State What you still do well; The shot of the forehand block I still feel there are certain parts of the procedure in which I still do well such as judging the bounce allowing me to be able to get some of the shots on to the table.
State What Your Weakness Is; The Weakness of the forehand block is that I do not guide the ball over to the other side of the table, therefore the shot lacks any control, meaning that when the opponent plays a shot which requires a block I would usually miss it. Guiding the ball over the net when blocking the ball allows you to have more control, as if you just put you bat to the ball, then the spin would just react of the bat face and could end up going anywhere, same as if I was blocking a fast shot and didn’t guide it, the ball would just simply bounce off the bat.
State the possible causes for the weakness and the theory behind it; A possible theory behind the weakness in which I’ve stated is that I didn’t properly learn the correct technique, in which requires the flick at the end, and that I was taught one the push without the flick and find it hard now to incorporate the flick into my game, the flick in which guides the ball onto the table. Another possible reason is that I learnt one technique which didn’t include the flick and got into a habit of using this technique as I used it a lot, then as I was taught the new technique of guiding the ball onto the table, it doesn’t come out as I’m still in the habit of using the technique in which I originally learnt. I also feel that sometimes I can be a lazy player, and tend to get into a habit within a game of just leaving my bat there, meaning that there is no guiding/flicking action on the ball to enable it to get over the net.
State which is best suited to you and why; The above cause which is best suited to me I feel has to be that I can be a lazy player and that I leave my bat there rather than guide the ball over the net, I feel this because many times when I have competed in a competitive match costing me a lot of points in games where I’m in a winning position. When I leave my bat there the ball will just bounce off a lack any control needed to get over the net, depending on what ball is being returned to how much the ball needs to be guided, so sometimes if the ball is hit with more pace than spin and I leave my bat there it can sometimes go on, and that’s what gives me the incorrect belief that I have the correct technique.
Talk about ways to correct the weakness; Possible ways of correcting the weaknesses of guiding the forehand block is to, practice more on the shot, so that I get into a habit and when I play the shot I automatically guide the ball over the net, rather than leaving my bat there and allowing the ball to bounce off. Also I could improve/change my overall game meaning that I stop being a lazy player in the small shots and guide the ball over the net this will therefore improving my overall game.
Give a training programme and actual ways you can correct your weakness; The best way in which I feel could be used into improving the forehand block is to practice a lot more on the shot, as I feel like I’m a very attacking player and lack any basics with my defensive shot therefore, practicing more on it will improve the basics and will help it to become a lot more advanced meaning it will be a lot more effective within a game.
Reasons for choice within the training programme
Continuously blocking balls with the forehand guiding them onto the table; This will therefore increase consistency on the shot, this is because I will be continually repeating the technique over and over again, and therefore meaning that I will eventually become more used to guiding the ball over the table, as it will become second nature.
Multi-ball, with vary spin to the forehand so that there I can see how much I have to judge the ball when I guide it; Using this within the training programme will bring me advantages of being able to judge the different spins within the game of table tennis. So doing this practice will allow me to judge the amount that I have to guide the ball over compared to the amount of spin which is on the ball, as if you guide a ball which contains a lot of spin, and you don’t guide it enough then it will go straight into the net, and if you guide and ball with speed to much then it will also go into the net, so this practice will allow me to improve on this.
Irregular practice, playing backhand pushes down the backhand till the opponent opens up to the forehand within a certain number of shots but is irregular so its random, then the shot is blocked via the forehand; This will therefore make me more alert to when the shot is played, this is because its irregular so its like it’s a game. Meaning that when I transfer this into a game it allows me to see to be able to complete the block as I will be more used to returning the shot even though I don’t know when its coming.
Game which involves a chop serve with a push to the forehand then opens up to the forehand, then block the ball back onto the table; This will increase my forehand block for when I play in a gaming situation, this is because this is about playing tactically in a game and so when I step up to a tournament, I’m able to complete the shot during the game.
Game up to 11; Will improve my shot, as its re creating a game situation.
Self analysis of technical/tactical weakness 1
Backspin Serve
Part C
Part 1 – cause of the weakness
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State what you still do well; With the shot what I feel I still do well with is that I still put some backspin on the serve just enough that a small amount of topspin on the ball from the opponent would result in them hitting the ball into the net, as the backspin would counteract the topspin.
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State what your weakness is; The weakness in which I have with the Backspin Serve is that I fail to get enough spin on the ball meaning that, if the opponent was returning my backspin serve with a large amount of topspin then the shot would come over the net and cause me large amounts of problems to try and cope with. Getting more spin on the ball would mean that if anyone was to try to topspin the ball, then the ball would just end up in the net, or if they push it back it would then give me the advantage meaning that I would be able to get the advantage with in the rally.
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State what the possible causes for this weakness and theory behind it; A possible cause for this is that I haven’t been taught the correct technique in order to get the flick of the wrist and get the correct hit on the ball, this is because during practice the more I flick my wrist to try and generate more backspin the less the service percentage is, although the spin in which I have on my serve currently is not enough to trouble the opponent. Another possible cause is that I do not throw the ball up high enough, my coach has told me that the higher the ball is thrown, it is easier to get more spin, this is because it gives you more time to get your bat in position as the ball is on its way down. Also as the ball is thrown up high it picks up more speed on the way down, so when it hits your bat face it means more spin will be created. A different way that could cause the weakness is that the rubber on my bat is either dead (no grip) or is not up to a good standard therefore meaning that it cant create any more spin than what is being currently created.
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State which one is best suited to and why; The one best suited to me is that I wasn’t taught the correct technique, this is because my coaches keep telling me to flick my wrist more vigorously but when I do this the ball tends to miss the table and never goes on. So a whole new technique needs to be learnt in order for me to get the desired amount of spin on the ball to make it hard for the opponents to return the ball.
Part 2
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Talk about ways you can correct weakness; Possible ways in which I can improve on the backspin serve, is that I could get a new coach, which will give me a new way of learning the technique and therefore improving the technique on the serve and allowing me to create more spin on the ball. Another way in which I can improve on is to throw the ball higher when I serve therefore hopefully meaning I can create more spin on the ball due to more speed being on the ball.
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Give a training programme and actually ways you would correct the weakness; I feel that the best one which suits me the most would be that I have the incorrect technique, therefore getting a new coach could change this, as it would allow me to learn the new technique which will then allow me to create new spins on the ball, via different learning techniques.
This will be a numerous number of balls which I will use to continually keep serving with backspin; This has been put into the training programme to allow me to be able to fully learn the technique under coach’s supervision. As doing this will allow me to see where I am going wrong as the coach can watch me closely and tell me what to do to improve on the technique. Also it will allow consistency of the serve, as I will continually be playing the shot over and over again meaning that the shot will become fixed in my head, meaning that I will automatically attempt the technique over and over again.
This will include Serving the ball backspin and there will be numerous targets on the table, where the ball should be hitting; This has been included into the training programme as it allows me to improve on the accuracy of the shot, this is because hitting targets which are placed everywhere on the table will show that I am capable of serving everywhere on the table and also allow me to do it consistently.
Play a backspin serve onto the table, where the opponent will play the ball back to the forehand then I play a forehand loop; This will improve my service consistency and accuracy as I am consecutively serving the ball into the backhand of the opponent, it will also allow me to explore options of attacking after the serve takes place, and playing a forehand loop is one of these.
Involving a game which involves back spin serves the playing the point out; Will improve the shot of the backspin serve as well as allowing me to get some experience and assessing my options of what sort of shots should be played after the serve has taken place.
Self analysis of Defensive Weakness 2
Forehand Push
Part C
Part 1 – cause of the weakness
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State what you still do well; Within the forehand push I still feel that there are some procedures within the shot in which I do well, such as leaning into the table with my right leg, if I didn’t do this and stayed where I was then I wouldn’t be able to reach the ball also if I was to lean in with my left leg it could leave my backhand side unprotected as it would be hard to shuffle my feet.
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State what your weakness is; The weakness of my Forehand push is that I fail to get into the table quick enough resulting in me missing the top of the bounce and that I usually connect with the ball when its on its way down from the bounce, therefore I have to hit it up to get over the net so it would be a lot easier for the opponent to return the ball. Also as I have to hit it up to get it above the net therefore means I cannot get any pace on the ball, as if there was pace on the ball it would make it harder for the opponent to return it as there will be less time for them to think about the shot meaning they may be forced to play a shot they usually wouldn’t, putting me on the front foot throughout the course of the rally.
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State what the possible causes for this weakness and theory behind it; A possible cause for my weakness is that, I’m not very disciplined in staying at the table during the game, I start to move back when I feel like I’m on the back foot of the rally. Therefore it means I have more of a distance to travel to get into the net to get the shot back. Also I can be a lazy player which therefore means I don’t get into the table when I could so therefore I give a return which is easier for the opponent to smash past me.
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State which one is best suited to and why; The possible cause which is best suited to me is that I move back when I feel like I’m on the back foot of the rally, this is because I feel like if I move back I create more time from my self to think about the shot that I will take, but this is not good, because to stay at the table you give the opponent less chance to react to the shot in which you play therefore meaning its hard for them to play consecutive good quality shots. Moving back therefore means that I will automatically struggle to get to a shot close to the net to use the forehand push as I have to travel a further distance to get to the shot.
- Part 2
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Talk about ways you can correct weakness; Some ways in which I could correct the weakness stated above is that, I set up a defensive training programme which involves me not being able to move away from the table, as this will then improve my overall game as well as already being at the table for when I need to take my forehand push. Another possible way in which I could correct the weakness is that, I could become a lot quicker this is because if I was backing off from the table to defend my self and I come to the forehand where I am able to take the forehand push, then improving my speed will be able to get me into the table quicker, therefore meaning that I am at the table in time in order to take an effective forehand push. Another possible way to correct the weakness is to change my style of play during the game, meaning that I become a lot more of an offensive player rather, than defend this will mean that I will rarely need the forehand push nor will I be pushed back from the table.
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Give a training programme and actually ways you would correct the weakness; The way in which I think will actually improve my weakness is by setting up a defensive training programme, as this will therefore improve my defence and there fore making me confident in staying at the table rather than moving off an losing the reliability of me moving back and therefore meaning when it comes to my forehand to take the shot I will already be at the table, to take the shot. Meaning my overall technique of the shot will improve. Due to it being played a large amount of times and during game times.
This will be continuous forehand push to forehand push rally’s; I chose this because this will increase a the consistency of the shot massively, and improve the overall technique of the shot. This will therefore give me more confidence within the shot and will make me use it more within games therefore improving my overall defence within the game.
This will be a variety of shots towards to forehand, so that I push the ball back meaning that im used to different variety of shots; This is in the training programme as it allows me to develop using the forehand against a range of different, spins and speed played against me. This will once again improve my confidence within the shot, making me use it more within a competitive match once again, improving my overall defensive shots.
This will be irregular practice, with topspin shots being played, till the opponent pushes one back, then I push that shot back; This will improve my consistent use of the shot, as if I was to play the ball, with my forehand push when I don’t know when its coming, then I will be used to it when im in a game therefore, meaning my overall defence would have increased.
Set up a barrier about 2ft back from the table, play a game up to 11, ensure that if I move back and touch the barrier the point is lost; This will make sure that I am up to the table and not backing off, therefore meaning that my overall defence of the game will be kept consistent as moving back from the table will decrease my defence as the opponent will have more time to think about the shot played from me, making it harder for me to catch the opponent of guard.
A game up to 11 only using only forehand pushes; This will increase consistency of the shots this is because I will continually be doing the shot over and over again, therefore meaning that the shot technique will be maintained throughout being played.
A game up to 11; Doing this within practice will increase my knowledge of playing the forehand shots within game play situations therefore my overall defence within a game will be increased.
Self analysis of Technical/Tactical Weakness 2
Reading serves from opponent
Part C
Part 1 – cause of the weakness
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State what you still do well; Within reading the opponents serve what I still do well is get into position, with bending my knees, this is because bending my knees will get me low to the table and therefore will be in a comfortable position to play every shot, therefore no matter what spin the opponent will put on the ball I will be in a comfortable position to play it. Also I stand more on the backhand side of the table as this will allow me to play more of the shots with my forehand and as this being my stronger side, it will mean that I will find it more comfortable to return the ball when it is needed to be returned.
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State what your weakness is; My weakness within reading the opponents serve is that I fail to concentrate on the opponents bat and fail to recognise the spin they put on the ball. This is because I mainly concentrate on the ball rather than the bat, so I always miss the movement of the bat. Therefore when they put the ball onto the table I will usually play the wrong shot resulting in the ball popping up on their side of the table for them to smash the ball past me, or the ball will end up in the net or off the edge of the table.
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State what the possible causes for this weakness and theory behind it; The possible causes for the weakness which is stated above is that I have a lack of concentration when I should be looking at the bat, I look at the ball as it distracts me therefore means me missing out on looking at the direction the opponents bat. Another possible reason is that I get distracted when the opponent throws the ball up, or distracted by something in the background therefore by the time I look back to the table the opponent has already played the shot and so I attempt to return the ball and end up losing out on the point available.
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State which one is best suited to and why; The cause which is most suited to me is that I get distracted and therefore do not focus on the bat when I should be focusing on it. This therefore means that I do not see what sort of spin the ball has on it and so therefore the opponent will have the edge within the point. Also watching the ball from the very start of the point will give a timing edge, but as I do not do this, I rush the shot as well, therefore the spin from the opponent makes me struggle as well as me rushing the shot also
- Part 2
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Talk about ways you can correct weakness; Ways in which I could correct the weakness is by setting up training programmes which will allow me keep my concentration and get less distracted, this could be done by making the stimuli I need to concentrate stand out a lot more by giving it a different colour, this will therefore make me concentrate on it a lot more that anything else which could possibly be going on elsewhere around the table. Another possible correctness is by setting up a number of distractions around the table, so that I can attempt to channel them out so that I am just focusing on the bat and nothing else meaning that if I was to go into a tournament and there was a distraction in the background it would mean that I would be able to channel it out and focus on what is more important within the game.
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Give a training programme and actually ways you would correct the weakness; The actual way in which I can correct the weakness is by setting up a training programme which allow me to concentrate a lot more on the bat, therefore making the bat stand out a lot more, meaning it will stand out and therefore will concentrate a lot more on the bat and not anything else around the table.
Involving highlighting the bat, with a bright colour, such as a pink rubber, whilst the opponent serves, meaning that I will concentrate on this rather than any other stimuli; This will the outline the stimuli which I need to focus on, therefore it will make me concentrate more on the bat, and not anything else which could be going on around the table. Also doing this will allow me to get to grips of returning serves which contain different spins and speeds.
This will be the opponent playing a variety of serves on the table, in which I will try and read and return the ball; This will allow me to start returning different balls containing different amounts of spin meaning that I can consistently be able to return the serves of different balls.
Involving the coach making some distractions in the background, whilst the opponent serves, and I will have to try and block out the ongoing distraction within the background to watch the bat; Doing this will allow me to be able to concentrate of the bat instead of the ball, also this will allow me to start coping whilst there are a lot of distractions around me meaning that my focus will be completely on the opponent.
A game which the opponent only serves therefore allowing me to get used to watching the opponents bat during a game situation; Doing this will allow me to be able to learn how to return a ball whilst under a game play situation. Allowing me realise how to return the ball and be able to keep the rally gain so that I am on top throughout.
A game where we will both serve but there will be a lot of distractions going on in the background which I will need to block out; This will allow me to recreate a gaming situation whilst there are distractions going on. Meaning that when I play I will have to block these out to be able to concentrate and play the point out. This will then improve my blocking out when I’m actually taking part within a tournament.
Game up to 11; Will allow me to use the techniques which I picked up within the practices I have taken part within and therefore allowing me to see if improvements have taken place. Also I will be able to be to practice returning serves whilst under the gaming pressures.
This will be a game where the opponents bat will be a distinct stimuli therefore giving me a chance to easily recognise the bat meaning I will concentrate on them more; This will allow me to distinctly recognise the opponents bat whilst in a game situation, therefore allowing me to incorporate it into my game.
Self analysis of Attacking Weakness 2 –
Forehand Topspin (Loop) down the line
Part C
Part 1 – cause of the weakness
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State what you still do well; What I still do well with in the forehand topspin down the line is that I manage to get into position to be able to play the shot, and that I get there early also. I also close my bat face so then when I hit the ball topspin is applied, I also judge bounce very well enabling me to be able to hit the ball straight down rather than up over the net.
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State what your weakness is; My weakness is that I do not twist quick enough to so that when I connect with the ball my body is not facing the right direction therefore meaning that the shot is not played down the line like it was intended to but instead is either played to the middle of the table or to the opposite corner.
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State what the possible causes for this weakness and theory behind it; Possible causes for having the above weakness of forehand topspin down the line is that I fail to judge the speed of the ball so that when I am in position I am ready to take the shot but not ready for the speed that the ball will be coming over the table at, so therefore I twist my hips to slow for the specification of the ball. Another possible reason is that my technique is incorrect this is because I may be doing something wrong within the technique therefore making me twist my hips slowly meaning that I am not able to connect with the ball when I should be. A different possible cause for my weakness is that I don’t prepare psychologically for the shot, this is because when I get into position I start to think that this is the incorrect time to be taking the shot therefore doubting my self will decrease the confidence in my shot and meaning that I am unable to complete the shot due to not having confidence within it. Another possible cause is that I have the correct technique but I have picked up a possible clause within the twisting of my hips which make me twist slowly but could be eliminated from my technique and the shot would still be playable, and eliminating this will make my technique a lot quicker.
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State which one is best suited to and why; I feel that the best possible cause which is most suited to me, is that I have a clause within my technique which slows my whole technique down, this is because I feel that I completely feel that I have to come straight onto the table but within the technique I do not have to do this and will still be able to complete the shot, so taking this out will decrease the time spent preparing for the shot, meaning that when the ball comes over the table I am more than ready meaning that when I twist my hips I am in time with the ball, regardless of the speed on the ball.
- Part 2
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Talk about ways you can correct weakness; In order to correct the weakness which is stated above I could do several things, some of these are; I could do a number of practices which mainly focus on the position that I need to get in to complete the forehand topspin down the line, these practices will be without the ball, and so therefore meaning that I can mainly focus on getting into position for the shot to take place and then later into the practices when I feel that I have got the position correct I can then move on to practicing with the ball. Another possible reason will be to get a new coach, this is because they may have taught me the incorrect technique during practice meaning that when I am completing the shot I will carry on completing this technique over and over again.
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Give a training programme and actually ways you would correct the weakness; Actual ways in which I could correct the weakness of having the wrong technique is by doing a number of practices which mainly focus on the position in which I need to get into so that I can complete the shot of the forehand topspin down the line, doing all these practices will mean that I start to get into a habit of getting into position correctly and quickly therefore meaning that I have plenty of time to complete the rest of the shot, so therefore I can twist my hips in time and the shot will be played down the line rather than anywhere else across the table.
Reasons for choosing the above choices within the table;
This will involve no ball nor bat, but will be all about getting into position, coach will give a signal, and will involve me getting into position whilst he times it; This will allow me to get the position to take the shot, making sure that it is correct. Also as he is timing me it allows me to get there a lot quicker and improve my overall time of getting into position so therefore when im taking the shot in the future, I can get to position early giving me a lot more time for the rest of the shot, such as twisting the hips to get the shot played.
This will involve the ball and bat, it will be like the Monday test but involving a ball, will see if my position is getting better and therefore will allow me to play the shot onto the table correctly; this will improve consistency of the shot as it will allow me to play the shot over and over again, this will improve the technique of the shot. Another reasons for having this choice is that I will be getting into position regularly so therefore improving my consistency of correctness of the position needed to take the shot.
This will just be a multi ball session where I will remain in position and the coach will play a number of balls to the backhand side where I will attempt to play the shot down the line; This will improve consistency of the shot which I am playing this is because I will constantly be playing the shot and so therefore the technique will be embedded and I will automatically play the correct technique as it will be a habit.
Playing an actual match up to 11, but when ever a ball comes to the backhand a topspin down the line must be attempted; This will improve my match consistency of the shot, allowing me to see when the best time to play the shot is. This will then make my game a lot more attacking overall, also the shot will improve eventually as I will be using it a lot more.
Game up to 11; will improve my knowledge of when to use the shots within a game
This will be “killer”, which is about 3 different balls being played, one to the backhand one to the middle and one to the forehand, where a forehand topspin shot has to be attempted with each shot played; Will improve my forehand topspin all around the table, but most importantly will improve me getting into position quickly and being able to move off to take another shot.
Playing a game which involves a backspin serve to the forehand push to the backhand side where I have to open up down the line, then play the point out, and the game will be played up to 11; Will improve the overall technique and will allow me to get into position quicker to take the shot, as well as giving me knowledge when the best time to take the shot would be whilst in a gaming situation