Mesmerized by the ball

Table Tennis Footwork

Last updated 8 years ago

Ilia Minkin

Ilia Minkin Asked 8 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

Alois Rosario Answered 8 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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Thoughts on this question

D K

D K Posted 8 years ago

How can i train it?

I usually recognise where the ball is going at the moment when the ball touches my table.


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 8 years ago

Practice your footwork regularly and focus on the ball in training.


D K

D K Posted 8 years ago

Thanks a lot.

YOur advices are taking my game absolutely somewhere else.


Steve Billmire

Steve Billmire Posted 8 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

martinand bernard Posted 8 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.


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 8 years ago

I don’t think this is possible in such a fast game like Table Tennis.


Steve Billmire

Steve Billmire Posted 8 years ago

I don't have time to watch my opponent. Just the ball and my opponents paddle so I can see what type of counterhit to expect.


martinand bernard

martinand bernard Posted 8 years ago

just to have a glance, what position has the opponent and what stroke and direction of the ball


martinand bernard

martinand bernard Posted 8 years ago

just watch the bat it's to late to réact


Ilia Minkin

Ilia Minkin Posted 8 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 :(


D K

D K Posted 8 years ago

I also sometimes fall into one-side play when encountering a powerful opponent (which is everyone compared to me)


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 8 years ago

Hi Ilia,

Both styles are good but if you feel that you are getting caught out on the forehand wing when you pivot, then you need to play your backhand more in a match.

Draw a line in your mind as to where you should play forehands and where you should play backhands and then stick to it in a match situation especially when it gets a bit tighter.


Ilia Minkin

Ilia Minkin Posted 8 years ago

Alois,
 
That is a good idea, I will definitely try to. My ultimate goal is to be able to play both styles and choose between them depending on my condition and the game situation. The most difficult challenge for me is to accept the fact that playing backhand more will drop down my level for a while...



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