8 BAD table tennis habits, which make you play MUCH WORSE

Tom Lodziak
7 Oct 202209:27
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this informative video, Tom Lodiak identifies eight detrimental habits that hinder table tennis performance. He explains how reaching for the ball, hitting too hard, ball watching, gripping the bat tightly, serving without purpose, pushing long balls, predictable ball placement, and standing too upright can negatively impact a player's game. Tom offers practical advice on how to correct these habits, such as moving to the ball, reducing power for consistency, recovering after shots, loosening the grip, strategizing serves, attacking backspin, varying ball placement, and adopting a proper stance. This summary aims to help players recognize and improve upon common mistakes to enhance their table tennis skills.

Takeaways
  • πŸ“ The first bad habit is reaching for the ball instead of moving to it, which significantly reduces shot quality.
  • πŸ’ͺ The second bad habit is hitting the ball too hard too often, leading to inconsistency; reducing power can improve consistency.
  • πŸ‘€ The third bad habit is ball watching after playing a shot, which can cause a loss of position and reaction time.
  • 🀏 The fourth bad habit is gripping the bat too tightly, which hinders wrist movement and shot control.
  • 🎾 The fifth bad habit is serving without a purpose; having a strategic plan for serves can improve their effectiveness.
  • πŸ”„ The sixth bad habit is pushing long balls instead of attacking, which can limit improvement and competitive edge.
  • 🎱 The seventh bad habit is predictable ball placement, making it easier for opponents to anticipate shots.
  • 🧍 The eighth and most common bad habit is standing too upright, which restricts movement and shot power.
  • πŸ‘‰ To fix the habit of reaching for the ball, move to the ball and play shots in front of the body for better quality.
  • πŸ•ŠοΈ To address hitting too hard, reduce power to around 80% for improved consistency while still hitting winners.
  • πŸ”„ To overcome ball watching, always expect the ball to come back and focus on recovery and observing the opponent.
  • πŸ‘ To correct a tight grip, loosen it to allow for better wrist usage, control, and spin generation.
  • πŸ€” For serving with purpose, consider the type of serve and its likely return to plan your subsequent shot.
  • πŸš€ To improve against long backspin balls, practice top-spinning them to raise your game level and confidence.
  • πŸ”„ To avoid predictable play, vary ball placement to make it harder for opponents to predict your shots.
  • πŸ§β€β™‚οΈ To counter standing too upright, adopt a proper table tennis stance with bent knees and a forward lean for better movement and shot power.
Q & A
  • What is the main topic of Tom Lodiak's video?

    -The main topic of Tom Lodiak's video is to reveal eight bad habits that can negatively impact a person's performance in table tennis matches.

  • What is the first bad habit mentioned by Tom Lodiak that can affect table tennis performance?

    -The first bad habit mentioned is reaching for the ball instead of moving to it, which can result in a lower quality shot.

  • How can a player fix the bad habit of reaching for the ball?

    -To fix this habit, players should move to the ball and play the shot in front of their body, ensuring better backhand and forehand shots.

  • What is the second bad habit discussed by Tom Lodiak?

    -The second bad habit is trying to hit the ball too hard too often, which can lead to inconsistency in play.

  • How can a player improve their consistency in table tennis?

    -A player can improve their consistency by reducing the power of their shots to around 80% and focusing on good placement rather than trying to hit the ball with maximum power.

  • What is ball watching, and why is it considered a bad habit in table tennis?

    -Ball watching is when a player stops and watches their own shot after playing it, which can cause them to be out of position and late to react to the return shot.

  • How can a player avoid the bad habit of ball watching?

    -A player can avoid ball watching by constantly reminding themselves that the ball is coming back, which encourages them to recover properly and observe their opponent.

  • What is the fourth bad habit Tom Lodiak talks about in the video?

    -The fourth bad habit is gripping the bat too tightly, which can lock up the wrist and reduce shot control and spin.

  • Why is having a loose grip on the bat important in table tennis?

    -A loose grip is important because it allows a player to use their wrist more effectively, leading to better control, feeling, and the ability to generate more spin.

  • What is the fifth bad habit mentioned by Tom Lodiak, and how can it be fixed?

    -The fifth bad habit is serving with no purpose. It can be fixed by taking time to think about the type of serve, its spin, length, and how it is likely to be returned, thus developing a strategic service game.

  • Why is it a bad habit to push long balls instead of attacking them?

    -Pushing long balls instead of attacking can limit a player's improvement and prevent them from raising their level of play. Attacking the ball can help develop better shots and increase confidence.

  • What is the seventh bad habit Tom Lodiak discusses, and how can it be improved?

    -The seventh bad habit is predictable ball placement. It can be improved by varying the placement of the ball, making it harder for the opponent to predict the player's next move.

  • What is the most common bad habit among amateur table tennis players according to Tom Lodiak?

    -The most common bad habit among amateur table tennis players is standing too upright, which can hinder movement, attack, and shot energy.

  • How can a player correct the bad habit of standing too upright in table tennis?

    -To correct this, a player should adopt a proper table tennis stance with lower height, bent knees, and a slight forward lean, which facilitates easier movement and more powerful shots.

  • What does Tom Lodiak encourage viewers to do after watching the video?

    -Tom Lodiak encourages viewers to reflect on how many of the bad habits they have, and to share this in the comments section below. He also asks viewers to subscribe to his channel or watch other videos if they enjoyed the content.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ“ Improving Table Tennis: Overcoming Bad Habits

Tom Lodiak introduces a video focusing on eight detrimental habits that can negatively impact table tennis performance. He acknowledges that some of these habits are his own, while others are observed in other players. The video aims to help viewers identify and correct these habits to improve their game. The first habit discussed is reaching for the ball instead of moving to it, which reduces shot quality. The second habit is hitting the ball too hard, which can lead to inconsistency. Tom suggests reducing power for better placement and consistency. The third habit is ball watching, where players stop and watch their own shots, leading to poor recovery and positioning for the next shot. The fourth habit is gripping the bat too tightly, which hinders wrist movement and shot control. Tom recommends a loose grip to improve shot quality and spin.

05:02
🎾 Enhancing Serve and Movement in Table Tennis

Continuing the discussion on bad habits in table tennis, Tom Lodiak addresses the importance of serving with a purpose and having a strategy behind each serve. He advises players to consider the type of spin, length, and placement of the serve to better suit their game. The sixth bad habit is pushing long balls instead of attacking, which can limit a player's growth. Tom encourages attacking backspin balls to develop confidence and improve skills. The seventh habit is predictable ball placement, making it easier for opponents to anticipate shots. He suggests varying ball placement to keep opponents guessing. Lastly, the most common bad habit, standing too upright, is discussed. This posture hinders movement and shot power. Tom recommends adopting a proper table tennis stance with knees bent and body leaning forward for easier movement and more powerful shots. The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to identify their bad habits and work on improving their table tennis skills.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Bad Habits
Bad habits in the context of this video refer to common mistakes or behaviors that negatively affect a table tennis player's performance. They are integral to the video's theme, which is to identify and address these habits to improve one's game. Examples from the script include 'reaching for the ball,' 'trying to hit the ball too hard,' and 'standing too upright,' all of which are discussed as habits that can hinder a player's ability to play effectively.
πŸ’‘Shot Quality
Shot quality is a measure of how well a player hits the ball in terms of control, power, and placement. It is a key concept in the video, as improving shot quality is a primary goal for players looking to enhance their performance. The script mentions that reaching for the ball can result in 'shot quality is going to be really low,' emphasizing the importance of proper movement and positioning to execute better shots.
πŸ’‘Consistency
Consistency in table tennis is the ability to repeatedly hit the ball with accuracy and reliability. The video emphasizes the importance of consistency over raw power, suggesting that reducing the power to 80% can 'improve massively' a player's consistency, which in turn leads to more winning shots and fewer missed opportunities.
πŸ’‘Ball Watching
Ball watching is a habit where a player focuses on the ball after hitting it, rather than immediately preparing for the return. This can lead to being out of position and reacting too late to the opponent's next shot. The script advises players to always expect the ball to come back, which helps in maintaining readiness and preventing this bad habit.
πŸ’‘Grip
Grip in table tennis refers to how a player holds the racket. An overly tight grip can restrict wrist movement and reduce shot control, as mentioned in the script with 'gripping the bat too tightly.' A looser grip is recommended to allow for better wrist usage and shot variety, which is crucial for improving play.
πŸ’‘Serving
Serving is the act of starting a point in table tennis by propelling the ball into play. The video discusses the importance of serving with a purpose, meaning with a strategic intention, such as applying different spins or placements. A thoughtless serve can be easily returned by the opponent, whereas a well-planned serve can set up an advantageous rally.
πŸ’‘Pushing Long Balls
Pushing long balls refers to the defensive stroke of pushing the ball back after it has significant backspin and has bounced far from the net. The script points out that continuously pushing long balls is a bad habit that can be improved by attacking these balls with a topspin shot instead, which can lead to raising the player's level of play.
πŸ’‘Predictable Ball Placement
Predictable ball placement is when a player's shots are easily anticipated by the opponent due to a lack of variation. The video suggests varying the placement of both backhand and forehand shots to make it harder for the opponent to predict and respond. This can be achieved by playing cross-court, down the line, or to the middle of the table.
πŸ’‘Stance
Stance in table tennis is the body posture a player adopts while playing. The script identifies 'standing too upright' as a common bad habit that hinders movement and shot power. A proper table tennis stance involves bending the knees, leaning forward, and maintaining a low center of gravity, which facilitates better movement and shot execution.
πŸ’‘Power vs. Placement
The script discusses the balance between hitting the ball with maximum power versus placing it strategically on the table. It suggests that reducing power in favor of good placement can lead to more consistent and winning shots. This concept is crucial for players looking to improve their game by focusing on smarter shot selection rather than just power.
πŸ’‘Recovery
Recovery in table tennis is the action of regaining a balanced and ready position after hitting the ball. The script mentions that watching one's own shot can delay recovery, leading to poor positioning for the next shot. Quick and proper recovery is essential to maintain readiness for the opponent's return and to continue the rally effectively.
Highlights

Tom Lodiak reveals eight bad habits that can negatively impact table tennis performance.

Players should move to the ball rather than reaching, to improve shot quality.

Reducing the power to around 80% can increase consistency in shots.

Avoid ball watching; always expect the ball to come back for better recovery.

A loose grip on the bat allows for better wrist usage and shot control.

Serving with a clear purpose and strategy can improve a player's game.

Instead of pushing long balls, players should aim to top spin for better attack opportunities.

Varying ball placement makes it harder for opponents to predict shots.

Standing too upright is a common bad habit that hinders movement and shot power.

Adopting a proper table tennis stance with bent knees and a forward lean improves mobility and shot energy.

Lodiak himself admits to some of the bad habits discussed, showing they are common even among experienced players.

The importance of moving to the ball is emphasized for better shot quality and game performance.

Consistency in shots is more valuable than trying to hit the ball too hard every time.

Recovery and positioning are crucial after playing a shot, not just the shot execution itself.

A relaxed grip enhances the ability to generate spin and control the ball.

Planning serves according to the type and expected return can lead to a stronger service game.

Attacking long backspin balls with topspin instead of pushing can elevate a player's skill level.

Diversifying ball placement strategies can make a player more unpredictable and challenging to beat.

Correcting the habit of standing too upright can significantly improve a player's overall table tennis game.

Transcripts
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