Training for Consistency
Training
Frank La Luna Asked 2 months ago
Good Morning,
Currently, I play at a community center with senior citizens. The other players are older than I am but they are so much better than me. Sometimes I can give them a decent game but most of the time I lose. One thing I noticed in the difference between their game and mine is that they are very consistent in returning the ball in play (I would say about 90% of the time). It doesn’t matter if I play offensively or defensively, I just don’t hit it back as consistently as they do (about 40%). How can I become as consistent as them?
Regards,
Frank
Alois Rosario Answered 1 month ago
Hi Frank,
Great to hear that you are playing regularly and have found some better players to play with.
To become as consistent as the senior players, focus on three things:
-
Slow down.
Don’t try to win points fast. Aim to place the ball on the table safely. -
Repeat the basics.
Pick one shot, like the forehand or backhand drive, and practise it many times.
Keep the same swing, same contact point, and same timing. -
Aim for height and control.
Hit the ball a little higher over the net. This gives you more margin for error and increases your success rate.
If you train regularly with simple, controlled drills, your consistency will rise quickly.
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I've also struggled with consistency and here are some of the things that I've done to improve it. I have improved by doing these things, but I can still get better, so I continue to work on them.
-Work on improving your forehand to backhand transitions. Keep your bat in front and above the table between shots. Use compact strokes. Run drills, both regular and random drills, that go between the forehand and backhand. A good drill is the block to random drill where one player blocks to anywhere on the table.
-Track the ball better to give yourself more time to hit the stroke.
-Learn to block. Sometimes you just don't have time to hit a full stroke so learn to block balls back onto the table. Run the same drills that you use for forehand to backhand transitions but hit blocks instead of full strokes or alternate between blocks and full strokes.
-Don't stand too close to the table. If you're too close, you won't have time to hit your shots.
-Move your feet and keep a low stance if possible.
Great advice as always Rick. Good to see you in this fantastic Australian coaching site!
Frank La Luna Posted 1 month ago
Thank you all for your input. One of my problems is that I don’t always move my feet. Which I am trying to work on. What’s also is confusing is, when I’m practicing, one opponent will tell me to hit the ball harder. Then the next opponent will tell me to not hit it as hard and hit the ball lower. Both players are a lot better than I am and they are very consistent at returning the ball. I’m trying to be as consistent as they are. Both players are also are not agile (they are stationary square to the table). I’m trying to take all the advice in but I’m not sure if I should just try to play the way Alois said or play the way my opponent wants.
Hi Frank,
Initially work on the consistency however, also make sure you are staying aware and adjusting to the needs of each ball. No two balls are the same and no two situations are the same so work on making good decisions for each ball.