First we started warming up so that we were nice and loose and ready to do the drills. For the warm up we just started rallying with each other using any type of shot just getting used to the ball. We done this for about 5 – 10 Minutes before moving onto the main activity and skill based exercise.
In the main activity we focused on one main skill, the Serve.
The first part of the serve is to position yourself, keep your knees bent shoulder width apart, with both feet identically opposite each other and make sure your body is side on to the table and your opponent.This is so that you are in the easiest and most comfortable position when serving.
When hitting the ball on the serve stand close to the table and take a stance facing the line of play. The ball must rest on an open hand palm. Then it must be tossed up at least 6 inches and struck so the ball first bounces on the server’s side and then the opponent’s side. This is because when trying to do hit the ball your opponent needs to be able to see the ball but it also allows you to have a clear shot of the ball as well instead of hitting your ball holding hand with the bat. If the serve is legal but it touches the net, it is called a let serve. Let serves are not scored and are reserved.
After getting used to the serve we added in some mats in which we used as targets. One person would serve and aim for the mat across from them and then the other person would catch the ball. Then the other person would have a go. We did this for a while so that then our accuracy of the serve would improve. After a while it was then turned into a competition in which allowed us to try harder to hit the mat allowing our technique to improve.
Serve Technique:
1. Stand on one side of the table
2. Hold the table tennis bat in one hand. It should be held in your strongest hand. Hold the table tennis ball in the opposite hand.
3. Place the opposite foot to the hand in which holds the bat forward, facing the table.
4. Toss the ball into the air at about chest level. If your stance is correct, your front should not be facing directly towards your opponent. The ball should fall downwards in front of you if you tossed it straight up
5. Strike the ball as it comes down in front of you. You should strike slightly below the ball. Make sure you account for the ball’s acceleration downwards. As you hit the ball, you should hit it in a forward.
The Serve from Sam Ainsworth on Vimeo.
Leave a Reply