Ambidextrousity

Steve Unknown Asked 16 years ago

Let's say I was ambidextrous and just starting out playing table tennis. Would you recommend using just my right or my left hand, or trying to learn how to hit good shots with both hands?

Jeff Plumb Answered 16 years ago

Hi Steve,

I would recommend sticking with one hand. During a rally at the higher level you will not have time to switch hands. Also if you try and learn with both hands, you will cut your training time with each hand in half.

My advice is to pick what you think is currently your best hand and use that for all your Table Tennis.

Good luck.

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Ji-Soo Woo Posted 16 years ago

being ambidextrous isn't really that huge an advantage in table tennis, unless the rule allows you to hold two racquets at once! :o)

I guess it could still be handy (pardon the pun) in that you would have an option as to which hand you wanted to use. But then again even if you are not ambidextrous you could learn to use your non-favoured hand if you really wanted to. Just look at Nadal in tennis. Amazing that he is a natural right hander who learnt to play left-handed.

Steve Unknown Posted 16 years ago

Ok, thanks guys!

farhoud Sixi Posted 16 years ago

stick to your left hand cause most people aren't used to playing against it

phil Unknown Posted 16 years ago

timo boll has used both hands in several matches in recent years

Tevia Sapire Posted 15 years ago

I don't think Timo trains to do this, but just hits a basic sroke with his right hand. He only uses it when he is forced to his far forehand side and he has to hit a running backhand, which is quite awkard for most players so he uses a running right handed forehand, which he probably finds easier. Also, Nadal is right handed, and plays left handed but this is because when he was a junior he used two hands to play forehand and back hand and his coach wanted him to play left handed, because he didnt play right handed. Nadal is amazing though.

Ebiye Udo-Udoma Posted 14 years ago

DONT LISTEN TO THESE GUYS. I am living proof you can play a fully ambidextrous style of table tennis. Watch a video of me in practice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EkqOCb0Tt4

Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 14 years ago
Hi Ebiye,
Different people have different goals and as long as you are happy with your level then that is good. However if you do want to take the next step and become a better Table Tennis player, you will need to focus your training on one hand. Otherwise you will need to double your training effort for very little benefit.

gian crispino Posted 14 years ago

i think you should practice both hands. fooling your opponent would be easy and you can have different tactics and strategies by using two hands

Leslie Yin Posted 14 years ago

Playing with both hands might help you playing at the very low levels but up against anyone else who is good and consistent with the basic technique, the ball will definitely be coming too fast for you to switch and still play a good shot. As a result you spent lots of time training for playing a forehand shot with your non preferred hand and rarely use it to good effect in a match, whereas you could've spent that time making your backhand into a formidable shot.

Judah Cagas Posted 13 years ago

hey udoma are u sure using both hands?if we are going to play im sure to put you down 4-0.yes you can use both hands but during a high level rally your going to be confused.

Steve Vaugier Posted 13 years ago

If you are going to switch hands, do it immediately after you return the ball as your opponent will be focusing on the ball and after he realizes that you have switched, it will be too late for him. Many times as i am playing rh and i pick up a pattern in my opponents' return, i will return a lh backhand slam. The most common comment after this is done is "where did that come from". try it.