Table tennis footwork

Table tennis / Popular

Move with side-to-side and in-and-out steps instead of reaching.

What coaches agree on

  • Cover side-to-side movement with a shuffle step, pushing off and landing with both feet together rather than shifting weight onto just one leg.
  • Set up low with your knees bent and your weight forward on the balls of your feet so you can push off quickly in any direction.
Show more
  • Push back to a balanced, ready position immediately after every shot so you're set up for the next ball.
  • For a short ball, step in with one foot to reach the table, then push off that same foot to recover to your ready position.

Common mistakes

  • Many players reach for the ball by stretching their arm or leaning their upper body instead of moving their feet into position, which throws off their balance and weakens the shot.