Ping Pong

My first employment came with two praiseworthy perks. One, the firm offered free membership to the nearby Gold's gym where I could go and spend time bathing, enjoying free sauna and exercising (if I would) for as long as I wanted. And two, the office had stimulating ping pong culture with two tables where everybody played at least twice everyday. Given my supervisory role to administer instructions to different teams and collaborate with clients sitting abroad I had immense flexibility and time to capitalise on both of these gifts. Almost everyday, I'd go the gym to cool off and read a book for about an hour. And of course play table tennis for an hour or two with whoever was up there.

So I've played ping pong almost everyday - well five days a week at office and then we went to the club on weekends - for over two years and over time not only have I learnt the game and realised the fun in it, I have gained a handle on numerous tricks, advantages and temperament hacks which I want to cover in this post.

For starters, ping pong is the best indoor game that can be played in a room. The game's got everything - agility, mental alertness, tactic, safety and strength. It's a lifetime sport which can be played all year long across ages and cultures particularly because it's still a light sport. I was amazed to watch handicapped people with various disabilities play the game just fine.

Although China dominates the sport in the international scene and the levels at which players like Ma Long play have to be seen to be believed, yet I follow with great pride the only Indian in the world's top 100 - Achanta Sharath Kamal who's always put a great show against the best of the best.

Here's a representative video from the ITTF channel which you can subscribe to stay updated and watch great games as they come:

2013 best shots

And if you're a fellow learner here's what I've found useful in my stride towards a better game:

1. The easiest way to respond to a serve or a shot is to replicate how it has been created i.e. just try and imitate the racket swing and speed of the opponent if you don't understand a particular serve or shot. In the process you'll get it anyway.

2. If your opponent is like very strong, best to stick to slow, short and low serve. If the opponent is more or less average, vertical chop spin serve could be your jackhammer. I'll post videos of these sometime soon.

3. Make sure you're not playing too close to the table. You can always dive in for short feeds but going back to cover those edge shots is difficult.

4. Try to follow the opponents hand and the ball - be there before the ball arrives and try to play the ball with complete swing rather than just blocking it like a wall. This might make you slow in the beginning but pays huge dividends with time. Watch established players to learn the swing.

5. Play with endurance. Don't try hard to cut corners and somehow score the point. Instead have a great rally, play complete graceful shots and enjoy the game.

6. Tactic, Consistency and Patience are key to ping pong. It's like high speed chess.

7. Make sure you have the right posture (leaning in with legs slightly bent) and maintain your balance as much as you can.

Finally, watch the kings play the game in reputed places and on youtube. Read this book if you have the time.