Get with the Program

Peter Kuskie Asked 12 years ago

I am 54.  I started table tennis late.  I want to improve.  What I would like is a step by step program I can work on alone (I have a robot) and with a coach that will progress me through the shots I need to master.  I know I will only get out what I put it.  I also know it is more than executing the shots correctly (there is footwork and strategy etc) but I want to master each shot in a sequence.  Big ask I know but it is hard doing a bit of this and a bit of that without a framework.

Thank you

Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago

Hi Peter,

I guess we start at the very beginning.  I like to teach the forehand and backhand counterhit strokes first. Then the backhand push, then the forehand push.  Then progress on to the forehand topspin against block and then the forehand tospin against backspin.  From there move over to the backhand side and do backhand topspin against block and then backhand topspin against backspin.

I don't think you can focus on just on stroke at a time though.  It would be too monotonous.  You can mix a few of them up and work on a few at a time.

Then it would be a matter of linking the strokes together with a series of shots ina drill.  This may also require some footwork skills as well.

Serving should be introduced fairly early on, definitely at a basic level focusing on height, speed and placement.  Then  I would work on spin and placement.

This is a good guide but certainly not the definitive answer.

Keep in touch and let me know how this is progressing.