A weird question relating to muscle memory

[schrodingerskoalabear]

I have a weird question. Whenever, I train single shot sequences (third-balls, multi ball pushes into loops, etc.), I am generally intentional to the point I do feel like I am thinking very briefly during my shots.

The other day I trained some patterns, especially FH 3rd ball open up - opp blocks - I hit FH topspin shot for the winner. Now it was a very successful drill though I felt weird I could barely remember just blasting the blocked shot. All I knew was that my consistency was great.

I guess my weird question is, that is how it goes right? We are not supposed to be thinking during the rally, just reacting based on patterns right?

 

[lodro]

I have a weird question. Whenever, I train single shot sequences (third-balls, multi ball pushes into loops, etc.), I am generally intentional to the point I do feel like I am thinking very briefly during my shots.

The other day I trained some patterns, especially FH 3rd ball open up - opp blocks - I hit FH topspin shot for the winner. Now it was a very successful drill though I felt weird I could barely remember just blasting the blocked shot. All I knew was that my consistency was great.

I guess my weird question is, that is how it goes right? We are not supposed to be thinking during the rally, just reacting based on patterns right?

Eyes - brain - muscles ...........
If it is a repetitive pattern there are still some cognitive aspects involved but I would not call them "thinking". I use my eyes for observing the opposition so i can react to the changes he/she invariably makes.

 

[Lazer]

I have a weird question. Whenever, I train single shot sequences (third-balls, multi ball pushes into loops, etc.), I am generally intentional to the point I do feel like I am thinking very briefly during my shots.

The other day I trained some patterns, especially FH 3rd ball open up - opp blocks - I hit FH topspin shot for the winner. Now it was a very successful drill though I felt weird I could barely remember just blasting the blocked shot. All I knew was that my consistency was great.

I guess my weird question is, that is how it goes right? We are not supposed to be thinking during the rally, just reacting based on patterns right?

Both, I think the best way is when you can think and not just always react instinctively…
Often there is not time though and then it’s better to have a good instinct…

Cheers
L-zr

 

[Jslick89]

Both, I think the best way is when you can think and not just always react instinctively…
Often there is not time though and then it’s better to have a good instinct…

Cheers
L-zr

agreed. In a perfect world you're executing your own game plan. However, you are playing against a real opponent so often times, you will be reacting. Train your reactions. Train your tactics. That's how you raise your floor and your ceiling.

 

[Dr Evil]

We are not supposed to be thinking during the rally, just reacting based on patterns right?

There's no time for conscious deliberation, but you should be consciously directing your attention to cues that let you anticipate what's about to happen. Opponent's posture, body tension, blade angle, swing plane, contact point, ball trajectory, bounce, etc. You might sometimes think single words or phrases to yourself. If you tend to drop your hands like I do then you might think 'hands up' in mid-rally. If you play tense or even hold your breath you might think 'breathe.' If your opponent starts backing off the table you might think 'back, wide' to prime yourself to go for wide angles. But anything more than that is too much and will slow you down.

 

[latej]

I guess my weird question is, that is how it goes right? We are not supposed to be thinking during the rally, just reacting based on patterns right?

Thinking during the rally doesn't work, at least for me. And most often, any form of explicit thinking, like a clear idea that comes into the mind, like, "oh, now I have more time, I'll put more power and go cross-court" usually leads to miss-hit. Miss-hit a ball which you easily normally play well...

But it's not easy to stop the brain from thinking, and you know, enter the "flow", at wish/will ;-) And so what works for me is focusing on something else, and letting it be more important than the score. E.g. focusing on movement, like you verify you moved after each hit, and try to think only about this and nothing else. This is not full flow, but a trick on the brain, so that at least some part is working unconsciously ;-) And usually the other parts of the game work better that way...

I could equally well be thinking about (and verifying): do I stand wide? after each hit. Or you could think, is my elbow close to the body? (and verifying). And trying that this is the only one thing you think about... Cheers.

 

[lodro]

Overall don't worry too much about the thinking , as you will get older your brain
will slow down anyway and you will be able to play a decent game of ping pong with a constant grin on your face.
Enjoy

 

[schrodingerskoalabear]

There's no time for conscious deliberation, but you should be consciously directing your attention to cues that let you anticipate what's about to happen. Opponent's posture, body tension, blade angle, swing plane, contact point, ball trajectory, bounce, etc. You might sometimes think single words or phrases to yourself. If you tend to drop your hands like I do then you might think 'hands up' in mid-rally. If you play tense or even hold your breath you might think 'breathe.' If your opponent starts backing off the table you might think 'back, wide' to prime yourself to go for wide angles. But anything more than that is too much and will slow you down.

This is very useful., thank you.

Yes, I do drop my hands during the rally AND stop breathing lol!

 

[schrodingerskoalabear]

agreed. In a perfect world you're executing your own game plan. However, you are playing against a real opponent so often times, you will be reacting. Train your reactions. Train your tactics. That's how you raise your floor and your ceiling.

Yeah I am trying to train so I can react more. The only part where I am training to allow thinking on either technique (for practice) or tactics (for serious games), is either before receive or serve.

It's good to know, not to fear the instinct!