Basic Table Tennis Strokes - The Forehand Push

The forehand push is probably the toughest of
all the basic table tennis strokes. Certainly in my
role as a coach this is the shot I've seen
beginners struggling with the most. It can feel
quite unnatural at first and is made even more
difficult if the feed is bad, as it often is if two
beginners are playing together.
The stance needs to go back to the forehand
ready position you used for your forehand
drive. If you're right-handed that means right
foot slightly back and then as always, knees
bent, body crouched, both arms out in front of
you.
The backswing for the forehand push is not as
extreme as for the drive. The push is a softer
shot and therefore requires more feel and less
weight transfer/power. However you will still
need a small amount of twisting backwards in
preparation. You 'll also need an open bat angle,
45 degrees is good, like in the backhand push.
Keep a small gap between your elbow and your
body.
The strike requires you to twist your body
forwards with a slight transfer of weight onto
your front foot. You may also need to step in
with your playing foot if the ball is short. Upon
contact with the ball you should be using the
brushing action I mentioned earlier and having
very soft hands. The elbow may open slightly
during the strike to combine with the turning of
your body. The bat angle should be open
throughout.
The finish should leave the bat in front of your
body, having followed the line of the ball. As
you're putting backspin on the ball the bat
should be down towards the table. The difficulty
here is to follow the ball rather than swiping
across your body. If your bat is finishing over to
your left hand side you may need to get your
elbow slightly further forward during the strike.
A tucked in elbow can lead you to swipe across
the ball.



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