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Obstacles For The Beginner

The Block

The Qualities Of Table Tennis Champions

Obstacles For The Beginner

09/21/2002

Unfortunately, most recreational players have ingrained bad habits into their games. This results from the lack of proper coaching and no exposure to tournament play. The beginner lacks both the consistency of the champion, and the technique to properly transfer power (or spin) to the ball. Typically beginners and recreational players make the following errors:

Exaggerated stroke motions that contradict smooth execution of the stroke and/or result in poor position for the next stroke (the beginner's strokes are often haphazard and not well-integrated)
Improper acceleration through the ball, reaching the greatest stroke velocity at the improper time (beginners often attempt to bang, smack, or slap the ball, rather than stroking smoothly)
Failure to adjust the blade angle to compensate for the spin of the oncoming ball (the recreational player is often overwhelmed by spins produced by an average tournament player)
Inadequate and/or inappropriate practice (many beginners will engage in aimless hitting, rather than consistent, well-designed practice sessions and drills)
Improper shakehand grip: many beginners (and some more advanced players) place the index finger too far into the blade, more diagonal to the bottom edge of the blade, instead of parallel (most coaches believe that this inhibits proper execution of forehand table tennis strokes)
Compromised ready position: in the ready position, most beginners do not fully bend the knees or crouch the waist, or elevate the free arm for balance
Poor footwork (beginners often run themselves out of position for the subsequent stroke, or never reach the proper location to successfully execute a stroke)
Illegal serves
Improper stroke techniques; for example, common mistakes in executing the forehand drive include:

The tendency to hit around the ball, rather than directly through the ball
Exaggerated (and unnecessary) shoulder movement

The Block

09/21/2002

The block is a table tennis technique designed to counteract oncoming topspin shots. When initially learning the block, no blade action should be imparted during ball contact. Move into position and hold the blade perfectly still and let the blade absorb all of the energy of the ball. Some players find it beneficial to visualize the wrist as a cushion that absorbs the energy of the ball.

The blade angle should be closed to severely closed when blocking, and the degree of closure will vary with the amount of topspin (and to some extent the speed) of the oncoming ball. An opponent's loop, with heavy topspin, should be blocked with a severely closed blade angle. When blocking heavy topspin, many players make ball contact very early, immediately after the bounce. Some players refer to this as "smothering the ball".

Although for beginning players, no blade movement should occur during ball contact, more advanced players sometimes move the blade forward slightly in a grazing motion to impart additional topspin to the ball, thereby increasing the degree of arc to help ensure that the ball will strike in the opponents court.

Some players move the blade backward (without grazing) to reduce the speed of the blocked return, for added control.

The block is a passive technique in the sense that players do not add any significant energy to the ball. However, well-angled blocks that take full advantage of the energy in the oncoming ball can be extremely troublesome to the opponent.

Although most blocks are angled off one of the sides of the opposing court, a certain type of block, called a drop shot is aimed near the center of the table and designed to bounce twice in the opponent's court. The purpose of the drop shot is to take advantage of an opponent who is playing too far away from the table.

The Qualities Of Table Tennis Champions

09/21/2002

A common trait of champions in many sports is that they perform only the minimum motion necessary to successfully execute a stroke and return to ready position, without extraneous movement. This is especially true in table tennis, a complex, technique-oriented sport.

All of the greatest champions (in any sport) have had excellent coaching, and a champion has a great desire to learn. Champions are great students, seeking not only to master proven techniques but to develop innovative new techniques.

The table tennis champion knows how to accelerate properly through the stroke to transfer power smoothly to the ball. The champion has a sense that the ball is "carried" or "placed" over the net and seems to maintain a long contact time between the blade and the ball.

The champion's strokes are smooth and integrated, achieving a well-refined balance of all body movements required to fluidly execute strokes and prepare immediately for subsequent strokes.

The champion applies just the right amount of back swing and follow-through to the stroke, and returns expediently to the ready position with a minimum of effort. The champion knows how to adjust the location of the ready position for various contingencies.

Table tennis champions often have strong legs and nimble feet to enable rapid re-positioning of the body for the most appropriate subsequent stroke. A champion knows how to move quickly and efficiently in any direction, and smooth footwork is second-nature. Many champions are naturally light on the feet, and those who are not have spent many hours in footwork drills. Many table tennis champions skip rope in their training routines, similar to boxers, to remain light on the feet.

Champions retain body weight on the toes (with knees bent) between strokes, ready for instantaneous movement. The champion's feet are planted firmly only when executing the strokes, not between strokes.

The champion has thoroughly mastered the use of spin and (equally important) knows how to counteract spin. The table tennis champion has a sharp eye, and knows the importance of careful observation of the following:

The direction of motion of the opponent's blade at the precise instant it strikes the ball, and the blade angle, because these factors determine the type and degree of spin applied to the oncoming ball
The trajectory, speed, direction, and of the oncoming ball because these factors assist the champion in ascertaining the type of spin, and appropriate countermeasures

After the blade has struck the ball, the champion focuses attention on the ball and is not distracted by any exaggerated motions of the opponent's blade after the point-of-contact. All such motions are irrelevant.

Whenever possible, a table tennis champion moves to an optimum position to stroke the ball, rather than reaching for the ball. Champions efficiently use every split-second available to move as close as humanly possible to an optimum position. Champions execute strokes in the most fluid manner relative to their actual position, taking full advantage of all appropriate muscle groups, yet without any unnecessary motion.

A champion thoroughly understands that the choice of muscle groups to use when executing a stroke (and the extent of use) varies with:

Distance from the net
Closeness to the optimum position

The champion, although focused in competition, is usually slightly relaxed and the muscles are somewhat loose. The muscles are contracted during the stroke, but only to the extent necessary for successful execution. The champion has mastered the fundamentals of stroke techniques and rapid re-positioning to the ready position, often to the point of elegance and grace.

The champion is an expert at shot selection, and chooses the most appropriate strokes based on:

His/her position relative to the oncoming ball
The weaknesses of the opponent
The position of the opponent with respect to the opposite court

Although there are some notable exceptions, most champions are not severely affected by a missed point or a questionable call from a referee. Most champions do not waste effort worrying about a completed point; rather they focus mental energy on the next point. The majority of table tennis champions focus on each point as a single entity, and play to the best of their ability, regardless of the score of the game. Champions are not known for giving-up, slacking-off, or defeatist attitudes.

A champion knows the importance of proper diet, exercise, a good night's rest, strength and agility training, and a positive attitude. Most champions are non-smokers and do not drink heavily or engage in other self-destructive habits. The greatest champions engage in physically demanding training routines and specialized table tennis drills.

Every table tennis champion has invested many hours at the practice table. A champion conducts practice drills often, and does not merely play matches. A champion practices footwork drills and re-positioning of the body, not simply stroke execution. The greatest table tennis champions are patient enough to conduct the most mundane practice drills, and tough enough to endure the most grueling physical training routines.

The great table tennis champions have a very refined sense of "touch" and know how to use the energy of the oncoming ball to their advantage. A champion knows when to apply finesse, and when to apply power. Many table tennis champions are skilled in the art of deception, particularly with respect to the serve.

Many champions perform one or more of the following activities, immediately prior to an important match:

Relaxing and thoroughly clearing their mind, for a few moments
Taking deep breaths, and holding air in for a moment at a time
Stretching or light exercises
Imagining a sequence of shots that could occur in the upcoming match, and visualizing proper stroke execution and footwork
Formulating a strategy based on the opponent's strengths and weaknesses
Warming-up at a practice table (if one is available)
Practicing footwork drills
Executing shadow strokes (no ball in play)

The Forehand Drive

09/19/2002

The forehand drive, the most powerful shot in table tennis, is a very effective stroke particularly for the attacking-style player. For the majority of playing styles, the forehand drive should be practiced more than any other stroke, except possibly the serve. There are two types of drives, the counter drive is used to attack an oncoming ball with topspin, and the pick is used to attack an oncoming ball with backspin.

The forehand drive is performed with the right foot placed further away from the table than the left foot, and the body turned to the right side. This initial position allows for maximum power transfer to the ball, because transfer of body weight adds to the force that can be imparted in the stroke.

To execute a forehand drive, position the blade below the expected height of the oncoming ball, and shift your weight to the rear (right) foot. Maintain your elbow a few inches from the ribs, in a relaxed, comfortable posture.

A player should take a comfortable back swing to prepare for the forehand drive. Choose the blade angle you will use for the forehand drive as you conduct the back swing. The blade angle should be decided on, prior to commencing any forward stroke motion (although sometimes adjustments are inevitable).

Move the blade upward and forward and attempt to contact the ball at the highest point of its bounce (unless this height is extreme, in which case contact should be made earlier than the height of the bounce). More advanced players will often attack prior to the height of the bounce on all forehand drives.

The upward, forward motion of the forehand drive should be conducted primarily with the elbow joint. Use of the elbow is particularly important for beginners, who typically use too much shoulder or wrist, and lose control. The elbow is an easier joint to control than the shoulder or wrist. Advanced players use a judicious amount of wrist in conjunction with the elbow motion, but only after they have thoroughly mastered the use of the elbow.

The upward, forward motion of the forehand drive is accompanied by the transfer of body weight from the rear foot to the front foot (a twisting of the waist). Proper twisting of the waist is gauged by observing the position of the right hip (for right-handed players) after the stroke is completed. The right hip should point to the desired ball placement location in the opponent's court.

The movement of the forearm and wrist should be very smooth and well-integrated with the transfer of body weight from the rear foot to the front foot (twisting of the waist).

Practice of the forehand-drive is essential to develop a top-flight attack in table tennis. A forehand drive executed with maximum power, designed to win the point outright, is called a kill shot or smash.

Although the outright kill shot should be practiced in drills, substantially more drill time should be devoted to learning the technique of the forehand drive wherein 60-80% of full power is used, rather than full power. This will enable the player to maintain control and develop consistency.

The Service

09/18/2002

The service (serve) is unique among table tennis shots, in that the ball must strike the near court (on the server's side of the table) prior to striking in the opponent's court. Despite this requirement, the server has a substantial strategic advantage, because a properly trained server has a great deal of control over:

The type and degree of spin imparted to the ball
Speed of the serve
Placement (location) in the opponent's court

The opponent has no prior knowledge of the type of serve chosen by the server, and to fully exploit the service advantage, players should serve with:

A purpose rather than simply putting the ball into play (throw the opponent off-balance, set up a weak return, etc.)
Deception, by trying to disguise what type of spin is applied
Powerful spins, but vary the degree of spin, for added deception
Accurate placement (i.e. -learn how to place the ball at precise locations in the opponents court)

The serve is a very effective table tennis stroke, and practice time invested in the service often yields superior results than comparable time practicing most other strokes. Many tournament players have yet to exploit the full potential of the serve. This is unfortunate, because the table tennis server has a tremendous advantage and a great opportunity to win the point early, or maintain the offensive.

Fast serves are accomplished by stroking directly through the ball. Serves with greater spin are executed by grazing the outer edge of the ball (striking at a tangent). The type of spin applied when serving is dependent on what part of the ball is struck, the blade angle, and the direction of blade motion immediately at contact. More spin can be applied when serving by contacting the ball in the portion of the blade furthest from the handle.

The Ready Position

09/17/2002

The ready position is the position one assumes in preparation to receive an opponent's serve. The player in the ready position should be facing the table or turned slightly to favor the forehand side, with the right foot slightly further from the table than the left foot (for right-handed players). A wide stance is recommended for the ready position, with the feet spaced at least as far apart as the player's shoulders. Correct form for the ready position includes:

Knees bent and the waist crouched forward
Head positioned low (neck slightly crouched)
Eyes focused straight ahead
Toes pointed slightly towards each other
Heels barely touching the ground

The correct distance from the table for the ready position is determined by the players ability to reach the table with the blade. Many players position themselves so that they can just barely reach the white centerline of the table with the blade. In the ready position, the blade should be raised slightly above table height and the top of the blade should be pointed directly toward the table. The free (non-blade) arm should be elevated to about table height to aid the players balance.

Since most players (correctly) favor the forehand side for more power, the ready position is slightly off-center of the table. Most (right-handed) players stand slightly to the left of the white center line, to enable coverage of more of the table with forehand strokes, particularly the powerful forehand drive. The ideal ready position will vary slightly dependent on a player's ability and playing style.

The ready position is a useful concept for receiving all of an opponent's strokes, not just the serve. Therefore, players should return to a ready position between shots whenever time permits. However the distance from the table and the optimum side-to-side positioning often need to be altered from the typical service-return ready position.

Types Of Spin

09/17/2002

Table tennis is a game heavily dependent on spin, more so than most (if not all) other ball sports. Champions must master not only the speed and power of the game of table tennis, but must thoroughly understand spin.

A type of spin produced by stroking upward and forward, contacting the ball near the top is called topspin where the ball is spinning towards your opponent. Balls with topspin have a characteristic arc in trajectory as they transverse the table. The degree of the arc will vary with the amount of topspin.

Stroking underneath the ball in a level motion, or in back of the ball in a downward motion will produce backspin where the ball is spinning towards you (even though it is moving towards your opponent). Balls with backspin will tend to move in a straight line and not arc.

Sidespin is produced when the ball is struck near the back and the blade is stroked toward either the left or right side of the table.

Blade Angle And Adjustment:

To properly counteract spin and successfully return table tennis balls, the blade angle must be adjusted for both the type and degree of spin. A small adjustment in blade angle makes a significant impact on the stroke trajectory, and therefore where the ball lands in the opposing court.
In performing an attacking shot against an oncoming ball that has topspin applied by the opponent (spinning towards you), a closed blade angle is used. In the case of an oncoming ball with extreme topspin, an extremely closed blade angle is used (e g, smothering the ball).
In order to attack an oncoming ball that has backspin, an open blade angle is used. The open blade angle will be more effective than exaggerated lifting motions in overcoming the backspin of an oncoming shot.

Reading Spin:

Aspiring players should attempt to determine what type of spin an opponent is applying to the ball, so that it can be counteracted. Watch the direction of the blade motion and blade angle used by the opponent. Watch the motion precisely at ball contact and don't be confused by any motion before or after ball contact.

Blades And Surfaces

09/15/2002

Most basement and rec-room (recreational) players call the table tennis racquet a "paddle", and most tournament players refer to the racquet as a blade. Although the size, shape, and weight of a blade are important considerations in table tennis, the type of rubber surface affixed to the blade is a much more important consideration, particularly for the beginner.

Pimpled rubber (with no sponge backing) was used internationally until the 1950s and the advent of sponge rubber. Pimpled rubber without a sponge backing is called hard rubber. Although hard rubber is still legal for tournament play, most tournament table tennis players use two layers of rubber: a layer of sponge rubber, covered by a layer of pimpled rubber. The sponge rubber, although underneath the pimpled rubber, enables much more powerful (faster) shots in table tennis. The sponge rubber is typically yellow in color and the pimpled rubber attached to the sponge is most often red or black. The two layers of rubber used on each side of the blade form a sandwich-like appearance.

The pimpled rubber with sponge backing can be attached to the blade with the pips facing outward, called pips out. However, most often the pimpled rubber attached to the sponge is inverted, with the pips facing into the sponge, leaving a very smooth rubber surface facing outward. This rubber was originally called the inverted-sandwich because of the sandwich-like appearance of the various layers of rubber (and wood when attached to the blade). The modern name for inverted-sandwich rubber is simply, inverted rubber.

Inverted rubber is capable of generating much more speed and spin than ordinary pimpled rubber. The inverted rubber also generates more spin than pips-out rubber (with sponge). Inverted rubber is difficult for the beginner to control because of the additional speed and spin, but all developing tournament players should learn to control inverted rubber.

The vast majority of tournament players today use inverted rubber because of the speed and spin advantage; however, some players prefer pips-out rubber for added control (less reaction to opponent=s spin). Most players who use pips-out rubber, use it on only one side of the blade (most often the backhand side), with inverted rubber on the other side.

The blades are made from wood, or wood in combination with layers of carbon fiber, or certain other approved materials. The type of wood in the blade and the number of wood layers makes a difference to the tournament player, but these differences are usually not as noticeable to the beginner.

The Legal Serve

09/14/2002

The Serve in Table Tennis, also called the "SERVICE" is a point of confusion for most players unfamiliar with tournament play (recreational players).

The United States of America Table Tennis (USATT) in association with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has established rules for the SERVICE, which include:

The ball must be tossed vertically upwards at least six inches from an open palm.
The service must be performed behind the end line of the table.
Also, the ball cannot be struck on its ascent.

Note that the serve can be tossed much higher than six inches if the server desires. This is called a "high toss serve"

In singles play the serve does not have to be performed cross-court. The court markings are only for doubles play. In doubles the serve must be served cross-court (diagonally).