Finding Practice Partners in Table Tennis

 Finding practice partners for table tennis can be a challenge, especially as a woman.    Everything starts at the top.  It took me four tries to discover a place where people watched me taking private lessons and then invited me to play.  I stuck with it and studied the top athletes while they practiced.

Many players believe that playing with someone who is at a lower level than they are is a waste of time.  They avoid “beginners” like the plague.  I disagree.  I look for people who are exact, calm, healthy and focused.  They usually learn the skills quickly, or are willing to practice drills for accuracy.  They are mature and relaxed, not reactive and angry.

If you are playing with someone newer to the sport than you are, you can still loop their serves, work on your attack shots, flick the short balls, and smash the medium balls.  You have to look for the opportunity and incorporate their natural strengths.   Sometimes I will make up an exercise that suits the partner’s natural abilities.  It could be a good arm, speed, agility, excellent serves, or solid blocks.   They are using what they do well, and you can work on your weaknesses.

I recently was asked by a guy standing across the floor at my club, “Hey! Do you want to hit?”  “Definitely,” I thought.  We warmed up with very long forehand and backhand rallies, in unison.  I told him that my coach wants me to practice games, but that I knew he could easily beat me.  He suggested, “How about if we play a game, but I won’t attack?”  I was so pleased.  How thoughtful.  The style he played was soft balls, and I felt disoriented.  My coach challenges me with hard, fast, high spin shots.  This was far less pressure and demand.  It felt foreign, and my body wasn’t sure what to do.  I mentally reminded myself to loop and use topspin. 

We had some excellent rallies, and although he still beat me all three games,  we were both challenged and enjoyed the workout.  Finding a person who is creative, loves to play, and doesn’t display arrogance is key.  You want people who see your potential, and recognize your discipline.    I look for the artistic types.  They are constantly growing and learning.  Their focus is on improvement, not on demeaning you.  

I have some photos from the US Open that Blogger is not allowing me to post.  Have any of you fellow bloggers encountered this?  I used to hit a tab that allowed cookies, but it is no longer appearing.

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