Footwork for point-blank

Greetings Alois,

as blocking is also a defense,I trained it recently and I am curious-that blocking you show in video....Anticipation,I think?
Simply Jeff was looping towards you and you were blocking irregularly placed strokes.
I would like to ask if there is any footwork useful as this is at the closest possible range and I cannot imagine doing a shuffle step in a fraction of second.
The players doing it (usually Waldner) seem to predict it,so they move there before the stroke is made but we are mere people. So from this view...is there any footwork behind point-blank emergency blocking or it is only a hand-only skill?

Thanks
DK

Hi DK,

Often there is no need or time to move.  It is more a matter of staying square on to the table and reacting to the forehand or backhand side as needed.