OOAK Table Tennis Forum

I don't know if it's the same in your club, but I think it's much less common for clubs or individuals to have proper training sessions, and as a result, the level drops. Most players seem more interested in playing games, and I must admit I find that much more enjoyable as well, especailly since I can usually only fit in one extra day of play in addition the competition

I had a 'practice' session with strongpong yesterday, and he suggested we could change it a little to make it better practice. We changed it so that you could only win points on your serves, and if you won the point you continued serving.
I found this to be very effective for both serving practice as well as returning practice, both vitally important parts of the game, where practice time is usually well spent. Because we're both quite dominant on our serves, it resulted in being able to serve (and receive) many times in a row. I certainly felt I was serving better after a few games, and it really improved my focus in returning as well, as strongpong's serves can be hard to pick.

If you have players in your club that you like to practice with, and they're not that keen on proper practice sessions, I think you'll find that they'll be much more open to the idea of making it into a game like this. Although there is not substitute for proper practice sessions (as long as they're done right), I think this can be a very good compromise.

Have you come up with any good variations to game, to turn them into decent practice sessions? I'd love to hear some other ideas!

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There is a game coaches use, where you have to keep the ball short, if the opposition player thinks the ball isn't going to double bounce he can leave it drop off the table to win the point. There's tons of other games they train kids with each relating to a specific skill. There's games that deal with flipping/flicking serves where you loose the point if you push the ball. Or its only point on free for all after one of the players fails at the set skill.. Etc. and even kids half my rating whip me in all these games... All day all the time. It doesn't translate into match winning in the short term because there's no thinking involved only reactions to what they see but I'm sure eventually having those skills helps a lot. I prefer to just hit multi ball or play points with pockets of balls because I'm trying to jam maximum hitting into the limited times I find somewhere to hit.

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If you want to improve footwork and looping just do the backhand, middle,backhand forehand drill. Especially that last forehand needs some good footwork.
Another easy drill is to serve short and have the opponent push in either corner. Loop parallel to start the point. Don't play the rally in the beginning, just get in the rhythm. After that start playing rallies.

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I seldom play games unless there are challengers on the table. Mostly, I play serve, receive and continue play, each takes turn to serve, say every 15 minutes or so. This way, I have the maximum stroke practice time, learning how to react to different serves and practice using LP forehand too.

I found it fun playing like this, the good thing is there are many players who are willing to practice with me this way. They say it is very challenging and beneficial to play against me, they have a good work out and they have to think not to push any balls back to me.

An interesting way to play a game I tried with a teammate was to call a let on any net or edge that occurred so luck plays no part in any point won. It changes the game subtly but considerably.

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I'm always in the dark, but the Dark sheds lights upon everything!! Beauty is only pimple deep! Beauty is in the eye of the pipholder!
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Thanks haggisv and foam for these GREAT ideas! My group's training will be more stimulating now!

National champion players have told me you should be able to return a lot of those net and edge balls if
you never give up, are determined and focused.

I think it would also be valuable to play games where you
reward the player who returns a net or edge ball instead of starting the point over.
Maybe if he wins the point after returning a net or edge he gets 2 points. If he looses it then it's scored as a regular 1 point.


Sometimes the skill (which means not thinking of it as luck) of returning a net or edge wins you the match.

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With non-advanced kids (who can lack focus and sustained discipline) I will often organise Top Table games with a theme. For example, BH to BH counterhit games - flat/topspin serves and if the ball goes into the FH court the point is lost. Their desire to win frequently leads to greater concentration and effort.

With beginner-intermediate adults - who can usually only get to play games at the club - I often recommend they asked their opponent to start off with at least one 'pushing only' game before they launch into regular games.

It is true that many of those balls can be returned and its a good idea to turn the focus onto them for some practice. My teammate has a very negative attitude toward nets and edges though, so restarting points on them can also lead to more positive outcomes as it takes the focus off them and onto the real game skills.

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I'm always in the dark, but the Dark sheds lights upon everything!! Beauty is only pimple deep! Beauty is in the eye of the pipholder!
S/U 1: Blade: Bty Gergely . FH Black Andro Rasant 2.1 . BH Red Tibhar Grass Dtecs
S/U 2: Blade: Bty Gergely . FH Black Hexer+ 2.1 . BH Red GD Talon
S/U 3: Blade: Bty Gergely . No rubbers...thinking of adding Red Dtecs and Black Rasant
Aussie Table Tennis Shop / Aussie Table Tennis Facebook Page / Equipment Review Index / Read my Reb Report Blog: click here.

whenever I play games at a social session I'll try to focus on a few things like footwork for short balls (in/out movement), backhand flick topspin and serving for example.

It helps to be pressured in a game environment and still working on using what you learned in drills.

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