How you can use the PowerPong5000 to create your desired Footwork drills at home

Here I am using the PowerPong 5000 robot to practice ‘Falkenberg’. - - Falkenberg is a footwork drill where you play one backhand, step around for a forehand and then move out wide to the forehand for another forehand, and the drill continues like this - - So.... How does this help a player? - Typically in a match, players who play a strong backhand will often get a block back to the same side from the opponent. - This then creates the opportunity to step around for a forehand, but you need to do so quickly in 99% or occasions. - This is because the ball will have lots of speed on it from your strong backhand and the opponents block. - If you haven’t already won the point, you then step around for a forehand and try to win the point with your forehand. - If you STILL haven’t won the point, your opponent will often try to block you off by going out wide to your forehand and being quick with their block by borrowing the pace from your forehand. - You then need to retrieve this ball. BUT, in this position it’s NOT realistic to try and get there in such a short time AND hit the ball HARD. - Therefore, you need to spin this ball back on the table, preferably with some Sidespin to make it awkward for your opponent in trying to block a slow and skinny topspin with Sidespin. - As the ball is now being hit slower, the rally slows down and the rally now gives both players more time. - Therefore, you will get more “delay” time between this third ball, and the next ball back to your backhand AGAIN. - - The “delay” feature on the Power Pong robots allow me to control how much time in between each shot of a drill I get. - In this video example, I gave less delay time between balls 1/2, and 2/3 of the exercise. However, I gave myself more delay time in between balls 3/4, because this is more realistic of a match situation than not putting in delay times. - - It is important to practice in a realistic method with the correct approach and technique! You become what you practice. Practicing the wrong way/things will just cement those bad habits into your game. - - A common misconception is that if you practice a lot you will naturally improve. This ONLY applies if you approach the practice correctly. - - For instance, imagine if I trained myself to kick a soccer ball with my toe for 10 hours a day, eventually that’s what I will get used to and will be programmed to do, for better or worse.... - Finally, I want to mention that it is often better to prepare for practice against MORE balls coming back, because the better players will do it, and you are more prepared for anything and to play the required number of shots to win rallies. - - Good luck and have fun creating your own drills during lockdown at home! And stay safe 🤙