Relaxation practice

Table Tennis Strokes and Technique

Last updated 11 years ago

Bob Yorke

Bob Yorke Asked 11 years ago

Hi Alois, do you have any tips or drills to help me play and practice with a more relaxed arm and shoulder on my shots.  I am aware, particularly in matches when under stress, that I become tense, over grip my bat, and try to use too much strength to hit the ball.

Thanks

Bob


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago

Hi Bob,

This is one of the most common problems I see with strokes during matches.  The shoulder is often the first thing to tighten in a match.

One thing you can do is during practice really just keep focus on the shoulder.  You can do this by placing your other hand on your shoulder during the stroke.  It will be a bit awkward to play the shot but it just puts attention there.  While you have your hand on your shoulder tighten and relax your shoulder to feel the difference in tension and the effects on your stroke.

You can start to put your focus on the shoulder during some practice games as well and see what is happening.  Just see whether your shoulder feels tight or relaxed using the reference of how it felt during your training sessions.

Once you get the feeling of the difference between the two you will find it easier to relax your shoulder once you feel it starting to tighten.

Another simple indicator is how tight you are gripping your bat.  Try to grip it as loosely as possible while still maintaining grip of course.  If the hand is tight, you will feel the effects right up into your shoulder.


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Bob Yorke

Bob Yorke Posted 11 years ago

Alois, thanks for great tip. I will practice this at my next training session, and I'm sure it will improve my game.  Happy Christmas to you all from a very cold and wintery England!    Cheers.    Bob


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago

No problems Bob.

Greeting for Christmas to you too.  I have to say finally we Aussies get one up on the Brits... a beautiful 37 celsius in Melbourne today.



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