In theory, the gap is just so small and we can all become pros tomorrow if we can swing the bat faster, isn't it?
But we tend to forget, the ball will come back faster and your "high rotation" will also come back higher too.
Until, you are in that level, I actually don't feel it is necessary to even talk about high rotation of the ball.
Normally, coaches ask for consistency. If you can't hit 20 or 30 shots on, what is the use of 1 high "PRO" level shot, but you get 1 out of 3 on?
or the ball comes back, and your chance of getting the ball on drops another 10~90%?
Table tennis cannot be compared to a pitcher or a golfer, who can just swing the club/arm and generate everything from a stand still.
I mean, if you can't even move body correctly, or step correctly to generate the right body weight to life the ball up, talking about swinging the bat properly, is like trying to run before you can even craw.
When I coached non system trained players, I find it that they all want to swing harder and faster - this is very normal.
I need to undo they minds and tell them this:
1) if you can't get your feet there, you can't get your body there
2) if you can't get your body there, you can't get your arm there
3) if you can't get the above there, you are in no position to execute that stroke correctly
4) if you can't execute that stroke properly, you have little to no control over that stroke
5) and then you ask, why the ball some times goes in, and some times it doesn't.
One of our top high level players coming in (for grade 10), has a very good forehand.
She moves well, but she is too parallel to the ball (her legs) and she rallies too much on her arm. So in high power rallies, she is always on the loosing side when she needs to make more than 3 hits.
In training mode, she can get there in time (despite the wrong foot position), but in open play and her fundamental flaws shows.
This is how pro players weaknesses get exposed and how opposition teams work out game plans.
We saw this issue, and will need to change her over time. And obviously the player at first won't understand the problem - since she is on the higher part of the average in terms of results, and has done well in the 8 years prior (she used that power to over power her opponents), but the older you get, the bigger your fundamental flaws you have, the easier it will be exposed to when the rallies become faster and spinner.
So if I am the opposition coach, I would say, don't even attack her, let her attack you and just block 5 to 10 balls on and she will eventually be late on her shot and hit the ball off.
Other than her flaws in movement, her arm only action will also lead to injuries.
So the head coach on the 1st week actually told her - don't hit so hard, reduce your power,
So yeah, I think this apply to all.
You can't just hit harder or swing the bat faster. In theory, you also need to beware of injuries too!
