Back after a long long gap

Veet Voojajig Asked 7 years ago

Hi,

I've started playing Table Tennis, after a very long gap, and, I was going through some related sites, when I cam across some Pingskills videos on youtube, which then brought me to this site... Good work guys... Keep it up

I've started playing Table Tennis regularly, after a gap of around 18 years .... I would say that I used to be an intermediate level player, but currently, I'd have to down-grade my play-level to basic ....My game used to be to closer to the table, BH Push/Chop/side-spin, Looping Forehand, Occasional BH Drive, third-ball attack. Relied on ball placement with heavy chop/sidespin ....  I'm 42, and I'm finding it really hard to get back.... My game is certainly a far cry from what it used to be... It's as if I don't know how to play, especially on my forehand, and return of serve ...  Your advice on the following, would be much appreciated

1. Fitness - I'm finding it really hard to move.. To be honest, I'm kind of unfit... What kind of excercises would you recommend to help me move faster, and to get rid of stiffness...
    
2. Equipment - I've managed to find my old bat - a Butterfly Joyner H-AN OFF blade with a Red Yasaka Mark V rubber on the FH, and Black Friendship 729 on the BH. I think, the blade is atleast 22 years old. The rubbers seems to dead'ish... Shall I buy a new blade+rubbers. If Yes, then what would you recommend ? 
    
3. Training Drills - What basic training drills would you recommend, to start of with... Where, I play, I hardly have anyone who is willing to practice with me... Most players are just interested in a game or set. 

Thanks ....

Alois Rosario Answered 7 years ago

Hi Veet,

Glad you are playing again after the break.  It can be frustrating at first.  I think the most important thing to start with is to forget any expectations of how you used to play.  Focus on the positive of each ball going on the table.

As far as exercises, I think initially some basic footwork movements to get the feet moving will be good.  Start with a set drill where you play one ball from each side and then move into more random placements.  If you don't have the opportunity to do drills then during the games focus on moving and jumping a little between each shot to keep the feet moving.  It is all about getting balanced to play each ball.

Regarding equipment I would keep the same blade and just change to new rubbers.  You can't go too far wrong by just getting 2 Mark V rubbers.

Training drills would be as I have indicated above and then also working on some serve and 3rd ball drills.  You serve get your partner to push the ball back to you and you make a topspin stroke.  This is something that will be used a lot in a match situation.

Good luck with it all.