allowed on the first contact and serves come from closer in. Students practice the set, the forearm pass (bump), the serve and rotation.
Adapted American Football: Flag Football
Flag football: a non-contact version of American football where a play ends when a defender pulls one of the flags from the ball carrier's belt. Students work on throwing a football, team strategy and fair play.
Adapted Baseball/Rounders with Batting
A modified bat-and-ball game, somewhere between baseball and rounders, with hitting a softly pitched ball, running four bases and organized fielding. Students practice striking with an implement, catching, decision-making and team strategy.
Adapted Beach Volleyball (No Net)
Modified 2v2 beach volleyball with no net: a line of cones on the ground divides the courts and the ball must travel high over it. Students practice sets, forearm passes (bumps) and communicating with their partner.