Breaking Longstanding Bad Footwork Habits

I am in my early '50's, with an old injury to my right knee.

I switched to long pimples on b/h some years ago, in order to slow the game down, through chopping the ball.

I find that has given me an edge in my game, as long as I don't move too far from the table, and has reduced the pressure on my footwork.

Good footwork is the key to good Table Tennis. Your video is well explained and undoubtedly it will help the coaches to improve the footwork of the trainees. Yes, it will take time but once it comes into natural flow, the game will improve.

Thanks & regards. 

I really liked the tip to think about moving your legs first THEN the stroke... Simple but effective... Thanks

I think this is very good, but my game is mostly played as doubles. how can you move across the table like this and not get in your partners way?

You both have to move together to stay out of each others way.

I noticed Jeff's right foot turned fully parallel to the table end line when the pace was increased and skitter (like a bar is between knees) vs shufle (left moving fully to right then right to right) step was done.  I thought the right foot was to be half a foot further back than the left (right-hander) and nearly perpendicular to the table end line.  If parallel, seems to put more stress on right inside knee but I see this right foot position in lots of top level video play.  What is the reason?

Ron

Hi Ronald,

The jump is more efficient.  Being square on allows you to play both forehand and backhand.  The game is getting too fast to turn your legs between shots too much.

How can I beat a player with a fantom rubber?

This poses a problem with footwork because you need to be able to move in and out well because the ball stops with the Long pimples.

We have a lesson in our Match Strategy lesson on Playing Against Long Pimples.

Very good video answer! I have the same problem and i'm a junior... But Alois, in match situation you don't always get time to move your feet and then your arm because it is very fast. Shouldn't you make your backswing WHILE moving?

Yes you can get your bat into the ready position as you move.  This will give you more time to play the shot when you get into position.

Can it be, Alois, that we older players tend to stand erect rather than bend down with feet well spread out and hence experience difficulty in moving correctly and in time? This often results in getting ourselves hopelessly locked up. Since I am practicing footwork with my partner/trainer, I find bending down helps quite a lot and we can easily complete the semi-circle around the table. By the way, my next tourney is on 26/7 August. Let's see how I fare this time. Your video like all your explanations is of invaluable assistance in improving one's game. Thanks. 

The knee bend does make a big difference to movement.

Good luck with the next tournament.

I am 42.

I hadn't  entered any table tennis club before i started 6 months ago. 

Like a lot of people who play well in the local hall and imagine that they can won some real championships. I boldly told the club coach that i would like to join his team. He was so practical and answered look there to these two players. If you are as good as they I would accept you.they refused to play with me after playing some counter hits. Finally they called a 10 year player to try me.I beat him something like 17-15in a one set game .when he could not convince me that there was no chance he called another 17-year player. He beat me easily  3 sets to 1 .he impatiently and decisively pointed out that it was enough.when I went sadly to change my clothes, the player asked me what club I play fori realised that i can be like those club players one day. I didn't give up and continued my adventure.

@Ahmad Anter... I'm 52, started about 6 months ago... Thanks for the inspiration

Hi Abdusalam

very happy to hear from you , my coleague did you start table tennis or going to clubs , 6 months?

@Ahmad... I start playing table tennis. I haven't approached a club yet.

Abdulsalam great I hope you find your way to improve your game.By the way this website is wonderful and can give you tons of useful information.

Thank you, coaches! Very helpfull and  usefull information,video. 

great info thanks!

Thanks Linda.

It is a great video and very helpful. I'd also love to see one moving from side to side for backhand and forehand where your feet (hopefully I know this much :)) are a bit different.

thanks

Mick

Hi Michael,

Thanks.  Glad you liked it.  We do show this drill in our Training Secrets lessons.  They are Premium so maybe down the track this is something that you can watch.

Great explanation. I always move my hand towards the ball first. From today I shall try to move legs first as described in the video. 

thanks very useful

It seems that Jeff always initiates with his right foot;  whether he is moving left or right.  Am I seeing things?

Hi Richard,

Yes he does.  This is just a preference and a balancing up before movement.  I tend to initiate with my leading foot.