10 Best Table Tennis Books of All Time

Shift your stance and plunge into tales where table tennis comes alive, pulsating with energy and expertise.

From the art of spin to the psychology of champions, our handpicked collection delivers the insider views and motivational force for ping-pong aficionados.

Ready to up your game with insights from table tennis masters?

Best Table Tennis Books:

1. Table Tennis Tactics for Thinkers
2. Table Tennis: Steps to Success
3. Table Tennis Tips
4. Expert In A Year: The Ultimate Table Tennis Challenge
5. Get Your Game Face On Like The Pros!: Mental Skills And Lifestyle Choices To Achieve Peak Performance and Play Your Best Table Tennis
6. Bounce: Mozart, Federer, Picasso, Beckham, and the Science of Success
7. 100 Days of Table Tennis: Get Your Daily Dose of Table Tennis Advice
8. The Metaphysics of Ping-Pong
9. Winning Table Tennis: Skills, Drills, and Strategies
10. Ping Pong for Fighters

#1 Table Tennis Tactics for Thinkers

• ✍️ Author: Larry Hodges
• 📆 Year Published: 2013
• 📘 Genre: Strategy and Coaching

Unlock the strategic complexities of table tennis with “Table Tennis Tactics for Thinkers.” Authored by Larry Hodges, a seasoned coach and player, this book delves into the crucial tactics that can elevate a player’s game from good to great.

Hodges shares valuable insights into the nuances of game strategy, mental preparedness, and decision-making that give competitive players an edge. With a focus on practical application, this book is an indispensable guide for serious table tennis enthusiasts seeking to understand and implement advanced tactical play.

#2 Table Tennis: Steps to Success

• ✍️ Author: Richard McAfee
• 📆 Year Published: 2009
• 📘 Genre: Strategy and Coaching

Step by step, “Table Tennis: Steps to Success” lays the foundation for becoming a proficient table tennis player. Richard McAfee, an internationally renowned coach, outlines a progressive training program that covers everything from basic strokes to sophisticated strategies.

Whether you’re a beginner aiming to learn the essentials or an intermediate player trying to hone your skills, this book provides structured guidance, drills, and expert tips to help you improve your game consistently.

#3 Table Tennis Tips

• ✍️ Author: Larry Hodges
• 📆 Year Published: 2014
• 📘 Genre: Strategy and Coaching

“Table Tennis Tips” is a goldmine of 150 practical pointers to enhance your play. Larry Hodges returns to provide quick, digestible tips that cover various aspects of the game, from technique and footwork to mental strategies.

This accessible collection, drawn from Hodges’ vast coaching experience, is perfect for players looking to quickly elevate their game and understand the small adjustments that can lead to significant improvements on the table.

#4 Expert In A Year: The Ultimate Table Tennis Challenge

• ✍️ Author: Sam Priestley & Ben Larcombe
• 📆 Year Published: 2015
• 📘 Genre: Biographies and Autobiographies, Strategy and Coaching

“Expert In A Year: The Ultimate Table Tennis Challenge” is an incredible true story of an ordinary man’s quest to achieve table tennis mastery in just one year.

Sam Priestley, guided by coach Ben Larcombe, takes on this extraordinary challenge and documents his intense journey of growth, learning, and the limits of rapid improvement. The book is both an inspirational narrative and a practical guide, offering insights into the commitment required to excel at such a demanding sport.

#5 Get Your Game Face On Like The Pros!: Mental Skills And Lifestyle Choices To Achieve Peak Performance And Play Your Best Table Tennis

• ✍️ Author; Dora Kurimay
• 📆 Year Published: 2017
• 📘 Genre: Strategy and Coaching

Achieve your table tennis potential by mastering the mental side of the game with “Get Your Game Face On Like The Pros!” Dora Kurimay shares her expertise as both a psychologist and an elite player, offering a unique approach to mental training specifically tailored for table tennis.

This book highlights the importance of mental skills, emotional control, and lifestyle choices to reach peak performance levels. Readers can transform their approach to competition and training, learning to maintain focus and confidence under pressure.

#6 Bounce: Mozart, Federer, Picasso, Beckham, and the Science of Success

• ✍️ Author: Matthew Syed
• 📆 Year Published: 2010
• 📘 Genre: Biographies and Autobiographies, History

“Bounce: Mozart, Federer, Picasso, Beckham, and the Science of Success” isn’t a table tennis book per se, but as an Olympian and table tennis champion, author Matthew Syed gives us profound insights into the science behind achieving success.

The book explores how legends across various fields reached the pinnacle of their professions, debunking the myth of ‘natural talent.’ Readers will discover how dedication, practice, and a growth mindset can lead to excellence, with compelling anecdotes and evidence from sports, art, and music.

#7 100 Days of Table Tennis: Get Your Daily Dose of Table Tennis Advice

• ✍️ Author: Samson Dubina
• 📆 Year Published: 2015
• 📘 Genre: Strategy and Coaching

With “100 Days of Table Tennis,” you’ll get expert coaching tips every day to improve your game. This book by Samson Dubina offers a daily guide that emphasizes consistent practice, thoughtful strategy, and understanding the mental aspect of table tennis.

Spanning a range of topics, from stroke mechanics to tournament preparation, these bite-sized lessons are perfect for players on the go and those looking to integrate professional advice into every practice session.

#8 The Metaphysics of Ping-Pong

• ✍️ Author: Guido Mina di Sospiro
• 📆 Year Published: 2015
• 📘 Genre: Fiction and Literature

Venture beyond the game with “The Metaphysics of Ping-Pong,” a thought-provoking blend of philosophy, spirituality, and table tennis. Author Guido Mina di Sospiro takes readers on a journey that reflects on the deeper connections between the physical and metaphysical aspects of the sport.

More than just a game, this book treats table tennis as a path to greater self-understanding and enlightenment, weaving together stories with philosophical musings to delight and challenge the contemplative player.

#9 Winning Table Tennis: Skills, Drills, and Strategies

• ✍️ Author: Dan Seemiller & Mark Holowchak
• 📆 Year Published: 1997
• 📘 Genre: Strategy and Coaching

“Winning Table Tennis: Skills, Drills, and Strategies” is a comprehensive guide for players of all levels. Iconic American table tennis champion Dan Seemiller teams up with philosopher and coach Mark Holowchak to cover essentials such as grip, stance, and footwork, while also delving into the strategic aspects of the game.

Packed with effective drills and expert strategies, this book equips players with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel at table tennis, both in practice and in competition.

#10 Ping Pong for Fighters

• ✍️ Author: Tahl Leibovitz
• 📆 Year Published: 2014
• 📘 Genre: Strategy and Coaching

Tahl Leibovitz’s “Ping Pong for Fighters” is much more than just a training manual—it’s an inspiring tale of perseverance. The author, a Paralympic gold medalist, uses his personal story and experience to provide insights into the fighting spirit required to succeed in table tennis.

With tips on technique, mental toughness, and overcoming adversity, this book aims not just to inform, but also to motivate players to combat their limitations and achieve their highest potential in the sport.

After reading up, watch the game in action with the best table tennis movies, shows, and documentaries.

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