Avoid net errors in table tennis

3 tips to lose fewer points due to net errors

You make too many net mistakes in table tennis? Here we give you a few tips on what you can do about it.

If the ball hits the net too often, it’s usually because the trajectory is too flat. Or too little training, of course 😉
Our tips are purely about the material and show you what you can do to reduce mesh errors.

Tip 1: Choose a table tennis bat with a higher flight curve

Every table tennis player has his own style. One prefers rackets with a high trajectory. Other players prefer woods with a flatter trajectory. If the trajectory is very flat and you haven’t really got the hang of it yet, a correspondingly large number of balls will end up in the net.

The more spin a table tennis blade has, the higher the trajectory of the ball. This alone minimizes the probability of net errors during play. With an appropriate blade, the balls can be played over the net in a nice arc and with a lot of rotation.

The flight curves of our table tennis bats are listed below.

Advantages of table tennis bats with a higher flight curve

Woods with a high trajectory have more spin. The higher rotation of the ball results in a nice, high trajectory. These blades are perfect for half-distance or for playing far behind the table.
It allows the balls to be played in a nice arc across the table.
Dangerous topspins with a lot of rotation quickly drive the opponent into the defensive. It’s easier to get him out of rhythm with alternating spin variations.

The disadvantage of a higher trajectory is that the opponent can counter more easily.

Blades with high trajectory:

Advantages of rackets with a flat flight curve

Blades with a flat trajectory are perfect for aggressive blocking and shooting close to the table. Since the ball comes over the net quite flat, it is much easier to play short balls. This makes it particularly difficult for the opponent to counter over the table.
Also, hard, flat blocks are particularly difficult for your opponent to attract. They quickly fall under the edge of the table and push the opponent into the half-distance.

The disadvantage is, as already mentioned, that the ball lands faster in the net . Net errors in table tennis are therefore pre-programmed.

The more skilled you are, the more control you have over the ball, even with woods that have a flat trajectory, and you can use that as an advantage to annoy your opponent.

Blades with flat trajectory:

Blades with medium trajectory:

Conclusion: Each play style has its advantages and disadvantages. If you haven’t been playing that long or aren’t confident enough yet, you’ll have a much easier time with a more spin-rich table tennis bat. Many net errors in table tennis can be avoided by the higher trajectory alone.

Tip 2: Balance out the flat trajectory with the right rubber

Just like every wood, every table tennis surface has its own individual characteristics in terms of trajectory. If your racket has too flat a trajectory, you can compensate for it a little by choosing the right rubber. The advantage is that you can keep your blade and only have to change to other rubbers.

The overall combination of wood and rubber gives it playing characteristics and determines the trajectory of the ball.

If you play a blade with little spin and a rather flat trajectory, a rubber with a higher trajectory can help you avoid net errors.

The following rubbers have a high trajectory:

PROJECT 12
FASTARC G-1
FLYATT SPIN
HURRICANE 2
HURRICANE 3
WINNER PK50

Below we have listed an overview of table tennis surfaces with a flat and a medium trajectory.

Net errors in table tennis – the right combination of wood and rubber will make your life easier

Now it is important to find the right combination of wood and decking. Admittedly, this is not easy, since there are so many different TT surfaces and woods.

Conclusion: Roughly speaking, if you play a slightly softer wood, the rubber can be a bit harder . Of course, the reverse is just as true.
Because the whole combination of wood and rubber gives the playing characteristics and the trajectory of the ball.
If you have too flat a trajectory and the ball lands in the net more often, you can compensate for this with a rubber that generates a higher trajectory. This significantly reduces the number of net errors in table tennis.

In the end, each player has to figure out what works best for them through testing and trial and error. We’ll be happy to help you out if you need a little advice here.

Coverings sorted by height of the trajectory

Rubbers with high trajectory

Coverings with medium trajectory

Coverings with flat trajectory

Tip 3: Keep the surface and balls clean.

With a little effort you can significantly reduce net errors in table tennis.

Even if it sounds banal, but with clean table tennis balls and rubbers it plays better 😉

You probably know it just from new balls. The (sometimes annoying) white powder that sticks to the rubber while playing. Once the coating is full of this powder, it no longer grips as well as it should. You lose a lot of spin and the ball flight curve becomes much flatter. Mains faults are pre-programmed.

Therefore, it is important to clean the balls and the surface before the game. This is especially true for new balls. If you clean the balls before each game, the trajectory of the ball always remains the same. This has the advantage that you don’t have to constantly change during the game.

We also recommend cleaning older balls regularly, where the white powder has already worn off. This is because dust and dirt from the hall floor also attach themselves to the ball through static charge and have a similar, negative effect as the white powder.

Conclusion: Clean balls and rubbers ensure a higher trajectory and fewer net errors 😉

How to clean balls and rubber, we have explained in this video here:

We hope we could help you a little bit with these tips to reduce annoying network errors. If you are unsure or have any questions, we will be happy to help. Just send us an email to info@soulspin.tt