7 Common Mistakes in Basic Table Tennis Strokes (and How to Fix Them)
Most beginners repeat the same small errors — and small errors create big problems: a slow first step, a weak forehand, a late backhand. In this lesson, Captain Yasser Yehia — professional table tennis coach in Riyadh — lists the 7 most common table tennis mistakes he sees on court, with a simple fix for each one.
Mistake 1: Weight on the Heels
Why it hurts: your first step becomes slow — you are always one moment late.
The fix: keep your weight on the front part of your feet. Feel light, like a spring. (Full guide: the perfect stance.)
Mistake 2: Straight Knees
Why it hurts: with straight knees you cannot push, move, or stay balanced.
The fix: bend the knees — light to medium — and bring your body weight down.
Mistake 3: Racket Too Low or on One Side
Why it hurts: if your racket waits on the forehand side, every backhand arrives too fast — and the other way around.
The fix: hold the racket in front of you, near the middle line, in a neutral position. (Full guide: the ready position.)
Mistake 4: A Backswing That Is Too Big (Forehand)
Why it hurts: a big backswing feels powerful, but it makes your contact late.
The fix: keep the pull back small, and keep the racket head up. (Full guide: the 3 phases of the forehand drive.)
Mistake 5: Elbow Glued to the Body
Why it hurts: you cannot switch fast between forehand and backhand — and the backhand loses its axis.
The fix: keep the elbow a little away from the body, in front of you. (Full guide: elbow and wrist secrets.)
Mistake 6: A Follow Through That Is Too Long (Backhand)
Why it hurts: a long finish looks nice — and makes you late for the next ball.
The fix: finish short, toward the ball, then reset. (Full guide: the backhand drive.)
Mistake 7: Not Returning to the Ready Position
Why it hurts: you admire your shot — and the next ball catches you standing still.
The fix: after every stroke, go back home immediately. (Full guide: back to ready.)
How to Use This List
Do not fix all seven at once. Pick one mistake, work on it for one week, then move to the next. Slow fixing is fast improving.
Train with Captain Yasser Yehia in Riyadh
A coach sees in one minute what a player cannot feel in one month. Captain Yasser Yehia finds and fixes these mistakes live in his private and group training programs in Riyadh.
