Two More Tips For The Day

Train your strokes until they are "automatic." When you first learn a new skill, you use a lot of mental energy to formulate a clear mental picture of how the stroke looks and feels. Once this mental picture is relatively accurate, you should then practice that skill repeatedly until you no longer have to think about how to do it. This is your “automatic stage”. Your best performance will come when you operate on “automatic” and you do not analyze your skill. You just “let it happen.”

Use only your own racket. It’s important to get your own racket and then to use it exclusively. Every racket has its own “feel” and playing characteristics, and you will benefit greatly by using only one racket so you’re not always trying to adapt to a different one. Also, take good care of your racket; treat it with respect. Keep it in a case when you’re not using it. If you’re using inverted sponge rubber (smooth surface), you should wash it with soap and water or a special racket cleaner after every use.

These Boys Need Be Our Inspiration!

U.S. OPEN TABLE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Ping-Pong balls fly by

National event has international flare

DIANA NI

dni@charlotteobserver.com

CHRISTOPHER A. RECORD - crecord@charlotteobserver.com

Alex Yao, 10, serves while playing doubles with his brother Wednesday at the Charlotte Convention Center.

More photos

• VIDEO: 2006 U.S. Open Table Tennis Championships

More than 500 international athletes are smashing Ping-Pong balls at each other at the Charlotte Convention Center, where the 2006 U.S. Open Table Tennis Championships are being held Wednesday to Saturday.

The tournament draws table tennis enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds who travel from as far as Yugoslavia and Venezuela to Korea and China to compete for prize money and ratings in 59 events.

The Next Two Tips As Promised!

6 Games Today so far! What about you?

The discipline of repetition is essential to the game of ping pong. One of the cardinal rules that is often overlooked is simply play every day.

Here are a couple of additional tips for your viewing pleasure. I plan to collect all the tips and tricks together and will let everyone know how to get hold of this information in one bundle but for now enjoy the grapes and apply what you can!


Use your whole body when you stroke your forehand. Make sure that you rotate your hips and shoulders backwards during the backswing and then forward into the ball as you stroke your forehand. This motion is coordinated with a transfer of your body weight from the back foot to the front foot. The harder you hit your forehand, the more forceful your weight transfer must be. A common forehand mistake is to use only your arm to hit the ball, which severely limits your power and consistency.

Maintain a good ready position. A good ready position is balanced and prepares your body to move instantly in any direction. Use it when preparing to return serves and between strokes. The basic sequence of a rally is as follows: (A) put yourself in a good ready position, (B) move to the ball with your feet, staying balanced, (C) stroke the ball, (D) return to ready position, and (E) repeat B, C, and D until the rally ends.

Wishing you the best in playing today's game,

Pongomaster Mike

Ping Ping Worldwide...The Fever is Everywhere

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