How to Forehand Loop in Table Tennis

Last Updated on April 25, 2024 by Alex Horscroft

What Is a Forehand Loop in Table Tennis?

The forehand loop is the most popular shot in table tennis. It is a fast and spinny attacking shot with a lot of versatility. You can play a forehand loop close to the table or very far from the table to great effect. This differs from other shots which are weak at a certain distance. 

Why Should I Use Ping Pong Forehand Loops?

Forehand loops are the strongest shot in the game so you should definitely consider using them. They are not only among the fastest, but they also produce the most topspin. 

This means you can put your opponent under pressure on two fronts: you can overwhelm them with pace or spin. The versatility of the stroke also helps to cover up holes in your game. With good enough reactions and footwork, there are few occasions when you can’t play a forehand loop.  

When Should I Forehand Loop?

Should

You can use a forehand loop shot in table tennis against any type of spin, be it no spin, backspin, topspin, or sidespin. You can also loop at any distance from the table. This makes it the most versatile shot in the game, and useful in almost any situation.

If you want to attack a low and long backspin ball, a loop is the only shot you should consider playing. Even if the ball is a little high, you still may want to loop it over smashing for the added safety it offers. 

As for topspin play, a loop is usually the optimal shot in most situations. Whether you’re playing a flat-hitter, driver, or looper, looping is a sound shot to use against all players. 

Shouldn’t

While looping is extremely versatile, like all shots, there are certainly times when I would recommend not looping. 

First things first, you can’t loop short balls. This is because the ball needs to drift long for a loop. If you want to attack a short ball you’ll need to flick instead. 

Onto situations when looping is on the table, avoid doing so when you’re unprepared to play a loop. Unlike a block which has a short stroke length and doesn’t require immaculate footwork, looping is the polar opposite. As a result, you will often find a ball whizzing your way that you have no time to prepare for. You may find you don’t have enough time to move your arms, legs, or both. Whatever the case may be, opt for a simpler shot such as a block, punch, or drive.

Most commonly, you will find you don’t have enough time to prepare when you are playing close to the table. However, this even occurs far away from the table. Many players drift far to give themselves more time to set up for their loops. However, this means they are sometimes too far away from the ball. If you find yourself in this situation, avoid looping. Instead, try a low and deep lob or even a chop.  

Another instance when looping is not optimal is if the ball is high. For these shots, you should use a smash instead. 

Finally, avoid looping if you don’t want to attack. Even if you sport a looping style, you may have matches where you win the backspin exchanges and lose the topspin ones. In which case, swallow your pride and push the ball baby!

How to Perform a Forehand Loop in Table Tennis

Step 1: Stance

• Stand one arm to two arm lengths away from the table. This is dependent on the state of play and your preference.
• Feet 1.5 shoulder-widths apart or more. I prefer wider as it is better for balance.
• Dominant foot further back than non-dominant foot. You will be loading up heavily on your back foot for power.
• Weight on the balls of both feet. Ensures you are balanced and have the correct form.
• Knees slightly bent. Improves your balance and stroke effectiveness.
• Leaning slightly forward. Prevents you from feeling off-balance.
• >90 bend at the elbow. Approximately speaking. You can go a little more or less. 
• Racket directly in front of you. As if you are ready to play a forehand or backhand loop.

Step 2: Build Up

• Twist to your forehand side at the hips by around 40-90°. This turn helps you build up potential energy.
• Drop your right shoulder. This ensures your arm is bent correctly.
• Transfer your weight onto your back leg. This ensures your hips are doing most of the work — not your arms.
• Create a gap between your elbow and body. The stroke will feel awkward if you don’t. 
• Ensure your wrist is fixed. You don’t need to engage your wrist — in fact, it will make the stroke more difficult with little payoff.
• Close your racket more than 45°. As you are producing heavy topspin you need to get more over the ball than if you were playing a forehand drive.

Step 3: Striking the Ball

• Untwist your hips while keeping your elbow and arm in unison. This ensures you are properly using the energy you have built up.
• Transfer your weight from your back leg to your front leg. This will further increase the force you can generate. 
• Allow your elbow to engage just before contact. This gives you an added bit of pace and spin.
• Make contact with the ball at the top of the bounce. This creates the best angle to attack the ball.
• Use an upward and forward motion to strike the ball. You have to use a higher stroke angle than a drive because your racket angle is more closed. 

Step 4: Finish and Recovery

• Continue after striking the ball. Your racket motion should cease in line with the center of your body.
• Finish your stroke with your hips square to the table. This prepares you to play a backhand or forehand for your next shot. 

Key Tips for a Quality Forehand Loop

• Wide stance
• Load up weight on your back leg
• Drop your right shoulder 
• Twist at the hips
• Ensure your wrist is fixed
• Create a gap between your elbow and body
• Engage your elbow just before contact
• Brush the ball 

Looping Topspin vs. Backspin

When I first started looping against backspin I struggled — now it’s one of my favorite things to do!

Forehand loops against backspin are simple. It just requires you to start lower and use a higher stroke angle than if you were hitting against topspin. 

To do this, bend more at the knees so that you load up lower on your back leg. Also, make sure to drop your right shoulder more (the opposite if you’re a lefty). This should cause your racket motion to begin at about your right knee. 

Then when you go to strike, hit the ball less directly at the back, and focus on a brushing motion rather than force. This will take the pace of your loop and impart heavy topspin which will counteract the backspin on the ball. Unlike against topspin, you don’t need to hit it at the top of the bounce.

Recommended Video to Help You Learn the Forehand Loop Stroke in Table Tennis

I’ve seen a lot of videos about forehand looping, but my favorite is by Brian Pace. He breaks down the mechanics of the forehand loop in a way that few others can. His video is well-narrated and annotated. I feel it’s the perfect video to build on the knowledge you gain from this article. 

Common Ping Pong Forehand Looping Mistakes

1. Using too much arm. This is by far one of the most common mistakes I see, even some high-level players do it — my brother is guilty of this! Allow your hips to do the work they are supposed to.
2. Not loading up on the back leg enough. Like with hip rotation, a lot of power from the loop comes from loading up your weight on your back leg. If you don’t load up properly, your loop will lose pace or other parts of your stroke motion will incorrectly overcompensate.
3. Racket arm is too straight. Using elbow rotation just before contact is a vital part of the loop. Take it away and you will likely lose spin and speed. You’ll also find it more difficult to reset after each shot.
4. Standing too square to the table. When you hit a forehand loop your right leg should be slightly behind your left. If it isn’t you will struggle to rotate your hips and load up your weight on your back leg. You will also have trouble hitting the ball down the line. 
5. Not brushing the ball. Try to get out of the driving/flat-hitting mindset. Looping is all about heavy topspin and this comes from brushing the ball which you achieve through angled contact. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Lessons

Now that you’ve learned how to forehand loop you are at the top of the game as far as shots go. I’d recommend learning to backhand loop so you are deadly on both flanks.  

You may also want to check out my comprehensive guide where I go over every serve in table tennis. This will help you find the right serve for you so that you can develop a killer third-ball attack with your forehand loop.