Table Tennis Training with a Robot

A boxer with slow reflexes would not be a very successful boxer. A golfer with poor hand-eye coordination would be extremely frustrated on the golf course. A basketball player lacking agility would have a difficult time maneuvering past clusters of other players in an attempt to score a basket. Table tennis is an activity that can help people to improve their game-play in other sports. Athletes from across the sports universe have been introduced to table tennis as a tool that can be used to help them stay at the top of their own game, whatever that may be. Athletes can use table tennis robots as an effective tool for practicing and improving the skills that are important to their success.

Using a table tennis robot as a tool to train for other sports is economical and convenient. Robots range in price from a few hundred dollars to over one thousand dollars. Table tennis robots typically have different programs and settings that athletes can use to improve their reflexes and hand-eye coordination skills. Athletes can begin at a slower setting and increase the speed at which the robot serves each ball in order to improve their response time. Choosing to have the robot serving multiple balls in a quick succession, at different trajectories can help athletes to develop their reflexes and hand-eye coordination skills. Athletes will become more agile as they frequently move from one area of the table to another to return each serve.

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson enjoy competing against one another on the golf course and over the table tennis table. To them, table tennis is a source of relaxation and social interaction. They may or may not realize the value of the game they enjoy as a hobby. Golf requires extreme concentration, so does table tennis. As the saying goes, “practice makes perfect”. Tiger and Phil are practicing several skills when they play table tennis. Not only are they reinforcing their ability to concentrate regardless of distraction or level of pressure, but table tennis also helps them to improve and maintain their hand-eye coordination skills, another important component of a successful golf game. By using a table tennis robot, these two top golf professionals can continue to enjoy table tennis as a method of relaxation, while at the same time maintaining the skills that help them to stay at the top of their game, even when they do not have a table tennis partner.

A basketball player using a table tennis robot is going to learn to anticipate each serve and her reflexes will improve as she responds with accurate returns. With a more advanced program, her agility will increase as she moves to respond to multiple serves at different trajectories. By heightening these skills, her level of play on the basketball court will improve. Her brain will be sharp and she will be better able to respond to her opponents actions. Her increased agility will help her to fight her way down the court and her developed hand-eye coordination will help her to maintain control of the ball. A boxer using a table tennis robot is going to learn to have quicker response times to each serve. He is going to become more agile and his reflexes are going to improve. This translates to the boxer have quicker response times, faster reflexes, and more agility in the ring.

No matter what sport you play, practicing against a table tennis robot is a great way to improve your athletic ability.

Thank you for visiting TableTennis.com!  We encourage you to continue browsing through our site for more articles about table tennis games and table tennis clubs and for lots of great table tennis videos.  For more information on how to improve your table tennis game (whether you’re playing indoor table tennis or outdoor table tennis), visit our eBay Table Tennis Store where you can learn about the Newgy Robo-Pong table tennis robot.  Visit Newgy.com for more information straight from the manufacturer on how to play table tennis with this robot.

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Part 3 of our video series on the new digital table tennis training robot, the Newgy Robo-Pong 2050.

In this video, table tennis instructor Brian Pace shows you how to add digital power to a brand new digital Newgy Robo-Pong 2050 table tennis robot.

Thank you for visiting TableTennis.com!  We encourage you to continue browsing through our site for more articles about table tennis games and table tennis clubs and for lots of great table tennis videos.  For more information on how to improve your table tennis game (whether you’re playing indoor table tennis or outdoor table tennis), visit our eBay Table Tennis Store where you can learn about the Newgy Robo-Pong table tennis robot.  Visit Newgy.com for more information straight from the manufacturer on how to play table tennis with this robot.

Popularity: 92%

Top rated table tennis athletes dedicate a significant amount of time to training. They understand the benefit of putting in hours of practice time and know that the players at the top of the game are there because of their commitment to training. Athletes will generally train with a partner, coach, or training robot. Repetition is a good way to isolate any mistakes that need to be corrected. Repeatedly practicing the same stroke, such as your backhand or your table tennis serve, will enable a player to get a feel for the correct way to respond to the ball.

Backhand training is an essential aspect of any training program. Without a solid backhand, an athlete will find it difficult to advance beyond an intermediate level of play. A number of coaches believe the backhand push is one of the first strokes a player should learn. This stroke can stop your opponent from making an attacking stroke against you.

Try to make your shot short over the net, resulting in two bounces before the ball reaches your opponent. To prepare for the backhand push, position yourself close to the table and face the line of play. Your racket arm will move from the elbow in a short stroke while your free arm points towards the ball, helping you to keep your balance. Return the ball when it is at its highest point using half of your stroke action before striking the ball and half after making contact. Hitting the ball on the back bottom area will give a small amount of backspin.

Another aggressive stroke intended to prevent your opponent from attacking is the backhand drive. This shot is a good return when your opponent’s serve approaches you with height or depth. To stop your opponent, try to make sure your shot lands next to your opponent’s sideline or baseline.  To prepare for this stroke, position yourself close to the table and face the line of play. Move your racket arm forward and slightly up towards the direction the ball will travel. Point your free arm towards the ball to help maintain balance. Keep your racket angle slightly closed and your wrist loose in order to create topspin when you move your arm forward. Strike the ball at its highest point using half of your stroke action before striking the ball and half after making contact.

The backhand loop is another stroke used to prevent your opponent from attacking. When you first attempt the backhand loop you should position yourself close to the table, facing the line of play. Once you get comfortable with the backhand loop, you will be able to stand further from the table, giving yourself additional reaction time to respond to your opponent’s serve. The backhand loop stroke utilizes a medium stroke speed. Move your racket forward and up in the direction you want the ball to travel. Keep your free arm pointed toward the ball to help you maintain your balance and assist with your body turn. Use all three joints of your racket arm to create maximum spin. Push strongly with your legs to put emphasis on your body movement. Keep racket angle slightly closed to add topspin. Keeping your wrist loose will help to generate additional spin. Strike the ball when it is at its highest point, exerting half of your stroke action before hitting the ball and the other half after you strike. Direct your hit so that the ball lands by your opponent’s sideline or baseline.

Many training materials exist to help you make the most of your game. Whichever training method you decide to try it is important to remain positive and practice regularly. Focus on the strokes that turn out well and train yourself to remember what you did that resulted in the successful stroke. Do not waste energy dwelling on mistakes. Enjoy yourself, focus, commit, and you will find your table tennis skills improving.

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Newgy Industries is a leading manufacturer of table tennis robots.  There are currently five models offered on the Newgy website, three are available now and two new digital models will be available to ship in fall 2009. One of the most beneficial features of the Newgy line of table tennis robots is that users can purchase a robot that will meet their current needs and have the option to purchase an upgrade kit for their robots once their skills advance. The upgraded robot will perform the same functions as the model it is intended to replicate. Newgy robot owners will never lose money on their initial investments because Newgy upgrade kits allow them to modify their first robot to continue meeting their needs.

The Robo-Pong 1040 is Newgy’s intermediate level robot. It is currently available for purchase with a price of $359. The 1040 is a valuable training tool for table tennis players who are ready for a challenging training program. The Robo-Pong 1040 features a ball thrower with oscillation for a more varied training program.

Newgy has plans to release the Robo-Pong 1050 later this fall. The 1050 will offer the same features as the 1040 plus several exciting advancements. New digital controls will add an easy means of controlling the exact training specifications users choose to set. Users are able to regulate ball speed, wait time, and the landing spot of each serve. The 1050 also features a PC Mode which enables the user to create and save drills to run from their PC. The intelligent design of this table tennis robot allows for drills to run adhering to specific settings for left-handed players or right-handed players. The 1050 also comes pre-programmed with 64 drills stored in memory. The Robo-Pong 1050 is priced at $395.

The Robo-Pong 2040 is Newgy’s creation for serious table tennis players. The 2040 can do everything the 1040 can and then some. The 2040 has a ball recycling feature which extends the time of each training session. The recycling net captures balls after your returns and restores them to the ball containment area to be served over and over again. Robo-Pong 2040 is priced at $695.

Newgy’s ultimate table tennis robot will be available for purchase in the fall of 2009 for a price of $795. Compared to other table tennis training robots on the market, this price is a true bargain considering all of the features that this robot offers. The Robo-Pong 2050 offers the same features as the 1050 in addition to other advancements. The 2050 features a recycling net system that catches your returns and recycles the balls for continuous play. By utilizing the digital controls users are able to set exact specifications for their training session. Normal Mode provides for manual control over each individual function.

Newgy Industries table tennis training robots can meet you where you are. Determine your training goals and your ideal budget, and then choose the best fit for you.

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The basic rules of casual table tennis are quite simple; two or four players hit a ball back and forth over a net. Points are earned when an opponent fails to return the ball. The first side to score eleven points, with a two point lead, is declared the winner. Once players decide to play at a more competitive level, the rules become more complex and are enforced with more consistency. In an effort to keep the game fair, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) constantly reviews and makes changes to the rules. For the most up-to-date guidelines be sure the visit the ITTF website.

A player’s racket must be black on one side and red on the other. This is true whether the player is using rubber on one side or both sides of their blade. Rubber sheets must be approved by the ITTF. These are authenticated by having both the ITTF logo and the manufacturer’s logo or trademark visible on the blade, typically above the handle. The rubber must be free of tears and chips that could significantly affect game play. Tears and chips may be acceptable as long as they do not impact the way the ball plays after it hits the imperfection in question. The umpire of the match has the discretion to determine if a rubber is legal or illegal. If you challenge his ruling the referee will make the final decision about eligibility. Once your table tennis racket is selected for a match, you cannot change rackets unless it becomes badly damaged, at which point you will need permission to make a substitution. When a change is made after a game has started, you will be required to present the new racket for review by your opponent and the umpire.

The net used for a match must consistently measure 15.25 cm above the playing surface from one end of the net to the other. The bottom of the net should be as close to the playing surface as possible. The ends of the net should be as close to the supporting posts as possible. The playing surface is to be rectangular and measure 2.74m long and 1.525m wide. It is to be positioned horizontally 76cm above the floor. The playing surface can be constructed of any material as long as it yields a uniform bounce of approximately 23cm when a table tennis ball is dropped onto the table from a height of 30cm. The playing surface must be uniformly dark colored with white side lines and must have a matte finish.

A regulation table tennis ball must be a sphere with a diameter of 40mm. It must weigh 2.7g. Balls are to be constructed of celluloid or similar plastic material. They can be orange or white but must have a matte finish.

Official rules specify that the winner of a match is the player who wins three out of five games. To be proclaimed the winner of a game, a player must score eleven points and have a two point lead. A point is awarded if a player’s opponent does not make a good service or a good return; if after a good service or good return, the ball touches anything other than the net assembly before being hit by the opponent; if the ball goes beyond his end line and does not touch the court after being hit by the opponent; if the opponent obstructs the ball or double hits the or hits with a side of the racket with a surface that does not meet requirements; if the opponent or anything the opponent wears or carries moves the playing surface or touches the net assembly; if the opponent’s free hand touches the playing surface while the ball is in play; or if the doubles opponent strikes the ball out of the sequence that was established by the first server and first receiver. No point is awarded if the rally results in a let. A let results when a ball is served and the other player and his partner, if playing doubles, are not ready and do not attempt to hit the ball; a ball that is served well hits the net assembly; if failure to successfully complete a service or return is the result of a disturbance which is outside of the player’s control; or if play is interrupted by the umpire or referee.

Each player serves two points in a row before serving position changes. If a game is tied with a score of 10-10, each player will serve one point before serving position changes. After each game the players change table sides. In the final game, players rotate sides when the first player earns five points. For a serve to be considered legal the ball must remain above the level of the playing surface and in view of the server’s opponent. The ball must rest in the server’s stationary palm and be tossed in the air at least six inches before being struck. The ball can only be struck when it is on the way down from the toss and must be struck so that it first bounces on the server’s side and then the opponent’s side. If a serve is not legal the umpire can call a fault against the server. The umpire is not required to issue a warning but if they do, they will only issue one.

Want to train to be the best table tennis player you can be?  Consider adding a table tennis robot to your table tennis training regimen.  When you have a robot to practice with, you will always have a partner, and your partner will always challenge you to be a better player.  View our videos to the right and visit Table Tennis Bargains for more information on how to take your training to the next level!

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Newgy announced on their website recently the upcoming release of their brand new digital models, the Newgy Robo-Pong 1050 and 2050.  These new digital robots will surely be the way of the future for table tennis training robots.  Not only will Newgy now have a digital version of their top models (the 1040 and the 2040), but they will also be releasing a digital upgrade kit allowing players who already have a robot to upgrade to a digital model.

The basic differences between the 1050 and the 2050 are the same as the differences between their older generation equivalents (the 1040 and the 2040), but the digital component takes both of these models to the next level.  Whether you’re looking for a collection net or not, either digital model will be a worthy addition to your table tennis training regime.

If you already own a Robo-Pong 1040 or 2040, Newgy has created a Digial Upgrade Kit that will allow you to upgrade your current model to the new digital model for less money than the cost of a brand new robot.

For more information on Newgy’s new digital robots, available later this fall, visit Table Tennis Bargains.

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The following tip comes from US Table Tennis Champion Eric Owens.

When playing a point, always keep your racket up high and on top of the ball. This will save a lot of time and will be very effective because the vast majority of shots during a point are topspin in nature. It is ok to drop the racket when looping or lifting underspin; in fact, it is a necessity. But once you have lifted that first underspin, the rest of the point will consist of topspin balls.  So keep that racket up high and on top of the ball.

Thanks Eric!

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There are many different philosophies about how to best prepare yourself for a table tennis tournament. In fact, because preparation can be highly individualized and very personal, it may take many years of experience before you will know precisely how to train prior to competition. A lot of this discovery is a result of trial and error, but I will give you a few suggestions surrounding the use of the Newgy Robo-Pong Table Tennis Training Robot that may speed up the tournament preparation process.

When running drills on the Newgy Robot, make sure you incorporate drills utilizing the random placement feature. Drilling against random placement of the ball will best prepare you for what you will be up against in a match and will, therefore, prove to be more productive than training with ball placement that is not random.

Also, you probably have many different drills to work on which focus on both your strengths and weaknesses, but in the day prior to your competition, try to focus mostly on drilling to your strengths. This may seem counterintuitive because it seems like you will be losing all your points through your weaknesses, but a strength that is well-trained can be a massive confidence booster that can even flow over into your weaknesses. This does not mean to neglect training to your weakness altogether. These aspects of your game certainly need attention, but to focus on them right before you compete may lower your confidence, and that lack of confidence will definitely hurt your strengths.

So, to best prepare for competition, remember to drill with the Newgy Ping Pong Training Robot set on random placement to best simulate a game situation, and focus on your strengths a day or two before you compete to ensure that your confidence is soaring and you are ready for whatever your opponent dishes out.

This article was originally written by Eric Owens, and can also be viewed as a table tennis training article on Ezine Articles.

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Switching From Hardbat to Sponge Rubber – Question #4: Part 2

By Larry Thoman

This series of blog posts consists of questions about table tennis accessories that have been asked of some of the experts and the corresponding answers those experts gave.

QUESTION #4 Part 2:

There is a problem though. I looked around for 1.5mm Flextra, but it seems Butterfly doesn’t sell any thing in 1.5mm anymore. The thinnest Flextra is 1.7mm. I tried to look around for other low speed/spin rubber and it seems Juic Dany III sells in 1.5mm, but I don’t know whether it has similar characteristics as Flextra. Should I stay with Flextra and play 1.7mm or would you recommend something similar from another brand in 1.5mm?

Regarding  the blade, I have three all round Butterfly blades in mind—please suggest which one will suit me best:

Grubba Pro (ALL-). It has the most control of all Butterfly blades, relatively slower, oversized and the product description fits my mostly-close-to-table style—”Excellent for touch blocks, high-spin loops at the table, consistent mid-range play and the chop game from long distances”. Cons: is it too slow?

2)        Andrzej Grubba (ALL+). Allround blade described as good for everything. Lightest/thinnest Butterfly wood—I liked the lightness of thin hardbats, and generally have always preferred lighter equipment in all sports I played.

3)        Primorac (OFF-). Supposedly the most popular Butterfly beginner wood, considered all-round by most even though rated OFF- by Butterfly. Some people suggested that since this is a tad faster than the Grubbas, I would probably like playing with it for a much longer time. Cons: Heaviest & least control among the three. Too fast for me?

For more table tennis accessories tips and options, visit www.tabletennis.com.

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