Basic Principles of Table Tennis Strokes

1. Timing-When To Touch The Ball

There are three possible timing possibilities
As the ball is rising
At the top of the bounce
As the ball is descending

2. Application of Force and Friction-How to Touch the Ball

Force contact occurs when a forward moving racket strikes the ball. An example of this occurs when you bounce the ball straight into the air on the racket.
You can often hear a "wood" type of sound (hard sound).
Most of the energy goes into producing forward motion.

Friction contact occurs when you brush the ball with the racket.
Most of the energy goes into producing spin (ball rotation).
Sound is muffled (soft sound).

Most strokes are a blend of Force and Friction.
Slow Loops, serves, and pushes are maximum friction and minimum force.
Fast Loops are medium Force and medium Friction.
Counters and Kill shots are maximum Force and minimum Friction.

3 . Ball Contact-Where to Touch the Ball

Most important of the 3 principles.
Always contact the Front of the ball.
Front of the ball is an area, not a specific point.
Front of the ball is a constantly changing area, determined by the trajectory of the ball.
It is the part of the ball facing the direction of travel.