Table tennis is a complex sport, which requires a high degree of training organization. So, besides the advice given during the game, the coach must record the matches of his players for the discussion done during the evaluation phase. The contemporary training methods require, in the first stage, the use of pictorial reproduction equipment such as video cameras and in the second stage, the recording of the videotaped games on specially designed recordings to allow for a statistical and descriptive analysis. This last method can contribute decisively to the best evaluation of the technical education of the player and the tactics for the specific game.

An example of a recording report

A special report of recording and classifying the points of a table tennis match is shown such as to evaluate the effectiveness of the serve and the return as well as to outline the player's style.

As it appears in the table the recording of the points refers basically to two sections: (a) the serve execution and (b) the serve return. Each one of these sections is divided into three parts in relation to the duration of the point (to when the point ends). So we have: (a) short duration (1^st or 2^nd ball), (b) medium duration (3^rd or 4^th ball) and (c) long duration (>3^rd or >4^th ball). The recording of the points is done for every game (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd). Recording symbols are used: (+) for the won and (-) for the lost point.

The recording of points is done as follows:

1. Serve execution

1^st ball: The points won or lost directly from the serve.

3^rd ball: The points won or lost after the return of the serve from the opponent.

>3^rd ball: The points won or lost after the playing of more than three balls.

2. Serve reception

2^nd ball: The points won or lost by the opponent's return of serve.

4^th ball: The points won or lost after the opponent's return of serve.

>4^th ball: The points won or lost after four or more balls have been played.

After the recording of all the won and lost points in every game they are sorted into groups and the results are checked and analyzed.

Source: Table Tennis: From A to Z e-book

Related articles:

• Table tennis technique - Serve execution
• Table tennis technique - Legs movement during serve reception
• Table tennis tactics - Factors of game tactics (1)
• Table tennis tactics - Factors of game tactics (2)
• Table tennis tactics - Factors of game tactics (3)
• Table tennis tactics - Tactical inteligence

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