Help me imrove my play :)

Hello guys, i am a young player from slovakia ..... but i started playing late :( anyways i know i woulnd't be able to replace those missing youth years but i enjoy the game a lot nevertheless, and i want to be the best i can. Through summer i am playing 4-5 times a week 2 to 3 hours sessions. 

Edited by huri - 08/16/2014 at 3:38pm

Ok, here goes.

Serves (I always start with serves): At this level you are getting away with mostly deep serves that have a lot of spin but aren't particularly fast. They are also not really low over the net, making the job of returning them easier. When you start moving up this will have to change, the deep slow serves will all be attacked at higher levels and would put you immediately on the defensive. High level play is 1. short servers 2. serves that may or may not double bounce and 3. very fast deep serves.

Forehand: I like it, your best shot. You also are playing at a good depth in the court, most of your opponents are retreating from the table too fast and seem happy to retrieve or try and counter-spin.

Backhand: Overall a good shot, I like how you try and attack the serve directly with it. I agree with BMonkey, you have some extra motion that doesn't really help the shot and will be a problem if you are rushed. Look at how you are using your arm and shoulder, they should be an anchor for the wrist/elbow, but they are moving all over the place.

One more thing, compare how upright you look compared to the top players. You have good leg strength, try being a little lower with your feet a bit wider apart.

Overall, there is more good than bad. And keep practicing both serves and return of serve, most points are won there.

jfolsen

1) For the BH stroke... the elbow is the pivot and should not be moving much at all... in your shots you are using the shoulder as the pivot and the elbow was even at head height in a shot (1st video) between 1:10 and 1:16 - try to pause exactly on 1:14.