Effects of technical-tactical skills on enhancing scoring efficiency when competing with opponents using different handedness in table tennis matchups

Abstract

Technical-tactical skills are key to determining table tennis match performance. Identifying the skills that can increase scoring probability when competing against opponents with different racket handedness is vital. The aim of this study was to investigate the technical-tactical actions that could significantly improve scoring efficiency in SH (same-handedness) matches and OH (opposite-handedness) matches. The statistics of 72 top-level men's singles matches were collected (40 SH matches and 32 OH matches). An independent samples t-test was performed to evaluate the differences in the scoring efficiency of the point-winning shot. The results showed that the following maneuvers were crucial technical-tactical skills to increase scoring probability: (1) during the mutual-restriction phase, executing a forehand short push to forehand during service round and a backhand long push to backhand during receiving round against SH opponents (p < 0.05, ES: 0.59–0.70), and a backhand short push to middle in receiving round against OH opponents (p < 0.01, ES = 0.66); (2) during the initial-attack-and-counterattack phase, performing an initial forehand flip and a loop (drive) to forehand, a counter backhand loop (drive) to backhand during both types of rounds, and a forehand block (lob) to forehand during service round against SH opponents (p < 0.05, ES: 0.52–1.18), and an initial forehand loop (drive) to backhand and a counter backhand loop (drive) to forehand during both types of rounds, an initial forehand flip and a loop (drive) to backhand during service round, and an initial backhand flip to middle during receiving round against OH opponents (p < 0.05, ES: 0.45–0.99); and (3) during the topspin-exchange phase, hitting a forehand loop (drive) to forehand during service round and a backhand loop (drive) to backhand during both types of rounds against SH opponents (p < 0.05, ES: 0.51–1.32), a forehand loop (drive) to backhand during both types of rounds against OH opponents (p < 0.01, ES: 0.77–0.91). Professionals are recommended to concentrate on the enhancement of the abovementioned key technical-tactical skills to achieve better match performance.