Why do I suck at Table Tennis?

[PenHoldSandro]

But well, we all suck here if that is any consolation. There's always a ton of ppl better than us unless your name is Ma Long or Fan Zhendong

Fair enough.

Focus 90% of your efforts on serve and receive. The point starts there, not in the topspin counter game.

I mainly focus on consistency during the rally

 

[PenHoldSandro]

did the coach tell you why it is happening?

Not yet, I just got the coach. (only one session so far)

 

[blahness]

Really don't understand comments like this...as if people can't make goals and feel accomplishment because they aren't the literal best player in the world...

What i mean is that it is not a big deal to 'suck' at the game. Ultimately we all are here because we enjoy the game...

 

[haggisv]

No, I got it because of the fact I would rather go toward hitting rather than spinning. (Got it b4 coach)

It's much easier to land the ball on the table when you spin the ball, and you can 'hit' much harder. If you spin the ball it curves downwards which gives you a much higher margin for error, whereas if you hit the ball like you do with short pips, the trajectory is very flat, so you need to be much more accurate to land the ball onto the table. This may well be part of the problem that you're facing.

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

Fact: #1: To me, win or lose makes little meaning to me, as it does not bring in any bacon nor bread to my table. The only thing it does is it stroke my ego a little, perhaps a little Dopamine ( the Happy Hormone ) release to tickle my brain a bit. That is all.

Fact #2: I found a little hack that, whether I win or lose, I will still get that little Dopamine release. How? I simply edit all my best shot in a match and watch it again and again. This little hack guarantee me the same Dopamine release whether I win or lose. Great hack right?

 

[ThePongCommenter]

What i mean is that it is not a big deal to 'suck' at the game. Ultimately we all are here because we enjoy the game...

No, a lot of recreational or amateur players, apparently like OP, see table tennis as a challenge and are in it for the sake of measurable progress, whether that goal is 1500, 1800, 2000, 2500... And it is weird and demeaning to say that anyone who is aspiring for or has reached their goals "suck" just because they aren't Ma Long.

Go tell someone in a club who worked hard for and finally reached their goal that we all still suck compared to ML/FZD and see how well that comment goes over.

 

[blahness]

No, a lot of recreational or amateur players, apparently like OP, see table tennis as a challenge and are in it for the sake of measurable progress, whether that goal is 1500, 1800, 2000, 2500... And it is weird and demeaning to say that anyone who is aspiring for or has reached their goals "suck" just because they aren't Ma Long.

Go tell someone in a club who worked hard for and finally reached their goal that we all still suck compared to ML/FZD and see how well that comment goes over.

My goal was to reassure OP that when he thinks that he sucks, in reality we are all in the same boat.... I think if someone takes a lot of offence to that, they can simply choose not to hear it, or maybe choose to dial down their ego a bit, either works...

 

[Tyce]

Honest advice: stop switching stuff, stop asking dozens of questions, stop internet diving, and use those hours to practice instead.

Switching to jpen (which is pure FH) after playing a decent shakehand BH but sucking at FH is a weird decision.
Sticking on short pips as a beginner, also a strange decision.
You seem to be looking for shortcuts, and taking whimsical decisions. That simply doesn't work in table tennis and it will actually set you back each and every time.

If your coach specializes in penhold, you can learn that with him. If he doesn't, you will probably be better off picking up your shakehand bat and just putting hours in.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Not yet, I just got the coach. (only one session so far)

well, then you don't really have any effect with the coach yet...
did you think 1 session and your problem would be gone?

I suggest ask your coach the same question you asked in the OP
Like to hear the coaches response

 

[PenHoldSandro]

Honest advice: stop switching stuff, stop asking dozens of questions, stop internet diving, and use those hours to practice instead.

I can't practice for hours at a time. I still have school, and homework. That's why I dive through the internet in my free time where I cannot play Table Tennis. If I can, I would. But if I can't, I internet dive.

Switching to jpen (which is pure FH) after playing a decent shakehand BH but sucking at FH is a weird decision.
Sticking on short pips as a beginner, also a strange decision.
You seem to be looking for shortcuts, and taking whimsical decisions. That simply doesn't work in table tennis and it will actually set you back each and every time.

If your coach specializes in penhold, you can learn that with him. If he doesn't, you will probably be better off picking up your shakehand bat and just putting hours in.

I don't look for shortcuts, I just found out how interesting Jpen is. I want to follow that path.

well, then you don't really have any effect with the coach yet...
did you think 1 session and your problem would be gone?

I suggest ask your coach the same question you asked in the OP
Like to hear the coaches response

Ok.

 

[PenHoldSandro]

No, a lot of recreational or amateur players, apparently like OP, see table tennis as a challenge and are in it for the sake of measurable progress, whether that goal is 1500, 1800, 2000, 2500... And it is weird and demeaning to say that anyone who is aspiring for or has reached their goals "suck" just because they aren't Ma Long.

Go tell someone in a club who worked hard for and finally reached their goal that we all still suck compared to ML/FZD and see how well that comment goes over.

I see it more of as a way to relieve stress and yes, as a challenge. I don't want to be some legend in the game. Rather, I would like to be just 'good'.

 

[K.K]

Honest advice: stop switching stuff, stop asking dozens of questions, stop internet diving, and use those hours to practice instead.

i would give same advice. do some hours with your coach (minimum of 10) and just listen to what the coach says ONLY. this person can really see what your mistakes are and give real time advice on how to fix them.

if your not a kid or an beginner equipment doesn't matter as long as you have fun with, stick with it and have a game plan with it (and your coach doesn't advice against it). when you put a ball in the net or the ball pops up, that is mostly an anticipation problem, and you can only solve this by playing. there is no magic trick, you can maybe boost it by the right coach and good drills but it will still happen all the time especially when your opponents are just better than you.
but if there is no one with your level in your club, then try to find another place with people on your level or below to get at least some experience of success to get this mental stuff away

 

[PenHoldSandro]

i would give same advice. do some hours with your coach (minimum of 10) and just listen to what the coach says ONLY. this person can really see what your mistakes are and give real time advice on how to fix them.

if your not a kid or an beginner equipment doesn't matter as long as you have fun with, stick with it and have a game plan with it (and your coach doesn't advice against it). when you put a ball in the net or the ball pops up, that is mostly an anticipation problem, and you can only solve this by playing. there is no magic trick, you can maybe boost it by the right coach and good drills but it will still happen all the time especially when your opponents are just better than you.
but if there is no one with your level in your club, then try to find another place with people on your level or below to get at least some experience of success to get this mental stuff away

But I am a kid and I can't do And 10 hours with my coach is spread out through 5 weeks

 

[vossi39]

K.K. didn't want to imply that the 10 sessions need be done in one week. But it takes time until coaching is visible in your routines. So don't stop after 3 session, because the progress might take a little longer to be visible for you.

 

[PenHoldSandro]

K.K. didn't want to imply that the 10 sessions need be done in one week. But it takes time until coaching is visible in your routines. So don't stop after 3 session, because the progress might take a little longer to be visible for you.

Alright

 

[Amit Mehta]

You will always suck at this game, this game is not meant for you, yield now and live or else find a dishwasher job at the busiest kitchen in your town first; the almost pinnacle of self loathing and if you survive that then nothing can touch you.

- I have spoken.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

lets assume you a beginner and young and have a lot of room to improve and grow.

come back after 20 or 30 hours of coaching and lets see if anything is better
else, I am sure nothing on this thread can help you.

Good luck!

 

[Tyce]

But I am a kid and I can't do And 10 hours with my coach is spread out through 5 weeks

Dude you're bouncing advice back and making excuses for everything pointed out to you.
What is your goal here?

 

[NextLevel]

No, a lot of recreational or amateur players, apparently like OP, see table tennis as a challenge and are in it for the sake of measurable progress, whether that goal is 1500, 1800, 2000, 2500... And it is weird and demeaning to say that anyone who is aspiring for or has reached their goals "suck" just because they aren't Ma Long.

Go tell someone in a club who worked hard for and finally reached their goal that we all still suck compared to ML/FZD and see how well that comment goes over.

It goes over quite well, I make that statement all the time to put things in perspective.

 

[PenHoldSandro]

Dude you're bouncing advice back and making excuses for everything pointed out to you.
What is your goal here?

Oh I am just saying that it's difficult to follow because of some factors, but I would like to thank you for the tips.