How to Block in Table Tennis

Choose the moment. A block shot can throw your opponent off his game. Use it too often, though, and your opponent will take advantage of it. Use the block shot when your opponent executes a strong shot with topspin. He will be expecting you to hit long, so if you can use a block shot to drop the ball just on the other side of the net, you can control of the point.

Prepare for the shot. Stand a short distance away from the table with your shoulders squared toward your opponent. Balance your weight so that you are slightly on the balls of your feet. This will allow you to move quicker and easier. Shift your weight in the direction that the ball is coming from.

Wait for the ball to bounce and reach at least the height of the net before you make contact. The ball should come to you more than you going to the ball. Don't reach for the ball, or you may hit it too hard, giving your opponent a good shot and leaving you vulnerable. Exercise patience.

Angle your paddle forward slightly. This will help the ball hit close to the net on the opponent's side of the table. Don't angle too much, or you can hit the net. Practice to get your paddle angle right.

Make contact with the ball with hardly any backswing and little force going forward. Remove any spin on the ball and primarily use the speed of the ball to return it. Keep your paddle still as you strike the ball. Practice placing the paddle in the way of the ball without applying any force to gauge the minimum force you need to get the ball just barely over the net.

Get ready for your opponent's return shot. Ideally, your opponent will have to scramble to return the shot. That return shot probably won't have much spin, so you can control how the point plays out.