The Indirect Influence of Stroke Performances on Point Scoring and Conceding in the Four Primary Table Tennis Match Formats
(Jiangchuan Yu, Zhifeng Huang)

The indirect impact of stroke performance on the dynamics of winning and losing points in table tennis has been seldom explored. This study aimed to uncover and contrast the nuances of stroke execution—both the techniques utilized and the strategic ball placements—in four principal types of table tennis matches: right-handed versus right-handed (RRM), right-handed versus left-handed (RLM), left-handed versus right-handed (LRM) and left-handed versus left-handed (LLM). These matches exhibit distinct indirect effects on rally outcomes, categorized as positive (winner-assisting) and negative (momentum-diminishing). Our analysis encompassed 190 men’s singles matches with a total of 15916 points played. Employing chi-square tests for multiple bivariate analyses and subsequent post-hoc pairwise comparisons, we found that for the development of winner-assisting strokes, the ball placements from the normal sidespin serve, backspin/no-spin serve, short push, long push, forehand flip, backhand flip, and both non-topspin and topspin loop/drives for both the forehand and the backhand had small to large effects (p < 0.05–0.001, ES: 0.084–0.266). Similarly, for the induction of momentum-diminishing strokes, the ball placements from the aforementioned serves, short/long push, and flips, along with the non-topspin and topspin loop/drives, blocks and lobs, yielded small to moderate effects (p < 0.05–0.001, ES: 0.050–0.206). These insights are invaluable, enabling professionals to grasp table tennis strategies, enhance training, and execute match plans with precision.