Other ways to improve in table tennis

[Nohgl]

Hi eveyone, I have been thinking about some stuff and was wondering if you guys could give me your opinions or sources to anwser these questions.

I was wondering if trying a lot of different sorts of materials can help improve feeling and helps you learn about spin more. Like is it useful to train with short, long pimples, anti etc for some short intervals. Will this help better the understanding of the materials and improve other areas of the game, or do you guys think it is not helpful and it's better just to play only with your main racket.

Secondly, do you guys think watching table tennis matches / videos, or imagining yourself playing will help you improve faster?

Hope someone has some anwsers, have fun watching the olympic games everyone!

 

[jk1980]

I don't think it is very helpful to use many different rubbers even rubber types like pimples out and stuff, because you first of need to learn by heart how the ball behaves in regular circumstances. Only if you have that down you could theoretically do some pimples out experiment, but that would be years down the line.

Watching high level table tennis matches definitely helps, because how would you know what stroke to use when, if you don't imitate what other successful people ? it is not intuitive when certain strokes can be used successfully so do watch high level table tennis. it is even better not to watch bad players or team mates, because you might copy bad habits of them.

 

[Loop Lob Smash]

Hi eveyone, I have been thinking about some stuff and was wondering if you guys could give me your opinions or sources to anwser these questions.

I was wondering if trying a lot of different sorts of materials can help improve feeling and helps you learn about spin more. Like is it useful to train with short, long pimples, anti etc for some short intervals. Will this help better the understanding of the materials and improve other areas of the game, or do you guys think it is not helpful and it's better just to play only with your main racket.

Secondly, do you guys think watching table tennis matches / videos, or imagining yourself playing will help you improve faster?

Hope someone has some anwsers, have fun watching the olympic games everyone!

In regard to trying different materials, last year I went through an experimental phase, trying ~10 blades over a period of four months. At the end of that I had greater touch and was spinning the ball more than before. Perhaps because the process of evaluation heightens your senses. It was a worthwhile exercise for that alone. Bonus is I fell on a new favourite racket. You might have to suffer through some abuse from your regular playing partners though Some people just don't appreciate the experimental mindset!

 

[Aizen]

1- I'm not sure about equipment thing, rule of thumb is playing with same racket, gives more consistency, it gives better progress. On the other hand, changing may also increase adaptation skills. But we can look at pro's they don't change their equipment frequently, instead, they change opponents or trainings.
So If I wanted to learn how to against short pips, I would be training a player using short pips, not change my setup. I can observe & test & learn by giving different spins to opponents from their reactions.

2- Sure, watching games should be helping to progress, however I think we should be taking notes on small details like footwork, positioning, tactics etc (maybe on paper, maybe on head) and understand reasoning behind their play then should practice these drills. Some people do that naturally/automatically, some need bit more attention.

Otherwise just watching, and saying "wow, how good they are playing, what a fast shot, hey that is a huge swing" not that helping much to me at least.

 

[vanjr]

Watching videos will help. I am of the opinion that watching players better than yourself, but not way better is better than watching FZD for example (at least for me).