Training with a weaker opponent

Hi Pingskills,

What do you recommend for situations when you are practicing/training with a weaker opponent? Normally, to get something out of a practice session, you would play with someone your standard or better, but I am regularly faced with games and practice sessions with a weaker opponent. 

In game situations, what do you recommend doing to ensure I get something out of the session? As far as I can see, I can only work on the things that are in my control such as my serve. What do you think? Perhaps having an uncertain/unpredictable return is a good thing? What do you think?

Hi Simon,

This is a common issue for players.  I think there are definitely things that you can focus on during these times.  IF you are working on a particular stroke, try to set that stroke up as many times as possible during a match.  If you are working on the Backhand topspin then play the ball to a position where they are likely to return it to your backhand.  During the game focus on the stroke.

If your opponent is willing you can even alter the rules of the game.  YOu may get them to play anywhere on the table whereas you are only allowed to play to one half.  Alternately you can try to only play forehands from anywhere on the table while they are allowed to do anything.  Or if it is your backhand that you are working on,, you are only allowed to play backhands when the ball is in the backhand half of your table.

In drills try to practice things that they can cope with.  Again you can do this by restricting the area that you are playing to or by the types f strokes that you are playing.  If you are doing a footwork drill you may only want to use counterhits rather than topspins.

It can be frustrating but there are lots of ways you can make practice with a weaker opponent worthwhile.