Minimum Age For Table Tennis - When To Start Table Tennis?

Table tennis is a fun sport to play. Meanwhile, it has become a tough challenge to develop skills because this game involves a lot of rules and techniques. There is a massive difference between learning something and mastering something. Age is one of the significant factors that matter for table tennis. The most common question is, what is the minimum age for table tennis? It solely depends on an individual player. This article will mention six essential factors that will help a person to decide the right time to start the journey of table tennis.

Table Of Contents hide

1. When To Start Table Tennis?

2. 1. Time frame:

3. 2. Starting early:

4. 3. Role of parents:

5. 4. The intention of a player:

6. 5. Mental and physical ability:

7. 6. Age limit for players:

8. Final Words:

When To Start Table Tennis?

1. Time frame:

Most of the professional coaches think that it takes at least five years to master table tennis. This game can suddenly become way too hard if you compete with someone professional. There are loads of tricks and rules that cannot be grasped by someone within a short period. The time limit also depends on practice. If a player is dedicated enough and regular, he or she has a chance to be a skillful player faster than those who are not consistence. It might take ten to fifteen years for some people. It is quite a wide time frame. But nothing good can be achieved within a short time. But it should not take more than three weeks to learn the basics of table tennis.

2. Starting early:

The sooner you start, the fruitful it would be for you. It will help you to achieve proficiency in table tennis. It is easy to learn something at a young age. The minds of kids are designed to learn, and the minds of adults are designed to perform. Of course, in this case, parents have to make the decision. One can start playing table tennis at the age of four or five. A four or five years old kid can easily follow the instruction if they are given proper care. Because of the development of the prefrontal cortex, adults see something exactly as it is. The prefrontal cortex is a part of the brain which gets fully developed at the age of twenty-five.On the contrary, kids can imagine something from a different point of view that helps them to learn faster than adults. There is no need to create pressure on young children. Just let them play, and at the age of eleven or twelve, he or she can start taking part in competitions. By the age of fifteen-sixteen, he or she will achieve proficiency in this filed.

3. Role of parents:

Parents have an essential role to play here. A kid would not be able to make the right decision at the right time. Their first responsibility is to check whether their kids are ready to play or not? Only just handover a ball and a paddle to them. It is an excellent way to identify their potential. No matter how bad you want your kid to be good at table tennis, it is not possible until he or she loves playing table tennis or grows some interest for the game. Allow them to try every sort of game. Once they start enjoying this game, a parent can hire a coach or can put them in table tennis training centers to seek professional guidance.

4. The intention of a player:

If you are aiming to compete in any of the significant official events and become a professional player, you have to start early. Once you begin taking part in competitions, you will realize that your opponents have very well developed skills. It will be difficult for you to beat their level if you lack experience. There is so much to learn. There are variations of different strokes. To overcome the level of a professional player, you will have to master the advanced skills which will require a lot of time. If you want to play this game for fun and want to compete with your friends, you can start at any age. You will achieve the necessary skills within a short time.

5. Mental and physical ability:

The minimum age for table tennis is also related with one’s mental and physical ability. Everybody cannot consume a thing at the same speed. Capabilities vary from person to person. If a kid can follow the instructions or adapt the tricks at the age of five, that does not mean that every kid will be able to do the same. It depends on two things – mental strength and physical power.Mental toughness is needed for adapting the tricks and rules. Table tennis rules can become trickier sometimes. Physical strength is required in order to generate power. It is a sport. Power is a must-have item. One will have to move his or her body muscles while playing. These two factors solely depend on the individual.

6. Age limit for players:

There is no fixed age limit for table tennis. One can begin at four. Another can start in fifty. It is entirely up to the person who will be playing. There are tournaments of table tennis for various age groups organized at the district level, state level, national level, international level. There are tournaments for veterans. Players with age forty, fifty even eighty take part. In the Olympics, teens take part. There are tournaments organized for kids where young players can compete.

Final Words:

There is no fixed minimum age for table tennis. Start playing the minute you are interested in. If you do not have affection for what you are doing, you will not get success in that field. It entirely depends on one’s dedication and will power. Anything can be achieved at any time. You are never too late to begin something. Do not be dispirited, because someday you will evolve as well. If one intends to become a professional player and has higher goals, it is suitable for him to start early. If you are a parent and you think that your kid has potential, four or five would be the best age to start practicing. It requires a considerable amount of time to ace the art of table tennis.