[Video] vs. my training partner

Skyline wrote: IMHO you guys are trying to copy pro players too much!

I would work on incorporating returning with the backhand and backhand loop. 

player87 wrote: I am a bit surprised with comments in similar topic of another forum member. I am not sure about the US rating system. But his game is way worse than onhgourami and people are talking about 1700 Rating and consistency in his shots and loops. If I didn't watch the video and just read comments I would think he is a really strong player.

icontek wrote: I am super confused. Can he block or not block? I don't recall your training partner blocking much in the match? Is it because you didn't hit the ball to him?  Or because he failed to move to the ball? I am confused. And disregard fruit loops comments about what you want from a blocking partner. You want someone with a solid enough block that they can "clean up the ball" and provide you with the same shot to repeat again and again until you can develop consistency. You don't want them varying speed and spin and throwing off your timing/learning process. This little story reminds me of the last time I had the chance to hit with a  "great blocker" where I could practice re-looping (i think i made it as far as 6-8 times in a row, i don't think i had the consistency to do ten). It was a 1900+ player who had very good control. And don't get me wrong, the guy can certainly rip the ball, but he also happens to have the consistency and control to place good ball after good ball. I figured it made more sense for me to ask him to practice something specific than to play a game. Playing a game is a waste of his time; at least blocking my loops, he gets to practice his control against erratic amounts of spin.

He can block by landing it on the table but he can't give a consistent block.  No rhythm.  And it's not like I do not give a consistent loop.

He doesn't block much in this match because I don't give him the chance to block.  Either end the point at short game, play his fh, or give lots of spin to his bh - none of which he is comfortable with.

A training tip is, get a really slow setup and play with it. Your opening shot will not win you the point, and you will get to work on footwork and rallies in game. 

you should both switch to slower equipment, as I said in previous comment, which will force you to develop better shots and use of body, also points will last longer so you can practice various loops, blocks, hits...

That's a good advice, It's a bit like me trying to dance and going straight for swan lake lol, realistically I could manage the twist and still have fun :).

instead of making excuses one must recognise, admit then act accordingly. Asking for help with the mind to learn is at the utmost importance. Otherwise you will not learn anything.

My opinions
For training partners: as mentioned by icontek and several others, you need someone that is at a higher level than you or is a least a good blocker.  Progression is difficult/ slower with someone at your level unless you have a coach to work with you and your training partner.  If you don't have the luxury of finding a player of a higher level to work with, you need to focus on other aspects of the drill.

Training:   When training and your partner is not very good at blocking, take the opportunity to focus on your anticipation and footwork.  I do not feel that a person should believe/ feel entitled to the ball landing in the same spot every time.  By that I mean, a person shouldn't get frustrated when someone can't block to the FH corner when doing cross court counter hits or loops when warming up, or the ball doesn't land on the lines when doing a 3 point footwork drill. 

Although when training it would be ideal that the ball goes where it's supposed to, and the ball certainly does go where its supposed to when training with higher rated players, however unless you are fortunate enough to train with someone of a higher level or with a coach, training is rarely "ideal."  Ball usually isn't blocked perfectly, and sometimes the spin isn't what you want it to be.

My point is: the mentality that should be taken in training is to focus on getting to every ball, not expecting the ball to come to you.

I will now get off my soap-box.  Thanks for reading.


Edited by Jeff(ATTC) - 04/27/2011 at 4:16pm

I still would say you play with no vigor in your game, you don't seem to play with any energy, same goes for your partner.  And, there's really no soft way of putting this, but your opponent has extremely illegal serves.  No umpire with a conscience and any allegiance to the rule book would let any of those fly.

Edited by Carbon TT - 04/27/2011 at 7:22pm

ituning.technology wrote: qynthnghm wrote: If you want to play like the Chinese, you should train like them. And before you miss the point again, I don't mean copy them. I was just giving my opinion too. there is no harm in dreaming high.

I think what he was saying is that if you spend like a millionaire without having the investments to back it up that you will be bankrupt or worse.

Because in sport or finance, success may begin with a dream, but without realistic goals and the plans to achieve them, your dreams will remain not just elusive... but illusive as well.

winning TT game is about keeping the ball on the table