By Thierry Verviers
I get asked this question all the time: “Can I really improve at table tennis if I have nobody to train with?” And my answer is always the same: yes, absolutely — as long as you go about it the right way. Because there’s a big difference between randomly hitting balls around in your basement and running a real structured solo practice session. The article I’m sharing with you today covers 7 concrete methods for training alone: the playback position setup (folded table), wall practice, serve drills, spin development, shadow play (practising strokes without a ball in front of a mirror), robot training, and rebounder training. Each of these methods targets specific aspects of your game — and some of them cost absolutely nothing.
What struck me when reading this article is the emphasis placed on serves. And I couldn’t agree more on that point. The serve is the one moment in a match where you have 100% total control over the ball. Nobody is rushing you, nobody is stopping you from taking your time. It’s the perfect place to work on your game solo. And yet, it’s often the part of training that players neglect the most — especially beginners and intermediate players. Doing 60 to 80 serves per session, varying your spin and placement, can make a huge difference in your competitive game. That’s time well spent. 😉
And for those of you who have access to a training robot or a rebounder, these tools can truly transform your solo practice. The robot lets you repeat precise sequences over and over, which is essential for building muscle memory. The rebounder, on the other hand, improves your reflexes and reaction speed in a way that closely mimics real match conditions. These are not gimmicks — they are serious tools that top players use on a regular basis. If you’re lucky enough to have access to them, make the most of it. And if you happen to be looking for that kind of equipment… you know where to find us! 😉
To learn more:
How to Practice Table Tennis Alone: 7 Effective Drills and Setups — Aosom Blog