Check What They Want
The first thing to do is make sure you know what they are after when weaker players ask for some of your time. Some may simply want to give a better player a game for the fun of it, or to judge their standard against yours. Others may be hoping that you can give them some tips to help them with their own play. And there are those that may be thinking that they are better than you, and be out to prove it!So, assuming that the person asking you is quite a bit weaker than you are, ask them what they would like to do. If they are looking for a serious game of table tennis, give them one. Some people say that you should play as hard as you can, while others say that you should let them play a few rallies and have some fun. I personally am of the second school of thought - show them some of your best stuff to give them an idea of what can be done, and then let them have a few rallies so that they can enjoy themselves. Those opponents who want you to play hard all the time will let you know straight away if they think you are taking it easy.
If they are looking to improve their game or get some tips, then you can ask them whether they would mind if you use the time to do some training in return for giving them some help and advice. If they are agreeable, then there are many things you can do that will help them learn something and enjoy themselves while you still get some training done.
What Do You Want to Do Today?
Provided you have a weaker player that is willing to let you train in exchange for some help, you have a wealth of options at your disposal. Possible choices include:- Play to their strengths, and avoid their weaknesses. By allowing your opponent to play his best game against you, you will be forced to work harder at your own game, and be forced to look for other ways to win than just the obvious. You are in effect lifting your opponent's level to that of his best shots - which can really make you work hard.
Imagine your opponent is a good blocker but weak against pushed balls. By sticking to mainly topspin returns, you will improve your game against blocks and be forced to find a way to penetrate his blocking using only your topspin game - which can be useful when you are playing another good player who blocks well but doesn't have any obvious weaknesses.
- Playing only with your forehand side. You will have to use good footwork and smart tactics to avoid getting caught out on your backhand too often.
- Combination bat players might like to try playing only with their normal side, but allow themselves to twiddle the bat.
- Play to the same location for your opponent. By playing only to his forehand, your opponent has a much better idea where the ball will be going, and should be able to prepare much more easily. Against better weaker players (!? - oh, you know what I mean!) you can serve and return the ball to the same location, then play out the point.
- Serve only no-spin balls, or only long serves. This works well for an opponent who can play strokes but can't return serves well.
- Serve only one type of serve - this allows you to practice your serve and allows your opponent to know what type of serve to expect.
- Serve a side-topspin and side-backspin variation of the same serve - you get to practice your serve, and your opponent gets to practice reading serves without having too many services to worry about.
- Refuse to push. By using flicks and topspin shots only, you will make it easier for your opponent to attack you and put you under pressure.
- Refuse to attack - an option for defensive players.
