Mesmerized by the ball
Footwork
Ilia Minkin Asked 9 years ago
Hi Alois,
I followed your advices in the lesson on anticipation I try to watch the ball well. The problem, though, is that if the ball is fast, I can only react if the ball is coming right into my hitting position or nearby. The typical situation is that I stand in my backhand corner, I see that my opponent is going to topspin to my wide forehand, but instead of moving to forehand, I'm mesmerized by the ball and actions of my opponents, and move when it is too late. How can I cope with this?
Alois Rosario Answered 9 years ago
Hi Ilia,
If you practice your footwork movements more you will start to make those movements more automatic. So as soon as you recognise the ball is going out to your forehand you will start to move there as well. This is all part of the development of the game. It sounds like you are starting to watch the ball well now which is great.
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D K Posted 9 years ago
How can i train it?
I usually recognise where the ball is going at the moment when the ball touches my table.
Practice your footwork regularly and focus on the ball in training.
Steve Billmire Posted 9 years ago
Watching the ball is critical. Tho you might be mesmerized by watching it you still need to concentrate on what is coming at you. I to have the same issue, but what I do is remember that the ball is coming and I need to get ready for what is coming. Looking at how my opponent is hitting the ball so I know how to react.
martinand bernard Posted 9 years ago
a short moment I think we have to watch the opponent and then watch the ball the eyes move all the time, ball opponent and so one.
Ilia Minkin Posted 9 years ago
Alois, in the show you told about being having a more central position. Actually, I am oscillating between different styles of an all-forehand looper and a two-wing looper. Consciously, I understand that for me it is better to play from both sides, since I'm pretty slow -- I am 6'3'' tall and weigh 200 lbs. But I love to pivot so much, that it became my second nature and it is hard to give it up. However, recently I learned how to loop backspin balls with my backhand and I use it in matches, but under pressure I too often subconsciously fall into that play-forehand-everywhere mentality that leaves my wide forehand open. And actually, I don't know which style should adhere to :(