High and low quality tables

Ardak . Asked 2 years ago

Hi, coach!

In owr city there is a club which organizes very interesting tournaments. But tables in the club are very weird (you saw them in my last videos). The ball bounces weirdly. When I do strong power topspins they still bounce weirdly, it feels like the ball bounces from a soft surface, it feels like the table decreases the effectiveness of my strokes. And the ball bounces from my side of table also strange. You saw that I missed many balls while I was trying topspins. Yes, surely, it mostly depends on my own flaws/faults, but recently I noticed that I almost never miss, when I play in the TT federation, there are very quality donic/butterfly tables. I like to play in the TT federation because of good tables, I don't like to play in the club because of bad tables. I play in the club only because of interesting players and interesting tournaments. 

1) Can low quality tables increase chances of ball missings? 

2) What would you do if you were me, would you continue to play in the club with weird tables? Or it is better to play only at high quality tables?

Alois Rosario Answered 2 years ago

Hi Ardak,

I would continue to play in the club as being able to adapt is a really important part of learning this game.

It seems the lower quality or slower tables is contributing to you missing the ball. If you are noticing the ball is bouncing slower, watch the ball carefully and try to wait a little longer or move closer to the table when you are playing on those tables.  Watching and being able to change the timing of your stroke can help you also when you are playing against an opponent who is able to vary the speed of the ball.