Ready Position in Table Tennis: The First Skill Every Player Needs

Every strong shot in table tennis starts before you touch the ball. It starts with how you stand. In this guide, Captain Yasser Yehia — professional table tennis coach in Riyadh, with more than 21 years as a player and 13 years as a coach — explains the ready position in table tennis step by step, the same way he teaches it in his academies.

What Is the Ready Position?

The ready position (also called the basic stance) is the starting position of your body. From this position, you are ready to move, hit, and reach any ball in the shortest time possible.

Captain Yasser Yehia calls it “the home of the player.” You start every point from it, and you return to it after every shot.

Body Shape: 8 Key Points

Before any movement, your body should look like this:

1. Feet — a little wider than your shoulders.
2. Knees — bent, light to medium.
3. Upper body — leans forward a little, from the hips, not only from the back.
4. Weight — on the front part of your feet, never on the heels.
5. Arms — relaxed, in front of your body.
6. Racket — in front of you, near the middle line between forehand and backhand.
7. Elbow — a little away from your body, so you can switch fast between forehand and backhand.
8. Eyes — on the ball and your opponent, ready to move in any direction.

How to Do the Ready Position: 7 Easy Steps

1. Stand in front of the table at a good distance — you must be able to move forward and back.
2. Open your feet to a comfortable, balanced width.
3. Bend your knees and bring your body weight down.
4. Lean your chest forward a little.
5. Lift the racket in front of your body in a neutral position.
6. Keep your weight on both feet with a light, flexible feeling — do not stand stiff.
7. Be ready to make a split step (a small, quick hop) the moment the ball leaves your opponent’s racket.

Why Is the Ready Position So Important?

• Speed: Your first step becomes faster, so you reach more balls.
• Balance: Every stroke — forehand or backhand — starts from a stable base.
• Control: A neutral racket position lets you answer any ball, on any side.
• Energy: Bent knees and forward weight turn your legs into a spring.

This is why Captain Yasser Yehia teaches the ready position in the very first lesson, before any stroke.

4 Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Weight on the heels. Your first step becomes slow. Keep the weight on the front of your feet.
2. Straight knees. You cannot push or move fast. Bend them.
3. Racket too low or on one side. You will be late on the other side. Keep it in the middle, in front of you.
4. Standing stiff. Stay light and a little “bouncy,” always ready to move.

Train with Captain Yasser Yehia in Riyadh

Do you want to build your game on a strong base? Captain Yasser Yehia offers private and group training programs for all levels in Riyadh. With 13 years of coaching experience and 13 local and international certificates, he will take your game to the next level.

👉 Enroll Now (button → link to your Enroll page)

FAQ

Where should I hold the racket in the ready position?
In front of your body, near the middle line between forehand and backhand, in a neutral position.

Should my knees be straight or bent?
Bent — light to medium. Bent knees make your first step fast.

How far should I stand from the table?
At a distance that lets you move forward and back with comfort. Not too close, not too far.