OOAK Table Tennis Forum

I've been trying to learn Chinese (Mandarin) for quite some time, but I couldn't get the accent right. I then realized that little kids seem to learn languages really fast, without a thick accent, so I had a great idea. I got down on my knees and spoke Mandarin and my accent simply disappeared after 5 minutes!

Bravo !

I once saw Chinese coaching video where they were teaching looping not based on whether player was crouching down or standing straight. Chinese coach simply said doesn't matter as long as mechanics allow it are good and repeatable. Would you say that is very true Brett ? Even if I don't squat like Jet Li or Jackie Chan in the "Horse Stance" position, I can still play properly ?

I've been trying to learn Chinese (Mandarin) for quite some time, but I couldn't get the accent right. I then realized that little kids seem to learn languages really fast, without a thick accent, so I had a great idea. I got down on my knees and spoke Mandarin and my accent simply disappeared after 5 minutes!

Are there any videos on ttedge of drills to improve your handling of balls to the elbow?

When I went to camp I saw a lot of coached juniors, and one thing I noticed about them was in backhand drills if a ball mistakenly came to their elbow or near forehand they automatically turned for the fh. I've worked on that some and it's better, but the problem I still have is that I leave my right foot planted. I turn at the shoulders and waist, but without moving my foot back to be almost perpendicular to the table, I'm still jammed to where I can't hit a proper fh.

The one drill I know for this is from te13 to loop all to the blocker's bh, they block to my bh 60% of the table, and I react correctly to make the right stroke for each ball. Does this seem like a reasonable drill for this problem, or are there others/better?

Following up on the issue of starting young usually = good mechanics, I watched LTT41 again. As per per previous discussions on this topic I understand good mechanics in general is a balance between getting the correct feeling in the forearm as well as the lower body. However in my opinion, getting the feeling of good mechanics in terms of how the wrist and forearm move is much more difficult than getting the feeling of how to generate good mechanics using rotation (as discussed in LTT86) . Unfortunately, I feel it's the first category that's required in the more difficult areas of the game such as service return, and fast exchanges close to the table. I think a lot of players can relate to that feeling, of being in the right position to play a good shot without necessarily wanting to hit a very aggressive stroke, but failing to get any momentum or control on the ball due to poor mechanics.

I get this post. It's relatively easy to stand there and topspin against block. Playing in a combat situation is much much more difficult. It takes years to really master the combat side of this sport. It's also hard to deal with the fact that good technique doesn't necessarily improve your results in the short term. It's possible to go backwards for a while because you become too focused on yourself.

I think it's a matter of moving everything forward together and understanding it's a long term process

That's true, and like everyone else sometimes I find it frustrating that I'm not progressing as well as I would like in certain areas of the game. I'm not looking for a quick fix to reach a high level in this game because obviously that doesn't exist. It just seems reasonable to me that there might be a way to develop better technique where fine motor skills are required. Maybe there isn't. It could be something intangible that you pick up over time. Like you say, to really be fluent requires years of practice and a comprehensive training routine.

In the meantime, I'll just have to work on making my hip turns smaller

Actually a quick fix does exist, it's just not that easy to obtain. When I play/practice TT five to seven hours every day in a proper training environment with good coaches and lots of other players I improve roughly 52 times as fast as my normal training routine of seven hours drills a week with two of my friends. So all you have to do to radically accelerate your learning is devote your whole life to TT. Like I said, it would require some commitment. But it works. And it's fun! Full-time TT training is literally my favorite thing. I'm going to TTPor Atema in Setubal PT for two weeks in December. I don't think it will be as ridiculously awesome as the B75 camp, but nothing could be.

I also like training camps a lot. I like the atmosphere of being around many people who practice hard with dedication. BRS, I guess you went to B75? I heard a lot about and even thought of going there, but it didn't click. Were there many adults among camp participants?

I wonder though for how long a typical "learning adult" can carry on the 7 hours per day practice schedule before burning out. My bet is one to three weeks (three for really fit ones). I remember that when I went to LYTTC camps, I felt quite empty after a week, and used to fall asleep at 9 o'clock or around every day.

Are there any videos on ttedge of drills to improve your handling of balls to the elbow?

When I went to camp I saw a lot of coached juniors, and one thing I noticed about them was in backhand drills if a ball mistakenly came to their elbow or near forehand they automatically turned for the fh. I've worked on that some and it's better, but the problem I still have is that I leave my right foot planted. I turn at the shoulders and waist, but without moving my foot back to be almost perpendicular to the table, I'm still jammed to where I can't hit a proper fh.

The one drill I know for this is from te13 to loop all to the blocker's bh, they block to my bh 60% of the table, and I react correctly to make the right stroke for each ball. Does this seem like a reasonable drill for this problem, or are there others/better?

Since I can't move, trying to build a stroke that takes the ball earlier. My recovery isn't good though that might be the drill speed. Comments welcome (don't worry, I won't defend myself, just looking to see if anything anyone recommends can help).