A loop is a table tennis stroke made by brushing upward against the ball to create topspin.
The loop became especially important as modern rubber equipment made it easier to generate heavy spin. Players accelerate the racket upward and forward, using the rubber to grip the ball rather than striking through it with a flat racket face. The resulting topspin makes the ball dip onto the table and jump forward after bouncing.
Loops can be played against backspin, topspin, or no-spin balls, although the racket angle and swing vary for each situation. A loop against backspin generally requires a more upward swing, while a counterloop against topspin is usually more forward and compact.
The loop is often confused with a smash. A smash emphasizes speed and a flatter trajectory, whereas a loop emphasizes topspin and arc. A chop is the contrasting defensive stroke: it usually sends the ball back with backspin from farther away from the table.