A Beginner’s Guide to Table Tennis
If you want to be proficient
In this game of skill,
Study these notes closely
And then perhaps you will
Let’s have a look at basics-
Adopt the right technique,
Take things nice and steady.
If it’s consistency you seek.
Stand in the right position,
Keep your posture nice and low,
Left foot slightly forward,
Now you’re ready to go.
Your feet must keep on moving
And skip from side to side,
Lean forward from the waist,
Your stance should be quite wide.
Focus and be ready
When you come to serve.
Have faith in your responses,
Don’t rush or lose your nerve
Stody simple tactics
When you play a game.
Ensure you ring the changes,
Don’t always play the same.
Try spin and vary placement,
Move your feet about,
Always keep foes guessing.
So that they begin to doubt.
Step in when you’re attacking,
Make sure you follow through,
Don’t put it in the net
For that will never do.
A fundamental error
Is that people watch the hall,
But it’s the bat that needs observing
And not the ball at all..
Consider your bat angle-
It plays a major role.
Be prepared to change it
To achieve your goal.
Brush the ball to lift it
And so impart some spin
To make it skim the net and
Swerve sideways for a win.
Be prepared to practise
And stay up half the night.
Hours of repetition
Until you get it right.
There’s so much to remember
It’s better not to think,
It’s why so many players
Have hip flasks full of drink
You must be optimistic
Or you will get depressed.
Maybe have some coaching
From someone who knows best.
Because this sport will grab you
And make you quite insane,
You’ll fret about your averages
If you don’t win the game.
See what this mad obsession
Has slowly done to me?
I’m now completely bonkers
I never will be free.
Condemned to wander sports halls
Forever and a day.
I’m looking for Nirvana
And the perfect game to play.