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Forcing the Pace in a Match

Strategy

Ilia Minkin
Ilia Minkin Asked 9 years ago

Hi guys,

I've been working for a while on the ability to force the pace early in a rally, like in your #50 lesson of the Training Plan. I have definitely improved my footwork and power of my shots in the drills. But when I try to hit an opening shot in a match situation faster, my consistency goes down, which leaves me frustrated. So in matches, should I keep trying to use more power despite bad losses? Or I should play safer and keep doing the drills until I improve more?

Alois Rosario
Member Badge Alois Rosario Answered 9 years ago

Hi Ilia,

If you are prepared to lose the match then you should keep focusing on hitting the ball faster.  If the result of the match is important then go back to the safer opening topspin.

Keep working on the faster ball in training as well till you are really confident to go for the faster ball.

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Thoughts on this question (11)

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Ilia Minkin

Ilia Minkin Posted 9 years ago

Had a horrible 0-3 loss in our local league tonight... But made some great forehand kills of a push -- although missed way more than hit.

Alois Rosario

Member Badge Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 9 years ago

OK.  Was the match result important to you?

Ilia Minkin

Ilia Minkin Posted 9 years ago

Well, not that, hopefully next time I will hit more :)

kathy mckelvey

kathy mckelvey Posted 9 years ago

Thank you Alois and Jeff.   After experiencing conflict and word exchange in our last meeting,   our over 55  age  PP club is finally rotating tables after three games,  hopefully now we will have the chance to improve playing with more advanced players.   There was resistance,   upset and angry feedback  from old school  male seniors,  plus a few aggressive females (ha ha) However,  change has to happen so whatever the outcome I hope it is peaceful and positive!!          

Mike Deubig

Mike Deubig Posted 9 years ago

Hello Ilia,

Here is something that may help you or may not because I have never seen any of your matches on video...Being able to go faster and win points in table tennis is my favorite part of playing the game! Firstly, how big is your swing? When you go fast, you need a shorter swing. Many people will try to generate more power by increasing their swing, but by doing so cuts down on the time you can respond to your opponent's successful return. Secondly, footwork! Are you setting up well for the next ball or are you moving while trying to hit the ball? Thirdly, placement! Are you hitting the ball to a weaker side of your opponent? Placement is always key when going faster. Fourthly, what about producing more(faster) spin. For all players, there is a threshold on how much spin one can handle. Good luck playing :) 

 

Igor Poletaev

Igor Poletaev Posted 9 years ago

I fully agree with Mike Deubig. Great four points!

kathy mckelvey

kathy mckelvey Posted 9 years ago

Thank you all for your informative comments re:  the  pace of play!!

Alois Rosario

Member Badge Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 9 years ago

Hi Kathy,

Nice to hear that there have been some changes at the session.

kathy mckelvey

kathy mckelvey Posted 9 years ago

Thank you Alois.

Ilia Minkin

Ilia Minkin Posted 9 years ago

Mike, all your points are valid, but they are a kind of the next step -- I struggle to get the ball on the table when I try to play faster. I relied on the slow spinny topspin as the opening shot for too long, it is hard to change this habit. Gotta send some footage to the supercoach Alois...

Mike Deubig

Mike Deubig Posted 9 years ago Latest

Thanks Igor and kathy :) 

 

In reply to Ilia...

Your slow looping tells me you are not driving the ball, perhaps not swinging fast enough either.  You have to change the angle of your paddle, do not let the ball drop below the table to loop it. Keep your swing short and use your body more to generate the power.

I suggest you become a premium member at pingskills. I tried the 52-week membership, and it's helped my game. You can also download the videos for future reference. Remember, it takes time to get faster, to drive the ball quicker and react to your opponent's return. Once you able to force the issue better, don't ever abandon the slow loop, the more options you have the better. 

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