Having set myself the task of finally writing about tactics, I’m suddenly filled with self-doubt. How do I know the advice I'm about to proffer are general enough to be useful to all kinds of players - be they of the Chinese style, European style, or of big, medium or small stature? The fact is I cannot be totally sure because being all those at the same time is physically impossible, but after pondering some real-life experiences and profiles, I think some fixed concepts can be shared:
1. Not knowing how to end a point
This issue stems from indecision, misjudgement and a lack of understanding of the mechanics of table tennis. Some kinetic energies are simply too great to be passively blocked by an out-of-position opponent. Conversely “ending a point” might mean an unconventional flicking shot whose energy is unexpectedly small / weak, causing the opponent to err. You need to know to decisively execute the extra energy transfer or energy change, to win the current point or the next one.
2. Overreliance on a single winning stroke
This might seem like a warning for amateur players only but complacency only ends when one is constantly challenged by “high hands”, a situation not many easily find themselves in. And so you see an example of this player launching seemingly robust offensives against other mediocre players, only to be soundly defeated when their “signature” winning stroke, such as the backhand slap, is neutralised by someone who is quite pro. When that happens, one likely enters an open rally where the predictable single act succumbs to a series of unpredictable counterattacks.
3. Possessing a flawed system (of massive loss avoidance instead of victory-seeking)
This pitfall I recognized soon after a fairly tight game with a player who struck me as being traumatised into being sufficiently good rather than being actually good. Yes, he started out in the realm of the 11-0s. His serves have the very precise quality of being unattackable, his third balls tend to be precise and well-practised, and his top spins are fast and hazy enough to trip up opponents. But that’s all; high-speed attacks and active defense are non-existent. He has a system to beat only mediocre players and which comforts rather than facilitates improvement; even if a skilled modern player who is typically offensive matched with this player, their errors would bring the scoreline to something like 11-2. The dreaded 11-0 is avoided but a system like that - designed for massive loss avoidance - is locked outside victory because it does not seek it. That is a fundamental flaw, a pitfall that should be more commonly recognized and avoided.
4. Not knowing to change / improve one's racket
This pitfall can be divided into two categories. The first is when one is too stingy to change one's old and degraded rubber, and the second is when one's game circle is too small for one to realise one's setup isn't all that great or versatile. Perhaps most of one's club members aren't skilled enough to pose a threat even with their newer racket setups. Or the usual people one plays with at the club aren't challenging enough to prompt the discovery of better setups that suit one's playing strengths better - against a broader range of styles that exists out in the wider arena.
5. Neglecting physical strength and agility
Quick body movement plays such an important role in table tennis that the muscles responsible for strong impulse generation need to be well-developed. The legs have to be limber for step-arounds, especially within the rapid fire of the first 3 balls which are so crucial in the modern game. It would help that one's overall body weight is kept in check, for increased agility.
No comments:
Post a Comment