Lesson Two
 Stroke Introduction

Novice players, when training, should consider the primary aims of the exercise, which are to play with:

• Control
• Accuracy
• Consistency
• Good Placement

To gain control of the ball, the player should start with a short stroke against a slow ball, playing the ball at the peak of the bounce or when the ball bounces higher than the height of the net. Striking the ball over the table or when it is about to pass the end line of the table, and not waiting for the ball to pass the end line considerably before striking the ball. The player should think of guiding the ball rather than hitting it hard. All exercises should be played from right to right of the table for playing forehand drive and from left to the left side of the table for playing backhand drive.
Factors Affecting Strokes:

1. Form
2. Stance
3. Speed
4. Spin
5. Timing
6. Table Position
7. Type of Stroke

Forehand Slow Drive:
The player should consider the following points:

• The whole movement consists of the ready position, backswing, swing forward to strike the ball, and follow through. It should be done in one movement and not in stages.
• The feet should be placed slightly wider than the length of the shoulder, with the left foot slightly nearer to the table.
• The angle of the playing arm at the elbow should be about 90 degrees with some space between the arm and the body.
• The non-playing arm should be approximately parallel to the playing arm.
• The speed of the ball should be slow or medium with little spin at the beginning.
• The ball should be struck at its peak of bounce or if it bounced up just higher than the height of the net.
• The ball should be played just as it is passing the end line of the table or over the table.
• The player's backswing and forward swing should be with the movement of the body from the trunk, using knee rotation.
• The follow-through rotation of the playing arm should not be too much to the left of the body.
• The bat angle should be closed, and make sure to press the ball down according to the height of the ball to prevent the ball from going out.
• Your eyes should track the ball when leaving the opponent’s bat to your bat when striking it. In this way, you can see the height of the ball, direction, and also the degree of your bat angle.

Until the next time
Play right
Javad

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