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Table Tennis Blog

Level up your game with practical, coach-written guides on technique, equipment, strategy, and the mental side of table tennis, plus the lastest table tennis news, all-in-one place. Fresh, free content added every day. Read, learn, share with friends and play better together!

21,123 views Featured Events

All 6 Racquet Sports in Toronto: RacquetsUp Expo 2027

Tennis, table tennis, pickleball, padel, squash, and badminton, all on one show floor. The full breakdown of every sport at Toronto's biggest racquet sports weekend.

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22,201 views Featured Event

RacquetsUp Expo 2027

Pong Home is proud to partner with RacquetsUp Expo 2027, one of North America’s premier racquet sports events, coming to Toronto this February. An exclusive discount code is available on this page.

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10,396 views Featured Club Culture

He didn't have a racket but he kept showing up.

Meet Yafet, a 12-year-old Canadian player with a borrowed racket and real passion. Pong Home is rallying support to help him compete.

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35,048 views Mental Game

Tips, Techniques & the Mental Game

Pre-match routines, handling pressure at deuce, and how to train composure like any other skill: the habits behind players who win the close ones.

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12,222 views Events

Pickleball, Tennis, Table Tennis, and Badminton Meet in Toronto at RacquetsUp Expo 2027

A closer look at the pickleball, tennis, table tennis, and badminton programming at RacquetsUp Expo 2027, Toronto's biggest racquet sports weekend this February.

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5,753 views Technique

How to Read Spin on Your Opponent's Serve

How to spot backspin, topspin, and sidespin by watching racket angle, contact point, and bounce.

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3,104 views Events

Pickleball in Toronto: Your Guide to RacquetsUp Expo 2027

Live pickleball courts, paddle demos, and where to find pickleball locations around Toronto, plus how table tennis fits into the same February weekend.

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2,788 views Events

Tennis in Toronto: Your Guide to RacquetsUp Expo 2027

Live tennis courts, racquet demos, and stringing at RacquetsUp Expo 2027, plus where else to play tennis in Toronto and how table tennis fits in.

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6,247 views Mental Game

The Mental Difference Between Good Players and Great Players

Good and great players often share the same strokes. Here is what actually separates them: focus under pressure, how they recover from mistakes, and the habits you can train.

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1,842 views Events

RacquetsUp Expo 2027 Promo Code: Save 10% on Tickets

The Pong Home discount code for RacquetsUp Expo 2027, plus prices for every pass, including day pass, weekend pass, junior, and VIP.

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6,183 views Training

Why More Table Tennis Players Are Traveling to Train in China

Table tennis camps, Chinese coaching, and real training intensity are pulling club players overseas. Here is what it costs, what to expect, and whether the trip is worth it.

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3,506 views Benefits

Do Not Play Table Tennis

Unless you want sharper reflexes, real friendships, and a stress reliever that fits in a garage. Read this at your own risk.

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5,921 views Technique

Why Some Table Tennis Players Look Unorthodox but Are Extremely Effective

An unusual backswing or short follow-through doesn't mean bad technique. Here's why timing, feel, and repeatability beat a textbook stroke.

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8,303 views Technique

How to Forehand Loop in Table Tennis: A Step-by-Step Guide

A step-by-step forehand loop guide covering stance, brushing angle, and a simple drill progression.

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8,347 views Technique

How to Smash in Table Tennis: Timing, Technique, and Common Mistakes

When to smash, how to time the shot, and the most common mistakes that cost the point.

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3,528 views Technique

Table Tennis Chop Defense: How to Beat Loopers and Hitters

How to use positioning, spin variation, and patience to beat aggressive loopers and hitters.

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3,467 views Technique

How to Lob in Table Tennis: Turning Defense Into a Weapon

When to use a lob, how to add spin, and how to turn a defensive lob into a counter-attack.

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3,572 views Reference

Ping Pong vs Table Tennis: Is There Actually a Difference?

Ping pong and table tennis are the same sport, but the names carry different histories and connotations.

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3,519 views Equipment

How to Choose the Right Table Tennis Blade for Your Playing Style

How blade construction, speed category, and handle shape affect your game and setup.

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3,603 views Equipment

Table Tennis Ball Guide: 40mm Sizes, Star Ratings, and Materials Explained

What ball size, star ratings, and poly versus celluloid materials mean for practice and competition.

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5,473 views Equipment

Best Table Tennis Tables for Home Use: What to Look for Before You Buy

What tabletop thickness, indoor versus outdoor construction, and foldability mean for choosing a home table.

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5,507 views Training

Table Tennis Warm-Up Routine: 6 Steps Before Every Match

A six-step physical warm-up routine covering cardio, dynamic stretching, wrist activation, and progressive hitting.

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5,544 views Club Culture

Table Tennis vs Badminton: Which Racket Sport Should You Try

How table tennis and badminton compare in space, physical demands, and skill ceiling.

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5,183 views Equipment

Buying Used Table Tennis Equipment: A Buyer's Checklist

Six checks to run before buying a used blade or rubber, from cracks and rubber wear to fair pricing.

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5,297 views Equipment

How to Choose Your First Table Tennis Rubber

How rubber speed, spin, control, and sponge thickness affect your game, and how to pick your first sheet.

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5,411 views Mental Game

Pre-Match Routines: How Competitive Players Prepare to Win

Seven proven habits competitive players use to warm up, focus, and reduce nerves before stepping to the table.

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5,529 views Technique

Shakehand vs Penhold Grip: Which Table Tennis Grip Is Right for You

A side by side comparison of table tennis's two dominant grips to help you choose the right foundation.

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5,647 views Doubles

Doubles Table Tennis Rules: Rotation, Serving, and Positioning Explained

A clear breakdown of doubles serving order, diagonal placement, alternating shots, and positioning.

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5,341 views Club Culture

10 Celebrities Who Genuinely Love Table Tennis

From Justin Bieber to Barack Obama, 10 famous names with a real, documented love of table tennis.

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5,219 views Training

The Table Tennis Plateau: Why You Stop Improving After Years of Playing

The real reasons long-term players stop progressing, and the specific training changes that get you moving again.

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5,847 views Technique

How to Find Your Opponent's Weakness in a Table Tennis Match

A short scouting process for the warm up and the first few points, so you know exactly where to serve and attack instead of guessing.

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10,374 views Mental Game

When Your Opponent Says “I’m Just Warming Up”

Is it gamesmanship or a genuine slow start? How to keep your head straight either way, without getting intimidated or complacent.

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10,926 views Doubles

When Your Partner Misses an Easy Ball in Doubles

What to say, and not say, when your doubles partner misses an easy ball, how to fix coverage gaps, and how to be a partner people want to play with again.

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11,458 views Club Culture

The Different Types of Players at Every Table Tennis Club

From the Sandbagger to the Warm-Up Legend, 9 player archetypes you'll recognize from your own club, and probably from yourself too.

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11,962 views Club Culture

Every Table Tennis Player's Excuses After Losing

From dead rubber to weird lighting to being just rusty, 10 of the most familiar table tennis excuses after a loss, and what's really going on.

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12,476 views Technique

How to Beat Long Pips in Table Tennis

Here's why heavy spin backfires against long pips, how to attack the short ball, and how to serve and rally smarter to actually beat it.

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10,472 views Troubleshooting

10 Common Table Tennis Problems and How to Fix Them

Backhand into the net, forehand going long, popping up short serves, losing at 9-9: 10 recurring problems diagnosed with a fix to try.

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11,228 views Equipment

Pips Explained: Long Pips vs. Short Pips

What long and short pips rubber actually do to the ball, why they feel so different to play against, and how to adjust your game against each.

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12,166 views Technique

10 Serves Every Player Should Learn

From the pendulum serve to the tomahawk and the ghost serve, 10 essential serves explained, with how to execute each one and when to use it.

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13,484 views Technique

Serve & Return Mechanics

How to read heavy sidespin and backspin, the legal 16cm toss height, spotting topspin vs. backspin, and how to execute a pendulum serve and banana flick.

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14,718 views Rules & Scoring

Table Tennis Rules & Scoring, Explained

Is ping pong the same as table tennis? How many points win a game? What are the serving rules? A clear FAQ on the sport's rules.

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16,254 views Equipment

How Often Should I Change My Rubber?

How to tell when grip has faded, a realistic replacement schedule based on how much you play, and habits that make a fresh sheet last longer.

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18,482 views Equipment

Where Can I Buy a Table Tennis Racket?

Sporting goods stores, specialty retailers, used gear, and direct-from-brand: where to shop, what each option is good for, and how to check you're getting a fair deal.

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22,926 views Training

How to Improve Your Footwork

The invisible skill behind every clean stroke. Learn the four core movement patterns, recovery habits, and drills that build faster, more balanced footwork.

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25,934 views Equipment

All-Wood vs. Carbon Blades

Inner carbon, outer carbon, or pure wood: how each construction plays, and a simple framework for choosing the right blade for your level and style.

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30,378 views Technique

How to Improve Your Backhand

Build a backhand drive and loop that hold up under pressure, plus serve-receive tactics and drills to make your backhand a weapon, not a weakness.

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📖 The Full Handbook

Point Winner: The Tactical Playbook for Modern Table Tennis

A complete, chapter-by-chapter training book covering grip, stance, spin, tactics, and match strategy, free to read on Pong Home.

📚 Reference Guide

The Complete Table Tennis Dictionary

170+ terms covering equipment, grip styles, strokes, spin, tactics, rules, and competition, all in one searchable glossary.