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Ball speed and ball height are easier to understand. The
faster the speed of the ball, the harder it is to make the ball
go to a particular spot. The higher the ball is delivered, up to
shoulder level, the greater the possible angles to hit a target.
The frequency of ball delivery has a variety of effects
on the difficulty of the game. If the frequency is too low,
you can aim your shots more accurately, but you have
fewer chances to score. If the frequency is too high, your
aim will diminish, but you have more chances to score. The
frequency is best set at the highest level at which your aim
is reasonably accurate.
Turning oscillation on makes it more difficult to hit
your targets because the ball is delivered to a different spot
every time. You must not only have an accurate stroke, but
you must be able to move quickly to a new position and
get steady before the ball arrives. Turning oscillation off
simplifies the game tremendously because you can just
stand in one spot to wait for the ball and you can
concentrate more fully on your stroke technique.
Chart C on the previous page gives you some idea on
how to set the robot controls for the different degrees of
Pong-Master difficulty.
USING PONG-MASTER TO IMPROVE SKILLS
One of the most important skills for winning at table
tennis is placing the ball where you want it to go. Ball
placement is one of the factors separating the novice player
from the pro. The novice player is happy just to get the ball
back across the net. The pro knows exactly where on the
table he needs to place the ball to score a point or keep the
opponent from attacking it strongly.
Pong-Master is an excellent aid to learning placement
and accuracy. Not only will you learn new, valuable
playing skills, but you'll also be having fun and enjoying
the challenge of competition.
The first step to better shot placement is to develop a
good stroke. Refer to the Robo-Pong Training Manual that
came with your 2040 robot (or purchase/download it at
http://www.newgy.com/Products/trainingmanual.asp)
to see how the basic strokes of table tennis are performed.
Practice these strokes until they feel comfortable and you
are able to consistently aim the ball in a general direction.
Pros often spend several years perfecting a stroke, so don't
be surprised if it takes you a while to achieve good strokes.
Once you have developed a stroke to the point where
you can make your return go either crosscourt or down-
the-line at will, you are ready to refine that stroke by
improving your accuracy. This is when Pong-Master
becomes a valuable aid.
Pong-Master will give you immediate feedback on how
accurate your shots are. By intelligently placing the
sensors, you can work on placement skills that produce
better results in actual games of regular table tennis.
Where do you want to place the ball in table tennis?
Figure 4 shows a table tennis table divided into several
zones. Zone 1 is the "Easy Zone". Balls placed in the easy
zone are easy for your opponent to return, often with a
powerful attack. Stay away from the easy zone!
Zone 2 represents balls that are hit deep toward the
very end of the table. Balls hit to this zone force the
2
3
FIGURE 4
opponent away from the table and reduce the possible
angles at which your opponent can return the ball.
Zone 3 represents balls hit off the side of the table.
These severe angle shots force the opponent to move a
great distance, normally causing a weak return unless s/he
is very quick afoot.
Zone 4 represents balls that are returned short and very
close to the table net. Balls hit to this zone must not only be
short, but very low to the net to be effective. If your return
goes back high and lands in this zone, it will promptly be
"creamed". The most common type of shots hit into this
zone are short, spinny serves, touch returns of short balls,
usually underspin, and drop shots when the opponent is
back away from the table. Balls hit to this zone are very
difficult for the opponent to attack as long as they are very
low.
Zones 5a and 5b represent two special zones — the
switch point of your opponent. 5a represents the switch
point of a typical left handed player and 5b represents the
switch point of a typical right-handed player. The switch
point is that zone where your opponent must decide
whether to use a forehand or a backhand.
6
5a
5b
1
3
4
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