- The basic idea is to maintain pressure on your opponent, and make him take big risks if he wants you to stop attacking him. Your own attacks should be low risk in comparison.
- Attack with good speed and spin into your opponent's playing elbow, and wide of his power zones, so that he is constantly on the move to hit his strokes. Don't just focus on side to side placement, remember that you can change depth as well. If your opponent is playing far away from the table, use a drop shot to bring him back in, and attack the next ball to push him back again. If he is staying right up to the table, aim some balls closer to the endline to help push him back from the table, then go shorter again.
- When your opponent makes a low or tight return that is difficult to attack with power, settle for an attack with more spin and a bit less speed. The extra spin should help force him to return the ball a bit higher, and hopefully you can hit harder again. It is a better strategy to keep the pressure on him by successfully attacking again a bit slower, than trying to hit too hard and making a mistake.
- When attacking with power, don't compromise your technique. Real power comes from the use of good technique at slightly under maximum effort level. Keeping your attacks at around 90% maximum power is a good rule of thumb.
- Following on from the above point, don't use too large a follow through - it will affect your balance and slow down your recovery time, making it difficult to make consecutive attacks. Don't follow through past the middle of your body, unless you are trying to put the ball away.
- Be prepared for the ball to come back. You may need to attack several times to win the point. Don't make the common mistake of hitting each attack harder until you lose your technique, and lose the point.
- Use your footwork to move you around the court and allow you to play your best shots more often, without bending or reaching for the ball. Good footwork is what allows you to maintain the pressure when attacking, since it is much harder for your opponent to place the ball to a location that forces you to stop attacking.
Next: What to do when your opponent is in control of the point
