Table tennis and your brain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpJMi7VWjDQ

I guess I'm one of the academic types.  In general you can learn to improve any number of tasks in response to training if that training includes feedback that allows you to track performance.  So, I am sure that the players can learn to improve their performance at picking out the visual cues -- on the app. 

I honestly don't know if it would improve performance in actual play.  It might. 

Or it might help you pick out the cues as to where William Henzel hits the ball but nobody else, and few if any of us will ever get to play William Henzel (sadly). 

I just don't know. 

I think I will try it just to see how it goes.  Even if it doesn't work I like the idea of supporting those guys.

It's a ping pong forum.  I think we shouldn't take stuff that seriously.  Many things get claimed here that have no data behind it.  The world has not spun off its axis.  Sometimes you can provide the data and people still get upset.  I'm about to go and download it onto my tablet, even though I am actually a bit skeptical that it can work.

Wrong address for the Android app on the video...

TT Edge

Baal wrote: It's a ping pong forum.  I think we shouldn't take stuff that seriously.  Many things get claimed here that have no data behind it.  The world has not spun off its axis.  Sometimes you can provide the data and people still get upset.  I'm about to go and download it onto my tablet, even though I am actually a bit skeptical that it can work.

There has been research done in related fields. There was a study of pro baseball players where the conclusion was they were very good at anticipating the pitch based on watching the pitchers windup. This is something that hitting coaches teach. For example, a fast ball is thrown differently from a curve ball, so watch for the cues.

The hitters either consciously or subconsciously anticipated the pitch based on cues like arm/elbow position, how the ball is held in the hand, seam orientation, etc.

When the windup was covered up so the hitter could only see the release of the ball from the hand, hitting % dropped dramatically. (I would post the link, but I read it years ago and can't find it)

It should be possible to train people in table tennis to anticipate better just like in other sports.


Another area of exploration is deception. How about when a player can hold off giving cues on which direction they will hit the ball or faking going one way and hitting it another? Phase II?

For example, I was playing in a league team match where in between games I could hear my opponent say to his team "I can't tell where he is hitting".

I would also like to see the app do serves. For example, player serves with the same motion but varying spins. Can you read the spin properly?

Tassie52 wrote: qpskfec wrote: I would also like to see the app do serves. For example, player serves with the same motion but varying spins. Can you read the spin properly? And wouldn't it be awesome to be trying to read the famous WH backhand? Can we have that next, please?

Studies have shown table tennis helps improve cognitive function in older adults. As we age there are changes in the brain that effect memory, spatial awareness, reflexes, and problem solving. With regular exercise (table tennis) there is a link between age specific cognitive decline and the benefit of the sport. If there is a physician here they could go into more detail of the physiological process.

my tablet is not registering each time my finger hits the screen......  bummer.  But I am improving. 

Brett Clarke wrote: Baal wrote: my tablet is not registering each time my finger hits the screen......  bummer.  But I am improving.  Baal, what type of tablet are you using. Are you aware you can only tap once for each shot? The window of opportunity starts from the time the ball leaves you til the time it comes back. The smileys up the top will register your tap. I've played it on a range of devices and haven't had an issue. One other person said they were having an issue on an Android tablet. Is that what you have?

Cool app!!!

I can't speak for Baal, but I initially also thought that my taps weren't registering although they were. What threw me off is that the fingertip bulls-eyes (for lack of of a better term) don't register any kind of feedback when you tap.

Perhaps that's something for version 2; if the bulls-eyes lit up or changed color (and/or if there was a clicking sound), it would be easier to know that you have successfully tapped.

ttTurkey wrote: Brett Clarke wrote: Baal wrote: my tablet is not registering each time my finger hits the screen......  bummer.  But I am improving.  Baal, what type of tablet are you using. Are you aware you can only tap once for each shot? The window of opportunity starts from the time the ball leaves you til the time it comes back. The smileys up the top will register your tap. I've played it on a range of devices and haven't had an issue. One other person said they were having an issue on an Android tablet. Is that what you have? Cool app!!! I can't speak for Baal, but I initially also thought that my taps weren't registering although they were. What threw me off is that the fingertip bulls-eyes (for lack of of a better term) don't register any kind of feedback when you tap. Perhaps that's something for version 2; if the bulls-eyes lit up or changed color (and/or if there was a clicking sound), it would be easier to know that you have successfully tapped.

On an Android phone and find it is not always registering taps and there is a bug that registers as a tap even if the ball goes on the opposite side.

A good exercise though!!

I think having a short delay after the ball leaves the screen before you can register the next ball might be a good idea.

The first update is available for Android users and it's waiting for approval on IOS. After installing the update, you'll get feedback after you make your selection as a flash will appear. It also helps slightly with some of the sensitivity issues on lower levels. There are no sensitivity issues on level 3>. Just make sure you don't click when the ball is behind you as it will count for the next shot. I watched a beginner play and they clicked when the ball was behind them on every shot.

Tassie52 wrote: qpskfec wrote: I would also like to see the app do serves. For example, player serves with the same motion but varying spins. Can you read the spin properly? And wouldn't it be awesome to be trying to read the famous WH backhand? Can we have that next, please?