What Is Loop In Table Tennis? – Amazing Tips In 2023
Modern table tennis uses the Table Tennis Loop as its most offensive stroke. Brushing the ball upward and forward produces a heavy topspin shot.
Topspin makes the ball move differently when applied to a loop in table tennis. While flying through the air, it bounces off the table and stays close to it.
As a result, your opponent returns your play in a way that gives you an advantage. Table Tennis loops are also known as Table Tennis forehand loops or Table Tennis backhand loops.
Now we will review both kinds of loops. We hope you will be able to determine which of them best suits you at the end of this guide.
If you want to become a more rounded player, you might learn both variations.

Follow These Amazing Tips To Play A Prefect Loop In Table Tennis
Backhand Loop

Backhand Loops are the backhand counterparts of Forehand Loops. Particularly among professional players, this stroke is quickly gaining traction.
Essentially a topspin stroke, the Backhand Loop is essential in ping pong. The Backhand Drive is derived from it; it makes sense to learn it before the Backhand Loop.
The Backhand Loop is a technique that, although many table tennis players are incapable of developing a backhand loop,
can be used to counter your opponent’s backspin on the backhand side.
How To Play
Its level of difficulty makes the backhand loop unpopular with table tennis players. It takes some time and effort to master the Backhand Loop technique, an advanced topspin technique.
However, there’s a catch. If you do not master the Backhand Loop, you will be at a tactical disadvantage. Once you master the key aspects of the Backhand Loop, such as stance and positioning, you’re halfway there.
The backhand loop stroke can be added to your repertoire of skills if you know the right teaching point and practice.
You could take the following steps to train your Backhand Loop in table tennis.
- Your feet should be about 1.5 shoulder widths apart, and your knees should be slightly bent. Ensure that your feet face the direction you want to hit the ball.
- Keep your upper body relaxed as you lean on the front parts of your feet.
- To move around the table quickly, your leg muscles should be as springy as possible.
- Your center of gravity should be low and your upper body in a crouched position. Relax your shoulders but keep them droopy. Having the right stance will allow you to play the stroke with enough strength in your legs and body.
- If you are right-handed, keep your left hip behind the ball, and vice versa. As you strike the ball, you must shift your weight correctly. You must always keep your legs and core aligned to generate maximum power for the stroke.
- Keep your distance from the table so that you can easily hit the ball without reaching too far or letting the ball fall. Measure your distance carefully.
- You can create the force propelling the stroke by pivoting your elbow. It would help if you kept your paddle below your elbow when starting the Backhand Loop stroke. Using your elbow as a fulcrum, you raise the paddle and follow with a snapping motion with your wrist.
- Your racket should be held at a 45-degree angle when you hit the ball. By doing so, you will lift the ball over the net.
When Should You Play?
Mastering the Backhand Loop gives you more control over the game and gives you more options in deciding how to attack.
Therefore, you could use the Backhand Loop to attack the ball because your opponent will have a hard time reacting to it.
At the beginning of a rally, if your opponent pushes or serves then pushes back, you will have a great chance of playing the backhand loop.
Pro Tips
- The best time to hit the ball is when it rises or just after it bounces.
- It is best to hit it as soon as it rises above the center.
- Right-handed paddlers should hold their paddles low and towards the left hip, and left-handed paddlers should hold their paddles toward the right hip.
- When you hit the ball, make sure your paddle produces about the same amount of force and spin.
- Make sure your feet are always balanced.
Forehand Loop

The Forehand Loop is one of the most popular table tennis attacking strokes.
A Forehand Drive is similar to a Forehand Loop.
Beginners are advised to start with the Forehand Drive.
Professional table tennis players master this stroke to score the most points.
How do the Forehand Loop and Forehand Drive differ from each other?
The difference is their intensity. There is more spin, power, and speed in the Forehand Loop. The Forehand Loop would benefit from being hit and spun more directly and forcefully.
Contact is the focus with the Forehand Drive. The way a well-executed Forehand Loop arcs and accelerates makes it difficult to counteract.
How To Play?
You should learn the Beginner’s Guide first if you are still a beginner.
Training the Forehand Loop will help you master this stroke quickly. We have described some steps for mastering Forehand Loops.
- Master your footwork for Forehand Loops. Keeping your right foot farther back than your left, bend your knees slightly and lean forward.
- Maintain a relaxed but slightly bent upper body and shoulders. Your center of gravity should be low and your upper body slightly hunched.
- Reach both hands forward.
- Adjust your position so that your right foot is parallel with your left hand.
- To make contact with the ball, make sure that your right foot is aligned with it.
- Put a little more weight on your right foot and lower your body, arm, and paddle before hitting the ball.
- Close the paddle.
- You should rotate your waist when you hit the ball while flexing your elbow. It would be best to brush the ball aggressively with speed and spin.
- Hitting the back of the ball will get you the forehand high loop. If you want the ball to move forward, you must hit it on the top.
- When you end your stroke, your paddle should be directly in front of your face and your hips should be square to the table.
- It would be best if you did not get thrown around when you finish the stroke, nor should the paddle swing across your body when you finish the stroke. Your arm and paddle should recover and move backward in line with your stomach at the end of a good Forehand Loop.
When Should You Play
When your opponent plays the ball towards you with topspin, the Forehand Loop is a great shot to use.
You can quickly counter a Forehand Loop with a shot with at least medium topspin if it’s well-executed.
Pro Tips
- Before playing the Forehand Loop, consider the following tips.
- At the start of the Forehand Loop, bend your knees.
- During the swing, keep your elbows relaxed and extended.
- Make sure you brush the ball when you hit it.
- Make sure your stroke matches the ball’s direction and movement.
- Pay attention to your footwork during the stroke.
Conclusion
One of the best strokes in table tennis is the Table Tennis Loop since it can be played both forehand and backhand. The Forehand Loop lets you counter top spins from your opponent.
In contrast, if your opponent plays a backspin, you might consider a Backhand Loop.
Video Guide

Hey, My Name is Timothy Wang. I’m the U.S. National Table Tennis champion of 2010, 2012, and 2013 and playing the game since the age of 12. The purpose of this blog is to share my experience, tips, and tricks with others so they can master and enjoy this game like I’m doing for years.