The Importance of Multi-ball Training
January 25, 2008

By Richard McAfee, USATT National Coach & Hall of Fame Member One of the secrets of the Asian success in the sport of Table Tennis is their heavy use of Multi-ball Training. Multi-ball training consists of a ball-feeder usually standing off to the side of the table feeding ball after ball to another player from a large basket of balls.

This type of training has a number of advantages that include:


• More repetitions of the stroke or drill can be done in a shorter period of time.
  
  
• The person doing the drills can swing at full power without worrying about making mistakes or missing the table.
  
  
• The feeder can keep constant pressure on the player.
  
  
• Any stroke or combination of strokes can be trained using this method.
  
  
• It is an excellent method for improving physical fitness levels.
  
  
• Feeding balls is an excellent way to improve your hand skills.

You probably have seen coaches training their students using this technique but have you thought how easy it would be for you to incorporate Multi-ball training into your own practice sessions at your club or even at home. All you and your training partner need to do is to take a little time to practice feeding balls to each other. Stand off to the side of the table with a basket of balls. When feeding topspin to each other, you should feed the ball right out of the hand. When feeding backspin, drop the ball on the table first. Remember you want to feed balls at a rate and speed that put your partner under a little pressure but not so hard that he/she cannot be successful on 80% of their returns. As your partner improves, you will need to feed the ball harder or with more spin to keep the pressure on them.

Any drill you would normally do with your practice partner can easily be done with Multi-ball with even better improvement results. Butterfly can provide you everything you need to get started with your own Multi-ball training program. First of all, you will need a Ball-Trainer. This rolling ball basket can be adjusted to a comfortable height for each person. You will also need at least a gross of Butterfly’s excellent training balls and a Ball Amigo for quick ball pick-up. If you are serious about your game make Multi-ball a part of your regular training program and you will quickly see why Multi-ball training is called the “Asian Secret”.

 

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