Pro vs Amateur -------- Consistency vs Diversity

[James Z]

You see this mistake by lots of coaches.
For a young player who has the talent to become a professional in 5 to 10 years or less, focusing on improving on their consistency on a limited number strokes (mostly looping,, counter-driving, & blocking & mostly using spinny inverted rubbers) makes some sense.
However consistency reaches a saturation point or has already reached years go for most amateur players in less than 5 year or at most 10 years maximum. Beyond that consistency is a delusion or pipe dream for almost all amateurs. Because if you are already destined to be an amateur player, you are NEVER going to reach the consistency level anywhere close to a pro player for a given stroke.
Yet I see lots of coaches coaching amateur players as if they are coaching a professional player. All they do is practice straight looping & blocking all day with some serve & straight pushing practice & then go home.
In fact even some high level amateur players do this.
All this is a complete waste of time.
Amateur players should focus rather diversity of stroke production rather than a limited few strokes.

[merlin el mago]

All matter, if you have both you will be the world number one.

[James Z]

All matter, if you have both you will be the world number one.

I was clearlly differentiating reality vs delusion in terms of pros & amateurs.
The reality is that the consistency level reaches a saturation point for almost all amateurs which is much lower thaan the pros for a given stroke such as loops.
Pros & future pros have mor etime to spend working on improving their consistency.
Amateurs do not. Even if they do it is aiming towards a point o diminishing returns
.
This is why amaturs limit their fantasizing about pros at a healthy leavl & get realistic & work on other strokes m serves etc, even if they wil be worse with tme. At least you will have more fun learning different strokes & serves .

But what I see is many amateur players & even coaches spending most of their time just counter driving all day (it is really not even looping or counter looping) & then wonder why they are so bad in actual matches

[merlin el mago]

Diversity & creativity isn't accesible to everyone. Also I like not robotic strokes and like smart people playing no matter offensive or defensive or all-round.

[James Z]

Diversity & creativity isn't accesible to everyone.

Not sure what you mean.
If you say not all people can play all strokes , that is not true. A player can still play a stroke say a chop or a lob with lower consistency compared to their strengths such as looping but they will have a very poor conistsency if they never practice or train for it. But if they practice strokes other than their strengths, their consistency will improve even if not as ghigh as their strengths.
This is all the more true for an amatuer than a pro but it is also the most neglected by amateurs.
Most amateurs waste most of their lives just conter driving for most of their training, thinking they are looping. But it is not even close.
Thisis why I encourage most amateurs to pratice drills like ractic loops against
heavy chops , counter looping. counter side looping etc.
Straight spins are a recipe for failure for most amaturs and side spins can be the most powerful tools for amateurs but most amateurs focus on straight spins and totally ignore side spins.

[merlin el mago]

My post is about not people is creative in is life so not in TableTennis.

Yes, all people can do all strokes but as humans that we are some are better than others.

Yes, also training is the way for consistency.

I think that if you master a greater number of strokes you will have more resources to win.

Never it's too late, now I'm focusing to learn forehand chop-block close to the table.

N.B. I'm better for sidpespin than for topspin and of course I gave more winners using sidespin because isn't a usual stroke to receive, remember more different strokes = more chances to win. When young I did also backhand sidespin...variations are also key to win.

[James Z]

My post is about not people is creative in is life so not in TableTennis.

Yes, all people can do all strokes but as humans that we are some are better than others.

Yes, also training is the way for consistency.

I think that if you master a greater number of strokes you will have more resources to win.

Never it's too late, now I'm focusing to learn forehand chop-block close to the table.

N.B. I'm better for sidpespin than for topspin and of course I gave more winners using sidespin because isn't a usual stroke to receive, remember more different strokes = more chances to win. When young I did also backhand sidespin...variations are also key to win.

You can see more about side spins at links below

Side spin basics

World champions side spins