Switching Hands

Table Tennis General

Last updated 14 years ago

Alex Stanford Unknown

Alex Stanford Unknown Asked 15 years ago

I play with the shakehand position but i prefere to use my backhand the entire time. i am actually left handed but when i started playing table tennis i started playing with my right hand and after a couple weeks i decided to start using my left hand. and now i have found out that i have much more speed and better slams with my right hand but have more precise and spinny hits with my left hand. I would like to know if its against any rules to switch which hand I am using while playing a game.


Jeff Plumb

Jeff Plumb Answered 15 years ago

Hi Alex,

There is no rule preventing you from switching hands during a point. However it is very unusual for a player to do so at a high level. There is normally not enough time to switch between hands. I have occasionally seen a player switch hands when they are a long way back from the court and the ball has gone wide to their backhands but it is usually only in desperation.

I feel it would be much better for you to develop your game with a single hand. With practice you can always improve your strokes but by swithcing hands you will always be struggling for time against quality opponents.


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Tevia Sapire

Tevia Sapire Posted 14 years ago

Sometimes timo boll switches hands during points to have two forehands, look for it on youtube if you want to see it. It looks pretty cool when he does use both hands!


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