Footwork, moving the wrong distance

Table Tennis Footwork

Last updated 8 years ago

Steve Smith

Steve Smith Asked 8 years ago

Hi Alois,

I am a recent premium member and have been working through your 52 week training plan, doing the first footwork drill I have realised that I cant seem to move the correct amount and get into the ideal position, this problem has been masked from me previously because I can play effectively from full straight arm to wrist on waist on both wings (bad technique I know), now I am learning correct forehand technique and footwork together I now realise my problem.

I have tried your suggestion to slow it down, and used a robot to give balls at a slow feed in the same places left and right, I either move too far or not enough, even though I know exactly where the ball is going I never seem to be in the right place, this was mentioned to me last year at a county (state) match, where another player said that it looked like I deliberately moved out of position before I played every shot, I took no notice at the time (i was winning anyway)

Do you have any advice?


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario Answered 8 years ago

Hi Steve,

I am glad that you are into the 52 week training plan.

Regarding you footwork, I would say keep doing the regular footwork drills slowly where you know the position of the ball.  You will start to get the feel of the positioning the more you do it.  Try to keep the movements simple and the same with a simple jump with both feet each time.  It is a very precise movement that will take time to get just right.

As a Premium member, I would be happy to get a video of you doing the movements and take a look and offer some feedback.


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