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I recently watched the video below featuring Coach Meng on the WRM Channel about a preparatory bounce step being the foundation of higher level footwork.
This led me down to further research about the topic where I came across an eye-opening article (for me at least) entitled "Bounce with the Ball" here: Bounce with the Ball by Tom Veach
Here is a brief snippet of the article that gets to the meat of the topic, but the whole article is well written and informative:
6 months into starting table tennis, I didn't really understand why my feet always look so planted and my mobility is so poor. Concentrating on "staying low" somewhat helps. And I've been aware of the split-step concept for a while, especially after serving. But I never realized why the pros and higher level players look so nimble and teleporting easily to the ball. This is especially noticeable when watching women's pros bounce around playing so close to the table.
Right now I feel like implementing this concept is the first step (no pun intended) to developing good footwork (and hopefully advanced level footwork in the distant future). I come from a martial arts background where I developed a firm belief that everything starts 'from the ground up' through footwork, and this seems to be the case in almost all athletic endeavors. Having proper footwork means being in position and prepared for swinging a racket of throwing a punch. So if these bounce steps are the foundation for table tennis footwork, it seems like ths is something I need to master as soon as possible.
But I wanted to ask the high level players and coaches here what they think about this concept first.
Is Tom Veach correct that many if not most high level pros are implementing a recovery bounce and a preparatory bounce timed with the ball bounce whenever possible?
Is this something beginners should be taught and drill as soon as possible? Or is it something I should not worry about too much right now and will come organically over time?
How much focus should I spend on this footwork during practice? Should I be bouncing only on movement drills (2 points, Falkenberg, etc.) or should I do a small bounce for every single racket action?
If you've gotten to the end of this post and read and watched the linked content, thank you and I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
This led me down to further research about the topic where I came across an eye-opening article (for me at least) entitled "Bounce with the Ball" here: Bounce with the Ball by Tom Veach
Here is a brief snippet of the article that gets to the meat of the topic, but the whole article is well written and informative:
In "bounce with the ball", there are two two-footed hops per ball contact: Attack and Recover, where the interesting one is Recover.
Because after you touch the ball in a rally, how many times does the ball bounce before you touch it again?
Not one: it has to bounce on the other side of the table, and then back on your side. People have to think about it. Two. Yes, two. (Three if you are serving.)
This is typical: I make a beautiful swing and hit a great stroke, and then I spend my precious recovery-and-preparation time watching my beautifully struck ball flying away, celebrating and cheering for it to hit the table, smiling stupidly with the thought of what a great shot it was and how my opponent will surely miss it. Then I reinforce my own insecurity when I discover it coming back to me. Oh no! Then I rush late to return the ball which I haven't planned to recieve. Result: bad, rushed, missed.
Instead I should stop paying attention to what I can no longer influence, and pay extra attention to getting ready for the next: Recover!
So by the time my ball hits the other side of the table (hopefully the shortest part of the cycle, if I am on offense), I should have touched down, compressed into a bounce, and be bouncing back to a recovered, balanced, side-uncommitted position and posture. I should HURRY to recover. I should CONCENTRATE on recovering. Then I'll have TIME to watch my opponent's intention and plan my third ball.
As you may imagine, this seems awfully complex, putting a lot together. But Yazel is right, "Bounce with the ball" simplifies and coordinates everything.
6 months into starting table tennis, I didn't really understand why my feet always look so planted and my mobility is so poor. Concentrating on "staying low" somewhat helps. And I've been aware of the split-step concept for a while, especially after serving. But I never realized why the pros and higher level players look so nimble and teleporting easily to the ball. This is especially noticeable when watching women's pros bounce around playing so close to the table.
Right now I feel like implementing this concept is the first step (no pun intended) to developing good footwork (and hopefully advanced level footwork in the distant future). I come from a martial arts background where I developed a firm belief that everything starts 'from the ground up' through footwork, and this seems to be the case in almost all athletic endeavors. Having proper footwork means being in position and prepared for swinging a racket of throwing a punch. So if these bounce steps are the foundation for table tennis footwork, it seems like ths is something I need to master as soon as possible.
But I wanted to ask the high level players and coaches here what they think about this concept first.
Is Tom Veach correct that many if not most high level pros are implementing a recovery bounce and a preparatory bounce timed with the ball bounce whenever possible?
Is this something beginners should be taught and drill as soon as possible? Or is it something I should not worry about too much right now and will come organically over time?
How much focus should I spend on this footwork during practice? Should I be bouncing only on movement drills (2 points, Falkenberg, etc.) or should I do a small bounce for every single racket action?
If you've gotten to the end of this post and read and watched the linked content, thank you and I look forward to hearing your thoughts!