says
toooooo much choice!!
says
toooooo much choice!!
Well-Known Member
Does anyone have any pointers when it comes to setting the pace yourself? I've spent most of the summer playing against players who are 500+ (Swedish) ranking points better than me so I've become quite comfortable at countering or chopping whatever they throw at me. What really destroys me is when they start to play extremely slow and I have to set the pace (usually quite close to the table). I overshoot a lot.
Any drills that would improve this? The typical error I make is trying to loop a quite low and slow ball (by overshooting).
Hi, the thing with better players is that they can be more comfortable playing at a variety of different paces, and remembering Timo Boll talking about variety (when he did a review with Dan, mainly on serves) but it also applies to general play, is a variety of pace , spin , placement etc doesn’t let your opponent ‘settle’ and be ‘comfortable’ it makes them think all the time.
You said you are comfortable playing whatever they throw at you, at a faster pace, they know this and then switch things, looking to bring you out of your comfort zone!!!
ask yourself do I have to set the pace? Or can I play a well positioned controlled shot that will enable a better chance of attacking the next ball.
Ask yourself ‘What is setting the pace??’
For these better players, it’s reducing the speed of play not necessarily playing faster or harder shots.
Controlling the rally
I would think that you are a far better player than myself so I’m just throwing some thoughts and options out there!! I’m not saying do this or that, or this will work. The other guys will advise on shot type, more spin less pace etc
I also think you already know the answer !!!!! Just possibly don’t know it yet!!!
At the start of the summer when you started playing against the ‘better’ players, did you feel comfortable playing at their faster pace?? Now you have ‘grown’ into their pace of play and feel comfortable!!!!!
Ask these players to do some drills with you, focusing on slower play.
You already analysed where you think your weak point is, so focus on that, get them to play that slow low ball to the forehand. Ask them how it’s best to play against that ball.
Also play that slow low ball to them, and see how they deal with it!! And you’ll have an answer!! (Or two!!!) as individuals will have their own way of dealing with that type of incoming ball.
Watch them play each other and see if that slow ball is played and what they do.
The answer is at the other end of the table, if they are decent guys they’ll help you out!!!!