Hammer grip: “V” between thumb and index finger on the edge of the handle. A versatile grip for serving, volleying, and dinking.

The ball is dropped, allowed to bounce, and then hit; there are no restrictions on backswing or contact height.

Groundstroke from the dominant side, palm facing the net.

The first shot after the serve must be off a bounce (two-bounce rule). Usually deep, with movement toward the kitchen line.

The only permitted serve technique: paddle moves upward in an arc, contact below the waist, paddle head below the wrist.

Hit the ball before it bounces — outside the kitchen.

The ball is tossed or dropped and hit before it touches the court.

Groundstroke from the non-dominant side, back of the hand facing the net.

Soft groundstroke from the kitchen line, barely clearing the net and dropping into the opponent's kitchen.

Handshake grip: “V” on the second bevel of the handle. Good for forehand groundstrokes.

Forehand volley, short block shot without a backswing.

High arcing shot over the opponents' heads to the back of the court.

Backhand volley — at the kitchen line, this is the one that takes most balls.

Crosscourt dink — the longest and safest path over the net.

Defensive lob — to buy time and get back into position.

Powerful flat groundstroke deep into the opponent's court.

Overhead smash with power downward — usually ends the rally.

Two-handed backhand: more stable and powerful than one-handed.

“V” on the fourth bevel, like flipping a pancake. Produces heavy topspin, awkward for volleys.

Shot hit while moving forward from the backcourt to the kitchen line.

Return deep to the baseline: gives yourself time to reach the kitchen and makes the opponent's third shot harder.

Serve deep to the opponent's baseline to push them off the kitchen and make it harder to approach the net.

Soft shot before the bounce at the net, dropping into the opponent's kitchen.

Dink straight down the sideline — punishes an opponent who has shifted to cover the crosscourt.