Proper distance from table for each play style?

I can play all those styles. I like to start 3 feet/1 meter from table. I only go back if the rally makes it necessary.

LUCKYLOOP wrote: I can play all those styles. I like to start 3 feet/1 meter from table. I only go back if the rally makes it necessary.

In most Chinese textbooks, close to the table is defined as 50cm and below, mid-distance as 50-100cm, and long distance as 100cm and beyond.

Some may further break it down into mid-close distance(50-70cm) and mid-long distance(70-100cm).

The distance is calculated from the endline to the stance.

As to the OP's question, nowadays there are no hard and fast rules for the proper distance for playing style in the pros world, as every player should be capable of playing at all distance.

Still, for the fast-attacking style, players strive to stay close to the table as the style loses its effectiveness as the distance increases. For the looping style, the range can span across all distance, but players tend to stay within mid-distance. For the modern defensive style, the range is usually mid-long distance.

Edited by zeio - 08/16/2016 at 2:13pm

zeio wrote: In most Chinese textbooks, close to the table is defined as 50cm and below, mid-distance as 50-100cm, and long distance as 100cm and beyond. Some may further break it down into mid-close distance(50-70cm) and mid-long distance(70-100cm). The distance is calculated from the endline to the stance. As to the OP's question, nowadays there are no hard and fast rules for the proper distance for playing style in the pros world, as every player should be capable of playing at all distance. Still, for the fast-attacking style, players strive to stay close to the table as the style loses its effectiveness as the distance increases. For the looping style, the range can span across all distance, but players tend to stay within mid-distance. For the modern defensive style, the range is usually mid-long distance.

mjamja wrote: Luckyloop, Is that distance from table to racket in ready position, table to toe on closest foot, table to waist, or something else? I ask because if I get down and lean forward in the "classic" ready position there is a noticeable difference in those measurements listed above.  If I take my normal standing straight up, square feet, narrow feet stance then the way you measure does not make that much difference. Mark

Table to waist, closest foot, I don't like to get jammed. I have a narrow stance too. It is easier to move in than back for me.


Edited by LUCKYLOOP - 08/17/2016 at 1:05am

pgpg wrote: LUCKYLOOP wrote: I can play all those styles. I like to start 3 feet/1 meter from table. I only go back if the rally makes it necessary. What is your level with each of these styles? Trying to put your advice in context...

Advanced, can do all shots of the game.

When playing long pips chopping style, use chop block technique so still at 3 feet unless necessary to back up during rally.

Edited by LUCKYLOOP - 08/17/2016 at 1:20am

pgpg wrote: LUCKYLOOP wrote: I can play all those styles. I like to start 3 feet/1 meter from table. I only go back if the rally makes it necessary. What is your level with each of these styles? Trying to put your advice in context...

PGPG,
good luck on trying to get a actual playing (rating) level out of LuckyLoop. I'm sure you remember his thread about " new class rating system" when he was asked multiple times what his rating (assuming he has one of course)was and he just ignored it every time he was asked.

baribari wrote: One more question...  If someone is a looper who plays for 5-6 back, how does one move back during a point after the return? Do you start close for the return, then move back for the third ball, and then move back again for the fifth ball? I can't imagine they make the return and then move all the way back on every point. You'd just get drop shotted every time.

My ready position is a little more than an arm's length from the table. When I'm serving (which is done close to the table) right after the ball leaves my bat I get back into my ready position which, for me, is ideal for third ball attack. If the opponent pushes short & close to the net then I move close in a way that I only have to take one step which is moving my left foot (I'm a lefty) forward where it goes under the table while my right foot mostly stays where it is unless the return is too wide. This way I can easily reach the ball with an extended arm to either a flick or a push, and then I return back to my ready position.

Edited by ronakvyas86 - 08/17/2016 at 2:45am