Tips: Watch opponent paddle/ball or both?

[Culaopho]

I am a new member. My coach always tells me to watch her paddle when I have TT training with her. On the internet TT forum, others suggested to watch the incoming ball. I think when you watch the incoming ball it might be too late to move into the right position to hit the ball than to watch the opponent paddle on the way to hit the ball so you will know which way the ball will go then you make your move. Is that correct?

 

[Rhydian]

My coach told me to watch what the other's doing. Placement and stroke preparation (so you know what he's gonna do and can place yourself) and what he does to the ball (so that you can choose which stroke to do).

Cheers

 

[azlan]

Welcome to the forum Culaopho!!

About your question, Rhydian is quite right.
For starters, watch the serves. People might argue, "most TT players feint their serves and it's difficult to tell". If you play against really good players, you will have that problem. If I were to play the top 50 in the world, I am sure I will misread at least 3 to 4 of their serves everytime. But other top 50 will not have that problem. What I am saying is, it comes with experience, years of playing matches and trainings.
*the more you go out and play tournaments, the quicker you will learn and gain experience

When you already have that experience, ability and knowledge, when all your actions and footworks are second nature to you, then it is time for you to look at the spin of the ball. Because then, you will be playing against those really good players that serve extremely well. No spin serves that looks like underspin/sidespin/topspins or vice versa. By that time, you have some of yours to dish out at them too

 

[Mr. RicharD]

Azlan's got some good points there. For starters on service you want to watch both their paddle and then how the ball bounces on the 1st and second bounce. The 1st bounce will confirm the trajectory (most of the time) the second will confirm the spin (most of the time). The paddle you just need to watch the point of contact. Zone the other flashy parts out if you can, this takes a lot of practice by just playing matches with people who have good service.

As for someone who is looping the ball or in general just hitting the ball you want to watch the paddle to see where it contacts the ball and also whether it is an upward stroke or a downward stroke. If it is a flat stroke you know the ball will have slight topspin or be dead. If it is a downward stroke you know it will be underspin, slight underspin, or dead. If it is an upward stroke you know it will be a variation of topspin and side spin depending on the point of contact.

When your opponent hits the ball you should have a good idea from how the hit it to where it is going that is when you should be moving to where the ball is going as well as starting your backswing. When the ball bounces on your side of the table you should be starting your forward swing to make contact either on the rise or at the top of the bounce.

 

[Culaopho]

Rhydian, azlan, and Mr. RicharD, Thank you very much for the great tips.