OOAK Table Tennis Forum

The correct warm-up play is a learned skill. Many of the people I play cannot actually do it; ie, they cannot reliably hit FH to FH or other shots, so the rallies are very short, or they deteriorate quickly into effectively point play.

Maybe coaches should teach the basics, but even then, many lower league players are a little dismissive of coaching.

In my dotage, I am becoming just much more accepting of these things, and don't let it bother me. For warming up, I find it best to arrive in good time, and get some good play in before the match starts.

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Other setups:
SDC Custom Blade/Butterfly Dignics 80/Butterfly Glayzer
BTY Viscaria/Tibhar K3/Tibhar K3

1) Warm up properly before your league match / tournament with a like minded player where you can practice your pre-match routine (FH-FH, BH-BH is a pretty poor warm up anyway!). I imagine top international do their drills before coming out to play. Make an opportunity to do the same.

2) The warm up before the game is for you, do what you like - don't hit FH-FH, BH-BH in middle of the table half paced, you'll end up playing the match like that and get smashed! Go for the white lines in the warm up, vary spin. If you miss and your opponent doesn't get a hit...so? He can ask for a couple more rallies (unless you get an official umpire!). I like to pivot and play FH then BH from same spot, at least I get some movement going on.

3) The pre-game warm up is a really poor warm up, accept that, do your work before hand, and just use it to loosen up, make sure the ball is ok....you are probably as well playing air shots / practicing footwork (then picking up the ball that has been smashed past you!).

4) The guy smashing the ball as hard as he can - that's fair enough - it's his warm up too! I agree, I'd just start the match as quick as possible, or just go off table and do some excesses...he can drop and hit the ball on his own.

5) It's all a bit fake anyway - you don't show your serves, pips players don't use them in the warm up....just decide what you want to get out of it, have a routine for a player that toes the line and one for those that don't...certainly don't let the opponent wind you up - probably not a great frame of mind to be in before a game....even if you think it's motivating you to beat him...that can cloud your thinking on tactics.

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Match set up: Nittaku Violin, JP01T, JP03