The long pips simulating robot is an idea I took from watching Cody Jones practice at the Jewish Community Center in Detroit, MI before other players showed up to play. He leaned the 4'x 5' half of an extra table against the opposite end of the table he was playing on. He practiced looping consistently to the simulated long pips player. The players return can be easily adjusted by adjusting the angle backboard.
This setup reverses the spin of the player; just like playing a long pips player (almost). The timing is fairly realistic to a long pips player. Instead of using another table, I purchased a 4' x 4' x 1/2" piece of pressed wood for $5 to practice with at home.
I haven't practiced with my long pips simulating friend for awhile. He kind of disappeared into the woodwork. My robot metamophized into a microwave and VCR shelf.
(video - right click and select "Save Target As" to download)
Watching the video, you might notice that I start the rally by hitting the ball directly over the net and with topspin.
Tonight I came up with a new innovation -- the two angle robot. I used two separate backboards so each can be individually adjusted. Of course that can be expanded upon.
It takes awhile to get the proper angles, spin, speed and rhythm. Flat hits are far easier to control than loops.
One thing that's different than playing an actual opponent is that you adjust the returns so the ball will land back on the table instead of missing the table.
What's Jimmy Mendoza say about the "Poor Man's Robot" ?
(Click on the link above to view his newsgroup posting. You can even reply)
Also, your tip on the "poor man's robot" was awesome. I tried that last night with a piece of drywall that I had in the garage, and while it worked "okay", the drywall didn't bounce right, so I went to home depot and got a piece of pressed wood and it works great.
From: Jimmy Mendoza nobodycares@cox.net Date: 6/6/2004 4:31 AM US Mountain Standard Time
This page updated 06/06/04
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