OOAK Table Tennis Forum

Hey guys, it's been too long!

Apologies for not posting more frequently. I've been super busy with my online coaching and it's unfortunately reduced the amount of time I have to focus on table tennis

Anyway, I'm always pouring over the latest strength and conditioning research in hopes of turning up something useful for my clients and the forthcoming 2nd edition of The Table Tennis Player's Guide to Health and Fitness (see sig), and recently I came across an interesting new study. Here's a link to the abstract:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1 ... 16.1172727

In this study, they tested two different correction strategies for improving technique on the snatch (a highly technical Olympic lift). They compared the traditional method of error correction (point out the error in technique and then tell the athlete how to correct the error) with a method called "method of amplification of error" (MAE).

In the MAE technique, rather than attempting to avoid the mistake in technique, you modify your technique to AMPLIFY the error. This is only done temporarily so you obtain a better awareness for what the improper technique feels like.

Interesting, this study found the MAE technique produced superior results to the traditional model of error correction after only a single coaching session. Furthermore, the improved technique was still evident a week later.

Kind of challenges the idea of "perfect practice."

I'd be interested to hear if any of you have tried something like the MAE approach in correcting your table tennis technique? I'm definitely going to give it a try and see if it helps

Here's how you might implement it:

1. Have a coach/partner identify an error in your technique
2. Modify your technique to exaggerate the error and perform a few strokes to get a feel for it
3. "Reset" and attempt to hit the ball with proper technique once more
4. Alternate between 2 and 3 as needed to build awareness and understand the difference between the two extremes

Anyone willing to give it a shot?

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Sure why not?

How do I amplify being too passive with a backhand shot?

I think this might make more sense with footwork for me.

Yes, I think this applies more directly to execution of technique rather than mindset/strategy

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Nice post Kev. I'm currently helping a beginner player at our club. For him having quite poor technique already, I don't think at this point your suggestion is applicable as he's already doing bad shots in an exaggerated manner. I do think that once he's developed a shell of decent technique it is then worth going back and getting him to do his old shot then followed by what we are working on.

The other thing I try and do for a beginner is completely exaggerate the correct change. For example if wanting someone to lean forward over the table more rather than be on their heels, get them to lean right over. If someone currently swings too flat across their chest, get them to swing upwards with the bat ending up near the roof. Rotation is another one. If someone lacks rotation which is common in beginners, get them to twist around as far as they can. My idea of this is to show them both extremes and lose the constraints they currently have. Often people think they are already rotating, swinging high etc so by saying higher or more, they might only change in fractions which although might feel a big change is not nearly enough. By showing the extremes it can break those shackles of sorts and allow them to settle somewhere in the middle.

Congratulations on the book and website too, very professional, well done !

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Welcome back Joo Se Kev

I think that's a very clever concept, and I can see the logic in it too. Just explaining a concept to someone often falls of deaf ears... but if you can get someone to experience the concept by exaggerating it, people will remember.

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This is common learning procedure in golf.

We must learn and replicate either parachute and heavy slice ball

And table tennis help me greatly in golf

Sent from my i5E using Tapatalk

Oh, you bring up an excellent point! I failed to mention that in the study the lifters were fairly advanced. This isn't to say that it can't work with beginners, but as you say, if they're doing so many things wrong simultaneously, it may be tough to apply.

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Thanks

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