Evaluation of Forehand and Backhand Technique: An Experimental Study of Training Effectiveness in Table Tennis

Abstract

Various techniques in the game of table tennis are studied in depth to improve the performance of athletes. The research focuses on the analysis of aspects of the game such as technical skills, biomechanics, and the level of effectiveness. This study was to look at the effectiveness of forehand and backhand skills in table tennis games. This research is included in the type of ex post facto research, where the measurement or testing of forehand and backhand hitting skills in table tennis games is carried out on students who have participated in table tennis lectures for 16 meetings, with a total of 24 participants. The learning process was conducted through structured sessions, ensuring that all participants received equal opportunities for practice using adequate facilities. Skill assessment was administered after the completion of the instructional program. Data analysis involved testing the normality of the data distribution, followed by the application of both parametric and non-parametric statistical approaches to compare forehand and backhand performance. The findings revealed that forehand performance tended to follow a normal distribution, while backhand performance showed slight deviations from normality. However, the results from both statistical approaches consistently indicated that there was no significant difference between forehand and backhand skills. Visual analysis further supported these findings, showing that forehand data aligned more closely with the expected distribution pattern, whereas backhand data demonstrated minor irregularities. In conclusion, beginner students exhibit relatively balanced development of forehand and backhand skills following structured learning. These findings suggest that the instructional approach applied in the learning process is effective in promoting proportional skill acquisition. The study emphasizes the importance of balanced technical training in early stages of learning and highlights the need for further research to explore additional factors that may influence skill development in table tennis.