Predicting the landing of the ball
Strokes and Technique
Kristian Stoyanov Asked 8 years ago
Hello, my friend, who is also coaching me to play table tennis, told me that my reactions are always late and that I start moving when the ball has already landed or is near landing, and he is even wondering how I am not able to predict the movement (maybe because it comes naturally to him, since he has played much much more than I have). I just can't find the time to calculate where the ball will land. And when I am looking at someone else playing I can predict pretty much every ball, but that's probably because of the 3rd person prespective. When I am in a game I just can't do it. I am tracking the ball but can't predict where it will land and how it will bounce. Because of that I often have to wait out the ball to go outside of the table and go with a forehand/backhand topspin instead of just smashing the ball when it's still over the table. I am not sure if I explained it properly but hopefully you get what I am trying to say. So if you have any advice for my situation I would be really grateful.
Alois Rosario Answered 8 years ago
Hi Kristian,
Take a look at the lesson on Improving Your Reflexes. I think this is the key. You talk about watching the ball. This is definitely one of the keys but watch the video and see what else you can get out of it.
Thoughts on this question
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martinand bernard Posted 8 years ago
the key I thing, watch the blade when the player is shooting and then track the ball, it's a little difficult, only the ball is not good, you don't see the direction and effect
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 8 years ago
I think it is too difficult to switch your focus from the bat to the ball. The game is too fast.
martinand bernard Posted 8 years ago
no it's possible if you don't see where the other player is going to play, it's too late to move.
martinand bernard Posted 8 years ago
you don't agree with me?
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 8 years ago
@martinand on this topic I think it's best to watch the ball only. As you do this you will see the angle of your bat with your peripheral vision. It's too hard to switch from the ball to the other player's bat and then back to the ball.
martinand bernard Posted 8 years ago
coach in france tell " prise d'information" what the other player is going to do just before play, chinese coach say that too!!!
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 8 years ago
@martinand - yes that is good advice but you get that through your peripheral vision. You must watch the ball the whole time.
martinand bernard Posted 8 years ago
ok thanks