Which is the best?

[PenHoldSandro]

Hi, I am wondering which is the best one: Power, spin, or placement?

 

[mikeytt]

There is no 'best', a variation of all is what is needed!

A full power shot with no consideration of placement will often result in a block coming back to you at 100mph with your arm still mid air finishing the stroke.

A well placed shot with little to no speed can result in you losing that placement advantage you had.

Variation is key in table tennis

 

[blahness]

Spin is more important...

 

[PenHoldSandro]

Spin is more important...

Why do you think that?

 

[blahness]

Why do you think that?

Spin helps to land balls on the table which is way more important...

 

[NetProphet]

Hi, I am wondering which is the best one: Power, speed, or placement?

Which is more important will depend on the opponent. Some handle spin better than speed etc but it's dependent on their technical ability and reaction speed.

Usually varying shots across a game is going to be most useful so the opponent doesn't begin to get comfortable with any one thing.

I personally found placement the best to start with, mostly because I find it the easiest to implement and logically also as you practice your shots accuracy is inevitably key.
If I try too much spin or power I'm more likely to miss so its easier to force a poor return using consistent placement than by varying spin. I find the application of more spin in any current shot is a more difficult skill to learn and comes next.

Developing my accuracy (as it requires proper timing, racket angle, body position etc) has been a good first step to improvement and working this into my strategy for matches has been enjoyable

I enjoyed this video on the subject

 

[PenHoldSandro]

Spin helps to land balls on the table which is way more important...

Fair

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

Hi, I am wondering which is the best one: Power, speed, or placement?

Can you define the term "power" as it relates to a table tennis shot and how it is different from "speed"?

Does speed have any part in the definition of power when you are referring to them as qualities of a table tennis shot?

Is there a reason you left out the single thing that defines table tennis more than any other racket sport in your question above: SPIN?

Is spin part of what causes a table tennis shot to have "power"? Or is spin irrelevant?

 

[TackyForehand]

You need everything. Speed to pressure your opponent's reaction speed, spin to test their technique, and placement to force their footwork. Each item adds another layer of difficulty for your opponent.

 

[darkky65]

Placement > Power = Speed = Spin

you need to land your shots first and foremost.

you need all 3 to excel but landing your shots is the most important.

 

[PenHoldSandro]

Is there a reason you left out the single thing that defines table tennis more than any other racket sport in your question above: SPIN?

I messed up bad XD, I meant spin not speed

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

I messed up bad XD, I meant spin not speed

Speed needs to be in the equation too.

But, what is POWER in a table tennis shot? You are going to have to think about it.

Have you ever tried to block a shot that had so much spin on it that the ball went way up instead of forward? What caused that? Have you ever had a ball hit your racket and feel HEAVY, like you hit a baseball instead of a little, light table tennis ball? What causes that?