1. As a right handed player, I'm not too sure of the proper footwork to take a forehand on my left side when I'm already deep on the right side. As an example, If I'm in a rally against another right hander, hitting forehand side to forehand side and suddenly the ball is hit somewhat wide to my left (not so wide that it would completely require a backhand), I find myself using a weak off position backhand stroke that is either very easy for the opponent to capitalize on or misses the table entirely.

For reference I am a right-handed shakehand player about USATT 1600 rating

Edited by mjamja - 04/27/2012 at 10:33am

I think for the most part, footwork is not something that can be learned from videos for several reasons.

First, if you know the footwork ( the actual steps ) and work on it without the ball, it becomes useless when the ball is introduced because of the high level of coordination that involves the ball with the footwork.

Second, it is almost impossible to "get it" just from seeing it - there are many elements involved in the footwork. Reading where the ball will go needs to happen before moving and at my level this is not done well enough. Next, understanding angles and where your position needs to be after a certain shot is another reason where we lack footwork because we simply do not know WHERE to move - instead merely reacting.

From what I've seen at my modest level, people have trouble with a few elements in terms of footwork:

1. Moving out to a wide ball on the forehand
2. Moving out far from table on the forehand and coming in close to the table on a subsequent soft shot also on the forehand.
3. Moving out to a wide ball on the forehand and coming back to a wide ball to the backhand. ( also an element of moving back and not being able to cover the distance, but this one is most likely not a footwork problem, but a problem of a shot selection )
4. Getting stuck ( not using any footwork ) when attacked in the crossover.

Things that are done pretty well ( because most people practice this )

1. Backhand/Forehand transitions from the same point
2. Backhand forehand transitions from backhand corner and middle of the table.
3. Pivot around the backhand to use the forehand

William, I guess if you can put the information in such a fashion that explains not the actual footwork, but the uses of the footwork and reading of the angles, this would be more applicable and much more beneficial for the learning player.

I am definitely interested in something that would explain this in detail. Not sure what the cost of this would be, but I guess the average price of other videos out there ( 20 -25 bucks ) would be reasonable.

Other points to consider if you choose to create the video, is to show how to minimize play against your footwork. Lets say a player knows that he can't cover the distance because of whatever reasons. And the player plays closer, but still had trouble. It would be good to show how to use the angles properly in order to bring the ball into the line of play where footwork demands would be minimal. This would be best to show in terms of forehand and backhand dominant players alike. Also for left and right handed players.

Good luck with your project. Please update us on it from time to time.

Thanks,

Alex

 

Thank you, William. It is very aspiring to see that even high level players such as yourself find still learn new things that you "didn't know". Us, the amateurs, are constantly in this state forever seeking many pieces of the puzzle to this wonderful game. Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge with us.

XX is doing some very specific things with his feet, legs and body that are easily missed if you don't know exactly what to look for. It all goes so fast that the details are lost. I have been searching for existing videos that show how each part moves and explain what part does what, in which order and why but haven't found much. The Chinese know how to move very, very well. What RSM is doing in his video is much simpler than what XX is doing.

Thanks Jim! :)


Edited by ttEDGE - William - 04/27/2012 at 12:35pm

I seem to have a "heavy" left foot (I'm right-handed), especially with a ball to my far right. For some reason it's easier for me to move to the left and take a FH. Maybe it's because of the back swing...

Originally posted by ttEDGE - William "Heavy left foot" is a common term for certain movements and is a good thing Zingy.

OK, I'd like to know how to make this a good thing for my game

Originally posted by swampthing IMO, The tackiness of the floor surface plays a role too.  My footwork seems better on a floor with more forgiveness than a glossy gym floor that's like fly paper.

Ha! And I'm the opposite swamp. I hate any sort of slipping or gliding. You'll see a thick mash of wet tissue paper next to the table for any match that I'm playing on red mat flooring. I wipe my soles down after every point. Thanks for your feedback.

Originally posted by ttEDGE - William @jrscatman - there are only a few guys in the world who can move like Ma Lin or Ryu Seung Min. I learned that fast movement is much more about correct footwork technique than leg strength or hours of footwork training. The feet moving in the right order with the right weight transfer and some simple points to keep in mind will improve anyone's footwork. I haven't seen anything on youtube quite like what we're doing so I hope we'll be bringing something new to the table. And I completely understand that many just won't be interested in paying.

Thanks for giving me your first ever post here curtis! I think (hope) there are many in your situation. It's the detailed explanation of what your options are in different situations (and what choosing each option will mean for your power, movement and recovery) that I've had found is missing. I want to create a clear picture in the viewer's mind about what it looks like. If I can't picture myself doing a stroke or movement then I can't recreate it on the table in a consistent way.

Originally posted by jrscatman Good luck with the footwork project. In my opinion this is the most important skill players must learn.

Over the past week I've been doing a string of interviews with the players and coaches here in Vienna that I'll be making videos, about different skills in TT, of and putting on youtube. A lot on the go at the moment! They almost all mention how correct footwork is the basis for all power, movement, recovery, balance and basically everything else!

I tell you this is so similar to boxing, the whole idea of smooth movement of the feet, both lateral and forward and backward, without crossing the legs or bringing them together, then using the hips to lead the body and generate power with the arms and wrists.  Remarkable how similar some sports can be.  I think I need to dust off my memory from boxing in the 80s if I expect to become a good TT player.

RankAmateur,
I agree with you. I regularly do aerobic kickboxing for fitness and sometimes, after TT training, I have some fun by doing TT movements, instead of the boxing movements, on the pedestal punching bag. It's amazing how some basics are the same. Also I feel I'm moving much faster since I do.

As to William's questions:

1. I move rather fast, but I feel I generally have a problem of incorrect balance at the moment of hitting the ball.
   
2. Because I don't know how to do it right.
3. Yes, but only if explanations were complemented by exercises. I'd appreciate a number of exercises that one can make at home without a table or partner. I'd be willing to pay about $20-$25.
   

Ping Pong Ball Training Fran TT 5

Ping Pong Ball Training Fran TT 9