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How To Improve Your Table Tennis/Ping-Pong Without A Coach

By Greg Letts, About.com

Reader Comments

Larry Thoman (of Newgy Industries, maker of the Robo-Pong), writes:

Greg,

One thing you left out on your "How To Improve Your Table Tennis/Ping-Pong Without A Coach" article is the use of table tennis robots. One of the biggest advantages of a robot is that it provides a consistent, high quality shot to practice against. Without a consistent ball, from a coach, an experienced practice partner, or a robot, it's virtually impossible to improve one's strokes.

And if a coach isn't available, then the likelihood of an experienced practice partner is pretty slim also. Two inexperienced practice partners generally end up chasing the ball as much or more than actually hitting the ball. But a robot solves this problem very nicely--it's available to anyone, anywhere there is a table and electricity.

Now I'm not promoting the robot as a better option to a coach or practice partner, but it's certainly the best choice if those first two options aren't available. I generally recommend assembling as many resources as can be added to one's training program. The more options one has, the better the chances for improvement. A coach, an experienced practice partner, and a robot all have advantages and disadvantages. If a player has all three options avialable, and uses these resources wisely, that player greatly increases the likelihood of improving his/her skills.

Just thought I'd mention what to me is an oversight in an otherwise well-written article. Thanks.

Larry

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