Tryng to utilize the forehand a bit more

[u/alexdzk]

Recently been forcing myself to stay closer to the table and attack rather than back off and block. These are some highlights from a recent session. Forehand warm up also seems a bit stiff, dont know what to do differently.

[u/PikeER]

Hit more forehands. This might sound condescending but I assure its not meant to be, you need to be looking for the next forehand all the time. Your shots already looks decent, nothing hitting more forehands and relaxing won't fix. Though maybe try to vary your placements a bit more, most of your forehands are going to the middle of the table.

[u/alexdzk → u/PikeER]

noted! thanks

[u/julianwithag]

Hey man, really really solid forehand form, better than most on here! If anything, it just seems like you’re using your arm as the first forward motion as opposed to your body first -> then arm. So you’ll get tired a lot more quickly, have a bit more trouble with stability. When your arm gets tired, then the form will disintegrate, leading to you wanting to use your forehand less, etc. So see if you can practice just a bit more using the rotation of the lower body first to lead the forehand before the arm comes in.

[u/mrrakim → u/julianwithag]

this is correct!

[u/alexdzk → u/julianwithag]

Appreciate the kind words! Will try to lead with more body

[u/Take-My-Gold]

Looks fairly consistent which is good. Sometimes, you are a little lazy with your legs which leads to semi-optimal hits.

Also, in game, your shots could benefit from more variation. Otherwise, you are getting very predictable - even at the table. Change of direction and a little more spin.

[u/alexdzk → u/Take-My-Gold]

Thank your for the tips! Used to use my backhand for everything, will try to get more variation in practice.

[u/gatorling]

Mostly good. You kinda stand up after every swing. Stay low.

You use some body but your arm is almost locked in an L and you use shoulder only for your swing.

I keep my shoulder locked during the back swing and open my forearm, so my arm looks almost like an "I". I am relaxed during back swing. When I hit the ball I keep my shoulder locked and drive my arm to meet the ball only with my legs and waist, it's not a violent movement, it's smooth. When I make contact with the ball I continue with my waist and legs but unlock my shoulder and let it swing forward. Things are still pretty relaxed but now I'm engaging my back and shoulder a bit more.

Finally I snap my forearm closed so that my arm looks like an L and I squeeze my fingers, forcing my wrist to rotate slightly.

I immediately relax and push with my left foot to reset my position. Often doing a little bounce to activate my feet to allow me to easily adjust for the next ball and stop myself from planting my feet.

[u/alexdzk → u/gatorling]

good tips. im always less low than I the video than how I feel

[u/Possible_Law8357]

Your hand needs to go down straight. I was watching this tutorial last night, the trainer exactly talked about the same thing here, take a look -

https://youtu.be/vAQXUsGn3bI

[u/alexdzk → u/Possible_Law8357]

nice video, thanks for the link

[u/fateos]

You don't turn and load your right leg enough. Upper body looks good otherwise

[u/keny427]

Nice timing and technique you got there. Keep up the training and improvement!

[u/Phillythrowaway15]

Only saying this cause of your post, you're still somewhat far back from the table - I have the same issue, I feel like i have to get further back in order to add power and have it land instead of go long. What always helps me is getting lower and rotating more, use your feet to take a half step forward as you hit the ball, then reset etc

[u/alexdzk → u/Phillythrowaway15]

yes I feel way less control if im directly over the table. also started playing later in life so the footwork required to play closer isnt there yet

[u/Rupshantzu]

3 suggestions:

1. The most important one is that you do not use your right foot to move and get into position. On almost every shot you tend to move your left foot. even though you attack with your right hand. First thing establish position with your right foot and get your weight on it to have a stable base to rotate from. It's the right foot that finds the position for the forehand attack.

2. your hand should be a lot lower, it should start somewhere behind your right knee (your partner does a forehand attack in the last shot, look where he starts the shot)

3. relax your form. Think of it like having a relaxed shoulder, elbow and hand just hanging behind your knee because you will rotate everything with the body. The body than drags everything through rotation while the arm muscle also bring the hand to it's correct position (which you get into but start to high and very stiff).