| Most modern sport enthusiasts accompany their | | | | can record matches by your favorite players; |
| physical activity with other things. They | | | | even better, you can scour around for |
| wear clothing promoting their sport, have | | | | compilations of "best plays" that show |
| posters of their favorite players, and buy | | | | highlights from some of the more difficult |
| accessories related to their pastime. | | | | high level matches. Best Play type videos are |
| However, one hallmark of the dedicated | | | | a favorite of mine since you can view pivotal |
| sportsman is in his library. In the old days, | | | | moments and WHY they turned a match around. |
| the really good sportsmen knew that their | | | | Advanced Tactics Videos - like a how-to |
| games were as much mental as physical, so | | | | instructional video, advanced tactics videos |
| they often had large shelves full of books | | | | are important for table tennis players. Sure, |
| written by various experts at their game. | | | | reflexes will help a lot, and being quick on |
| These books were rarely for display purposes | | | | your feet and with your wrists will get you |
| either - they were often well leafed through | | | | far, but unless you learn things like |
| and read almost daily. Today, book | | | | planning ahead, predicting your opponent's |
| collections have been either supplemented | | | | moves, and the proper use of baiting, traps, |
| with or replaced by videos. The best thing | | | | and feints, you'll be dog food for a thinking |
| about video collections is that they can | | | | player. Equipment and Clothing Guides - this |
| cover much more detail than simple text based | | | | isn't really a must for a video library, but |
| books and illustrations, including the actual | | | | it doesn't hurt either. These videos are |
| demonstration of a technique as opposed to a | | | | usually short and contain information on the |
| description accompanied by pictures. Table | | | | care, maintenance, and repair of your table |
| tennis is one sport that benefits from books | | | | tennis gear. You should have one around just |
| and videos greatly because the mental aspect | | | | as a reference if ever you find yourself |
| of the sport is equally balanced with it's | | | | needing it. Consumer's Guides - lastly, video |
| physical demands. If you're into table | | | | consumer's guides come out on a regular basis |
| tennis, you should consider trying to locate | | | | from sporting goods manufacturers and table |
| videos of the following nature to supplement | | | | tennis associations. These videos are |
| your training: Instructional Drill Videos - a | | | | essentially just catalogs that show the |
| lot of professional table tennis players | | | | latest products that come out in the field. |
| offer instructional videos ranging from basic | | | | If you can find one with reviews that give |
| to intermediate and advanced levels of play. | | | | honest opinions of the pros and cons of |
| Getting a good range of all three will offer | | | | certain products, it can help you make a good |
| you a lot of tips you can use to improve your | | | | selection when picking up new stuff. Avoid |
| game. Furthermore, there are even video | | | | videos made by sporting goods manufacturers |
| courses made to cater to specific techniques | | | | however, as these will be heavily biased |
| or weaknesses that players often have, so if | | | | towards the "strengths" their products. |
| you know you're having trouble with, say, | | | | |
| angling your backswings properly you can buy | | | | Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has |
| a video that addresses the problem. Recorded | | | | written over 200 articles on various |
| Matches - perhaps the biggest difference | | | | subjects. For more information on table |
| between a book library and a video library is | | | | tennis, also called ping pong, checkout his |
| the existence of these types of videos. You | | | | recommended websites. |