I have asked many table tennis players about the most important aspects of the game.  I commonly hear responses such as…
 
“It’s all about footwork.  If my footwork improves, I’ll be able to return everything because I’ll be in position.”
 
“This game is 99% about serve and serve return.  If I can improve those aspects, I can really beat everyone at this club.”
 
“I think that consistency is the key.  I don’t need to hit the ball hard or be tricky, I just need to keep one more ball on the table longer than my opponent.”
 
“Power!  If I have a powerful smash, none of my opponents will be able to rally with me.  Right now, I can even smash about 10% of all serves.  With enough practice, I should be able to smash all serves and win the point from the first hit!”
 

 
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As you can see from the quotes above, most players have a lopsided view of the sport and sadly focus their mental effort and practice time on merely one aspect of the game.  Today, let us carefully consider some of the world’s best players.  Let’s examine Zhang Jike.  I’m going to ask you a series of questions…
 
Question #1
Could you return Zhang Jike’s serve?
 
Question #2
If you returned Zhang Jike’s serve, could you return his very powerful opening?
 
Question #3
If you returned Zhang Jike’s serve and powerful opening, could you return his quick backhand off-the-bounce?
 
Question #4
If you returned the serve and powerful opening and quick backhand, could you sustain a counterlooping rally with him forehand to forehand off-the-table?
 
Question #5
If you returned the serve and powerful opening and quick backhand and long counterlooping forehand to forehand rally off the table, could you put him on defense?
 
Question #6
If you returned the serve and powerful opening and quick backhand and long counterlooping forehand to forehand rally off the table and landed a spectacular counterloop down the line to force him to lob, could you smash through his lobs?
 
The point of these questions is to help you understand that elite players have complete games with depth.  They have been trained in all aspects of the game – serve & return, short game, loops, blocks, counterloops, lobs, smashes, etc…  If you want to get to an elite level, then try to look at the big picture.  Try to develop all aspects of your game.  If you spend 20 hours this week in your garage practicing your serve, great.  However, do you have a follow-up rip to scare your opponent after you serve?  Suppose you land the rip, do you have the footwork to continue looping in a sustained rally?  If you want to get to the next level, then think about the big picture, develop a training program that allows you to have a complete game!