Coaching yourself, part 1 of 5: At home

Training is not only done at the table. There is also shadow practice, which you can do anywhere. (There’s also physical training, but that’s a different issue.) It’s very difficult to change or develop a new stroke, and learn the timing at the same time (i.e. while hitting at a table). It is much easier to change or develop a stroke individually with shadow practice, and then learn the timing. For example, earlier this year when I decided I needed to learn to change my grip for my backhands, I spent way too much time shadowing practice until it became automatic to change the grip when I moved to hit a backhand. When I finally tried it in random exercises at the table, the change was automatic and reflexive.

While you’re away from the table, you should also think about how you can improve. What are the strengths and weaknesses of your game? How can you turn strengths into overpowering points (both the shot itself and the ways to get it into play) and eliminate weaknesses? How do you see your game in the future? What exercises do you need to do to achieve that? Maybe discuss it with a coach, top player or your playing partners; they most likely know your game and may have a good perspective on what you should work on.