How to put together a consistent 10 week season
Table Tennis Strokes and Technique
Last updated 9 years ago
David Nguyen Asked 9 years ago
Hi Alois, I've been stuck playing the same grade for almost a year and regularly place top 3 out of the other 12 regular players. Some players have commented that I should be playing at higher grade as I've beaten those that have been promoted to (and demoted from) the higher grade. The problem is I cannot get a consistent 10 week season together. Invariably, there will be some weeks during the season when my game misfires and I giftwrap matches to my opponents. On my FH, when my opening loops work and my footwork allows me to pivot correctly, I surprise myself and beat my nearest rivals comfortably. When my opening FH loops don't work (i.e. I do lots of fresh-air swings) I get thrashed. On my BH, I perceive the ball to strike through to the blade too early before I can impart enough spin, and that there is very little margin between flat batting and brushing. Consequently, I can't execute an opening loop consistently during matchplay. My backhand is the most obvious weakness to everyone at the club.
So a few questions:
Q1. What's the minimum training time during the on-season to maintain skill level?
Q2. How do I know if I'm warmed up sufficiently enough before starting my first pennant match each week?
Q3. Should I go back to my slower control equipment to develop my "new" BH or persist with my faster setup? Thanks in advance, David
Alois Rosario Answered 9 years ago
Hi David,
Consistency can be elusive.
I think going back a step and slowing things down is the best answer.
As far as regularity of training during the season I think 1 to 2 sessions per week is a minimum.
Before a pennant match, make sure you depend enough time to feel confident to make the opening topspins consistently. It may not even be the length of time, but the type of practice that you need to do. So going through some drills where you practice that first topspin are important.
If you feel you are not able to control the ball with your new bat now, then it may be worth going back step with the equipment as well.
Thoughts on this question
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David Nguyen Posted 9 years ago
Thanks Alois,
Just revisited the some of the Master Classes. I particular like the persevere advice in "Attacking First" as well as the emphasis on "effective" instead of going for outright winners in the "Backhand Topspin". I'm also beware of concentrating too much on my weaknesses as outlined in "Strengths" and "Erring" on the side of control equipment as stated in "Consistency". The "Which Footwork Drill" helped me decide what to practise each week during the season by thinking about what I do in match situations to decide the best drill to use during training.
Next season starts in exactly two weeks.
I'll also try to tune my "Activation Level" each week season to avoid the rollercoaster ride I've been having during the previous seasons.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 9 years ago
Good on you David. Looks like you are utilising the site well. Keep working hard.
David Nguyen Posted 9 years ago
Picked up my old 5 ply Stiga "Dennis Makaling" with Mark V setup I bought way back in 1995 at Rebel. Never noticed how much control this setup had until now. I didn't need to hesitate using a full stroke for both wings. Actually I was forced to perform full strokes to get the ball over consistently. Only downside is the forehand is noticeably weaker in both spin and speed but small price to pay to get my opening BH loop back.
Thanks for the tip Alois, fast equipment has compromised my technique. I just didn't want to believe it until I experienced the contrast in control for myself.
The Mark V's are pretty lifeless now. If I get a replacement setup, control would be my first priority at this stage of my development. As an added bonus, control equipment costs less.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 9 years ago
I like where you have got to David.