What is the most effective way of winning points in table tennis?

In this video, I highlight five different ways of winning points in table tennis: spin, speed, ball placement, power and disruption.
Which of these methods is the best? Which should you focus on?
This video features the point winning skills of top player and coach Craig Bryant.
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[@adamant8435]

1. Spin: Joo Sae-Hyuk 2. Speed: Ma Lin 3. Ball placement: Waldner 4. Power: Ma Long 5. Disruption: Koki Niwa

[@pearlsalmeida5958]

Goat timo ball

[@nishantupadhyay01]

Topspin: Ma Long

[@ttennisdr]

pretty accurate

[@rushilsunder6e259]

Me all

[@24ghosh24]

spin filus,speed fzd, placement waldner, disruption koki..but i would say strong textbook play wins -ma long

[@mykhailobaturin803]

1. Spin. Generate heavy spin (top or under) to make it hard for your opponents to handle the ball 2. Speed. Take the ball earlier and quicker (closer to the table), to make it harder for your opponent to react by giving them less time 3. Ball placement. Aim your shots at areas of the table where its not comfortable for opponent to receive (corners, close/far from net, opponents body) 4. Power. Pretty straightforward, put more power in shots when you can 5. Distraction. Use disruptive/trick shots to change the pace of the rally. Vary spin/speed to catch your opponents off guard and confuse them

[@rohitkhanna]

I try and incorporate all 5 of these , but select which ones based on a 6th very important 'skill' - to understand your *opponents style of play, and especially to gauge his weak spots* early enough. And USE that knowledge at critical points in your game. For example I had a friend opponent who had an excellent forehand loop, but a bit weaker on his backhand. I would usually just barely manage to beat him. Then one game I decided on a strategy to return ONLY to his backhand for an entire game. It worked dramatically well - He didn't know what hit him !

[@xinzhongwei8739]

Great strategy! I doubt your friend didn’t know you were exclusively returning his shots to his backhand. If his backhand is so much weaker, he could hardly much about that, until he gets better in that aspect of course!

[@djfunkychicken]

The biggest and most effective way I found to improving my game is RECORD YOURSELF Many errors in your technique, shot selection and habits will be more obvious when you play back your session. Having an insight into what your opponent sees has been so been my game changer in many ways

[@jameshamilton6096]

I find carrying a baseball bat, staring unblinkingly, while muttering "I hate to lose," as I dribble from the side of mouth very effective at disrupting my opponents.

[@DragonWarrior976]

❤😂

[@michaelmorley331]

James..sounds effective! I prefer to spit on table ...wide eyed...while speaking in tongues..is also effective.

[@vyacheslavbrodovoy2039]

it works only where there is no right of concealed carry.

[@mrshezi]

This is a great channel and helped me improve in matter of two days. I did exactly these things last night and realised that disruption is great tool but once you are in complete control of your racket. I just made my first custom racket so getting hang of control.Some unexpected spins and wait for it snappy shots helped me win the game. I also tried loads of power and taking time away from opponents but again I first need to get full control of racket to be able to do that.

[@tommymorgan9624]

Great video Tom. Craig is just excellent at all aspects of the game. I like when he’s in your videos especially. You share some really helpful information Tom and I say “thank you “ for helping me to improve my game. I only wish I had a resource like you tube when I was young! I’m 46 and have been playing for about 2 years and I have followed your channel for the same. It has definitely helped!

[@adamszabo2139]

Thanks for wrapping this topic up for us! I think, sometimes there is a sixth key element for winning, which is acting: doing something on purpose to mask our true intention (e.g. varying side-underspin and side-topspin serves, making snakes /referencing to Adam Bobrow, could not resist 😁/, doing no-spin serves and receives), or to recover from unexpected failures (I have a flashback of Timo Boll missing a smash against Truls Moregardh, that was really funny). Speaking about my game, for most of the time, my game was spin and placement based (I used the 'control by spin' approach, but then also started to use 'varying the depth'), but it was lacking speed and power. Then I started to use more parts of my body to execute looping swings, and I also started to hit everything more powerful regardless of the failures to learn, how to be more confident in situations needing shorter but stronger movements and getting right more frontal ball contacts not just brushes - this was a key point for me to start using pimple out rubbers, which adds a whole lot of other maths and awareness requirement until it becomes less of a handicap, but more of an opportunity to use for special purposes. As my forehand was constantly lagging behind about one year compared to my backhand, I also started to use long pimples on my backhand with one of my blades, which forces me to use my forehand more frequently for attacking, but also lets me practice my knowledge about pips on my backhand. The funniest part is that I recently discovered, how to swing into the ball with long pimples, causing noticeably "ill" trajectories and disruption (having 10 or more balls directed into or before the net by my opponents in a practice session). Still, the most difficult part is to have a (preferably) constant awareness of my posture during play - and also have awareness of the opponent's posture, because when I can get it right, when and where is uncomfortable for the opponent, it can get me points much easier. I have an elderly practice partner, who is like a computer, before performing a serve, he assesses my posture in real time, and he can do very uncomfortably placed and greatly varied serves, which work much more often, that I would like 😅

[@mikekearsley2407]

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC POINTS. Thanks from Seattle.

[@spikesflix]

Nice video Tom. For me, as an attacking player, this serves as a very useful reminder that there are other equally effective ways of winning a point other than powerful topspin.

[@ElieStauffer]

I am very good at doing mistakes! That's also my main area of improvement, choosing the right shot to improve consistency...

[@alangoudie2299]

Thank you for a really helpful video. As I am 79 & was just an average local league player I win many points from just returning the ball over the net more times than my opponent. Many of my opponents make far too many mistakes. Naturally I prefer to win points with good shots using all of your suggestions. Ball placement & various spins avoid giving points away rather than going for power. I have watched many of your excellent videos which have really improved my game. I think it is vital to notice my opponent's strengths & weaknesses & vary my game to prevent him dominating the rallies.

[@tommymorgan9624]

Well said.

[@vyacheslavbrodovoy2039]

Doing the same thing, i.e. keeping the ball on the table instead of going for an all-out attack, improved my game much and made an all-round player of me, instead of an attacker. I also switched to a proper rubber and blade for this style.

[@ttconselve]

For win the POINT, I change the service, I change the ball placement and i focus to ball spinning, because I play with a long pips OX, Great video as always, thanks 😉🏓 by from Italy

[@hasanurrahman4386]

Good advice. Really helpful. Thank you.

[@dillonnnnnnnnnn9153]

Hi tom, thanks for another good video it's really good to see your advice

[@Franky_1974]

Nice video. Thanks a lot. I use power and speed with my backhand. I take the ball early and set the opponent under pressure. With my forehand I use heavy spin and placement. My serves are not so spinny and dangerous. And speed variations I am doing with both sides. I try to learn from different videos like yours. And I changed the club for better training with tactics and technique. I am 47 and always loving table tennis. ❤

[@danielnicholson4660]

I'd say for me spin variation. I play with long pimples and chop on my backhand then attack with my forehand. For both this is effective. Sometimes I will use a full deep chopping technique to gain maximum backspin. Then next time I will chop but not quite as much so their is less backspin. My opponent then things it is the same heavy backspin again tries to get a heavy topspin attack and ends up putting it over. This can also work the other way around. As well on my forehand. Doing a heavy topspin where the opponent has to really close their bat angle or it will fly off their bat. Then next time doing the same motion but actually just life the ball instead of spin it up. My opponent thinks they need to close their bat again and end up dunking in the net. This is why time boll is one of the best. An absolute master at spin variation

[@crystalheartsandcosmicdrea9016]

Hi Tom Thank you great things to learn I keep improving thanks to you Tom I bet a number two tonight thank you I have a good serve but not much else I will try aiming for the elbow Thank you Ann From Australia

[@ishowfootball9998]

Thank you this teaches me alot

[@XMcNealX]

nice video! I never really think about these ways during the match but i like all of em. So i think placement and to use different spin are the 2 i could improve the most just by using them more active and look for moments where they help more than just another hard attack.

[@locarxd5471]

I win a lot of points with my forehand whether its power, spin or placement. I also like to serve and third ball with my forehand.

[@graycee8326]

Thanks Tom, love this! Love them all actually. My serves are weak. Although I am more of a defensive player I do tend to attack every now and then given the chance. I do some spin serves which are reasonable but not as good as my son, who wins a lot through them. My weakness is top spin and forehand techniques. I am really trying to get better there as that will make my game so much better. So serves, forehand and speed/power are what I need help with..

[@Arief-PCR-A6]

I like your explanations

[@francodejj]

I'm decent at spin, placement & rally disruption. Need to improve on speed & power. During a game, I tend to hesitate on taking fast/powerful shots for fear of over-hitting, & ball ending outside the table.

[@cristianchretien7322]

Hello Tom, i'm good in powershots and i like to get better in spin! Thanks for the videos ;)

[@blueheart9873]

For me from best to worst: 1) spin 2) ball placement 3) power 4) disruption 5) speed

[@rohitkhanna]

My best to worst is 1, 3,2,4,5 🙂

[@Honeydew0567]

Everyone and I say that my service game is by far my strongest part of my game because of my pendulum style serves which no one else can replicate yet. I believe I need to improve upon my shot selection and learn new tactics for when to be more attacking or when to be more defensive to give myself a mental plan on how to play against my opponent, lastly I'm forever practicing my footwork so it becomes more natural while playing

[@JessieStolar]

Thanks, I needed this to beat the ass holes at work. I will use quick returns, serves, edges and shots that keep them guessing.

[@kyounghwanlee3986]

Thank you for your tips from Hwan in Incheon

[@bulaniii2399]

Watching this before a match i hope for the best

[@crocheli]

nice video , very valid point here. My problem is more during official match with random people where it is like I dont have time to do all this type of variation and always fall back to only one or two like spin and speed and so often loose at the end because the guy adapt to my way of playing after 2 sets. Very hard to not overthink in match condition but I guess that's because a lot of practice is needed.

[@RamiX1117]

I percieve my playing style stronger on power, speed and spin. 80% of my points come from this skills. I need to work on my placement and disruptive shots since I get few points from those skills. I am an average local league player, started training a year ago and befora that just played for fun ocasinally. I used to play basketball when I was in highschool, during my University years I suffered a knee injury that made me retire from basketball. I opted for cycling for some years and now, table tennis is my perfect fit.

[@ianmurphy5975]

I win a lot of points from serve and third ball attack. I try and vary the serves, placement , speed and type frequently throughout a game aiming to keep the opponent guessing. Im just learning staying in the point where as before I would try and win every point outright straight away I am becoming more patient waiting for the opening. I have also started to have some success from attacking backspin serves to me but it has taken a while to start seeing any results

[@stevexbishop]

Hey Tom, I have a video idea for you. Can you talk about selecting the correct Bat inner core and the reason why different thickness rubbers are offered? Thanks for providing you great coaching videos, it’s great to see improvement after following you guidance. Steve

[@hasanurrahman4386]

I face difficulty in playing backhand. If possible please provide some tips to this end.

[@timvandervest5575]

As a mid level player, I find the best way to win points is understanding the weaknesses of my opponent's positioning and footwork. I don't have to hit great shots. I just need to hit a good shot to the right place at the right time.

[@idrivearttabletennis]

I'm pretty good at ball placement. Topspin and backspin are fair. My sidespin needs work. Power? Forehand power shots especially crosscourt are pretty good. I am pretty good at deception. Enjoyed the video - great tips to work on.

[@rchandraprakash7300]

Sir..can you pls explain more what is Push and proper way

[@mega2codnoob]

This also depends a lot on the opponent. I find against some of my opponents they handle my spin well but not the speed that well, and vice versa.

[@axel6137]

I feel more confidence giving a lot of power, and I want to improve on ball placement specially dropshot

[@TMBRMECH]

I usually rely on both spin and speed unless I play defense. My usual disruption is switching the spin to backspin in the middle of a rally

[@tshitezrai275]

Which paddle do you use??

[@chimyshark]

I like to win by CHO-ing as hard as I can, wins points Harimoto style, makes me more confident in my risky shots.

[@mufcmufc111]

Thanks im 61 ,but stil v keen tho I very my serves I think that's still my weakest point , my best is probably disruptive, thank you

[@z0uLess]

I am good at agressively taking the ball early. I am bad at stepping back from the table and using more time to get longer strokes and playing with less risk ;D. My backhand drive is better than my forehand, but when it gets further into a rally, I am not so good at using backhand when I need to move around a lot to hit the ball. Also my backhand rubber is a bit too soft, so high speed balls tend to reduce the spin I am able to give back because of the bottom out effect, and so my backhand looses a lot of consistency. I have good variety in my serves, but I am not good at reading other peoples serves. Seeing as I like to stand close to the table, I am also not good at counter topspinning, and will generally block the quick balls. My forehand level has increased a lot in the last two or so months, after switching my forehand rubber to a rubber that I have fallen in love with, the Yasaka Rakza Z. It generally has a larger range of situations where it is usefull than the rubbers that I started to play table tennis with. I can hit outright winners with my forehand topspin now, which is something I couldnt do before. Id say that footwork and being able to catch what is coming from the movement of the opponent and the bat angle should have been mentioned in this video.

[@Honeydew0567]

if your looking for a new backhand rubber in the future I would suggest the stiga dna pro series, it's a really good backhand rubber from my experience

[@Honeydew0567]

I've been watching a few of your videos, a better rubber would help you improve straight away but you will still be playing with bad habits and not be getting the most out of the rubber. Using a control or beginner friendly bat and rubbers will allow you to learn good techniques while making it easy for you to learn and not have to adjust to a much higher skilled rubber which may take you longer to learn and control. Best way to think of a bat and rubbers is that they are only a tool at your disposal and your the one with all the skills on how to use them effectively

[@z0uLess]

@@Honeydew0567 Yep. I guess I just dont like playing with thick soft rubbers that has a lot of catapult effect, which Yasaka Rigan has. It is great for flat hits though. Great for smashing.

[@Honeydew0567]

@@z0uLess if you the rubbers are 2mm they would fine as that’s very much a standard for most players. From what I can see is that they are good but for you at the moment I would suggest a slowly rubber, it would give you more ball on bat time which is far easier to control especially when your learning, once your consistently making the correct shots then I would suggest yo go back to the Yasak Rigan but as a forehand rubber. Ultimately using a slow and controllable rubber is good for your long term development right now and in time you will find your needing something faster or better then you can start to go for the those middle to higher end rubbers

[@z0uLess]

@@Honeydew0567 yes but I dont know about any slow rubbers, other than chinese tacky ones, and those are difficult to play with on backhand.

[@thesciencehinduby]

I try all 5 options but terribly fail in disruption and placement. Mostly I try speed and spin, but again inconsistence 😢. I wish to get really comfortable against long and short pimple players.

[@Joygulplay]

It might be a dumb question but I actually always wondered what's the difference between power and speed. To give the ball speed you have to hit it with power, so speed comes from power. Then aren't they like the same thing? I mean the one comes from the other.

[@craigyb22]

Speed is more associated with early timing, taking time away from your opponent. Power is easier to develop when the ball stands up and your able to put your body and legs into the shot. For sure you will create speed when playing with power, so they are linked but in a table tennis context the above is how they’re usually described.

[@GottZac]

My biggest problem is consistency, a video with a few tips would be amazing 🎉

[@TP-mp5lk]

What kind of consistency do you mean? Not being able to do more than 5 top spins in a row in training (when your training partner only blocks to your fh)? Or sometimes winning and other times losing big time against the same opponent? In the first case it is probably your technique. In the latter case it could be your nerves.

[@GottZac]

@@TP-mp5lk, it’s mainly missing the ball completely when I try heavy topspin in a match. I’ve never really thought about it being nerves so it could be the reason.

[@TP-mp5lk]

@@GottZac There was a huge gap between my performance during training and during "real" matches (tournament and club). This led me to believe it was the nerves in my case. The gap has closed quite a bit because I was able to do a lot of "real" matches (about 35) since the end of summer. Learning to calm down by controlling my breath has also helped.

[@Honeydew0567]

@@GottZac maybe you could try a few drills where you only watch the ball and play a shot but don't worry if you hit it or miss, just focus on the ball only

[@chimyshark]

consistency is the easiest thing to practice besides serves. all you need is repetition.

[@PhotonicJerk]

What's the difference between speed and power?

[@prateeppantara2839]

Placement and spin are the best way to win a point

[@pandurangayapamakula8115]

I use a lot of speed power placement I need to use spin

[@ritanandeshwar656]

Power is best

[@michaelmorley331]

James Hamilton he hee might have an idea..

[@whomustnotbenamed392]

I think disruption is the best and shocking for the opponent.... isnt it?

[@yunghanhuang8188]

🤔

[@PaulBentinck]

Play efficiently cutting out mistakes. Make your opponent earn their points!

[@nicok.3711]

.. next time you have to Tage care that they use different colourred Shirts. So it is easier to to see who is who... 😉

[@avinashnalwar6094]

Back hand is good forehand is bad

[@haalamn877]

i wish you were my dad

[@_.Madness._]

I always give some cash to the umpire. Works every time.