Footwork or Balance?

Posted by Alois Rosario on November 21st, 2007

clarke-plumb2_large.jpg
Jeff Plumb - Head and body
perfectly balanced for a short forehand return
Photo courtesy of ITTF

“Come On!!! MOVE!!!!” How often have you heard that in a table tennis hall either by players berating themselves or their coaches doing it for them?

Moving for the sake of moving is not the answer.

In Table Tennis we always talk about footwork. We also need to put focus on balance. The question is where to and how? Sometimes the problem may be that we are actually moving too much especially with our upper body.

Have a look at the best players in the world. Watch how steady they remain with their upper bodies and head. Listen to sportspeople from any sport and they will tell you that keeping your head steady is essential. It is even more so in table tennis because we need to be able to watch a ball travelling at 180km/hour. How are we supposed to do that with our head jerking all over the place?

Why do we need footwork?
To make sure we get to a balanced position to hit the ball effectively. To hit the ball effectively we need to be balanced.

So, should we be yelling “Come On!!!! STAY BALANCED!!!!!”

Give us your ideas.

Coming soon to the Lessons Page on this website will be a Lesson on Footwork.

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4 comments so far

  1. destr0yer

    commented on November 22nd, 2007 at 1:46 pm

    but it doesn’t matter how balanced you are if you can’t even touch the ball because you haven’t MOVED to it!!!

  2. Jeff Plumb

    commented on November 22nd, 2007 at 8:39 pm

    That is true destr0yer, however the point of the blog is to get you thinking about getting to a balanced position when moving. This will allow you to hit an effective shot. All the top players in the world keep their heads an upper bodies as steady as possible.

  3. Alois Rosario

    commented on March 9th, 2008 at 8:38 pm

    Being balanced actually helps you to move as well.

  4. Figgie

    commented on March 22nd, 2008 at 4:01 am

    Jeff,

    You are 100% correct.

    It does a player no good to have fabulous footwork if you are completely out of balnace for the next shot that will eventually will come back (especially at your level). Balance and footwork must go hand in hand. It does for every sport and table tennis is no exception.

    Boxing, foot worked AND balanced. The minute they lose balance is when they get a barrage of fists coming their way.

    Basketball. Balance and footwork, they lose balance and the opponent is running past him at that time.

    Football, Same as basketball.

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