Match analysis/feedback
Graham Mackenzie asked 5 days ago
Hi, coaches (and anyone else who feels like watching/commenting). I am a relative beginner to the sport, having played “seriously” (i.e. going to the local TT club weekly, and spending a lot of time on YT and here at the Academy) for the past two years. I recently taped a match that I did against someone that I usually really struggle against at our local club. While I won this time around, it was close and I would love your feedback on where I should focus my efforts to make the maximum improvement.
Here is the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1YBMW9NO9s
Note: I am the one wearing the purple shirt with white writing!
I have cut out all of the dead time between points. I’m guessing you don’t want to watch the whole 9 minutes – the fifth game is probably the best, starting at 6:52. The fourth game, at 4:52, is good for seeing me from the front.
I would love to hear any feedback that you have, but in particular, things that I’m really noticing with this video (and in general), but am having trouble fixing, are:
- Inconsistent loops/open-ups – they tend to either go into the net, or off the end of the table.
- Push quality – these tend to go quite high, but I don’t think it’s because my paddle angle is too open…?
- Getting myself into position, even though I feel like I’m moving around quite a lot (not just standing in one place and reaching). Because of this, I see too much reaching and/or having the elbow too tight to the body. I feel like this often results in my forehand stroke being done by the arm, and not with the legs/body, but I’m not sure about the best way to fix this.
Thanks!
Dan Academy Coach answered 4 days ago
Hey Graham, firstly I think you are doing well for the amount you’ve played and have some good basics to work from. So for the things you said above I think you’re right, these are the main areas to focus on. First with the pushing, your bat angle is a bit open yes, so focus on that , but the main thing to improve the quality of your pushes and keep them lower is to take the ball earlier, so you almost want the feeling that you contact the ball right after the bounce almost like a half volley. This stops the push shots bouncing up high and will help you generate more spin as well.
For the inconsistent open ups, I think staying low and really focusing on using the legs and turning the body into the shot will help a lot. Also having a relaxed grip and arm and making sure you brush the ball with a quick acceleration. I think for you really working on having the hinge feeling from your elbow and not letting the shoulder get involved, that with a solid base will make a bid difference!
For the last one on your movement, I think you’re moving pretty well with quick feet, just again focus on staying low and keeping your head level as much as possible, but you movement looks good! The best way to work on this is to do regular drills where you know where the ball is coming and just focus on compact, low good footwork and keeping your elbow position the same, once you become more solid in regular drills then of course progress to irregular. But at the moment I think just drilling this in with regular drills as simple as possible will help a lot!
Keep up the good work and any questions on the stuff I’ve mentioned just let me know. Thanks, Dan 🙂
