Irregular multiball under pressure

Setup

1. The coach stands at the side of the far end of the table with the ball bucket on a chair or the table corner, away from the area the player moves in.
2. One player works; a second collects balls with a net behind the working player's end and is next in.
3. The player warms up first: shoulders, wrists, calves and knees, then some easy footwork.

How it runs

1. The coach feeds a set of 15 to 25 balls at a quick, steady rhythm to irregular spots: wide forehand, backhand corner, middle, and now and then short to the forehand.
2. The player returns every ball to a target on the coach's side with the stroke the ball asks for, then recovers to ready.
3. Rest at least as long as the set lasted, usually longer, while the collector clears the floor. Rotate so each player does four to six sets.
4. Build up over the session: start with a set length the player can finish with good form, and lengthen it only when the quality holds.

Coaching points

• Read the coach's bat, not the last ball: the next feed could go anywhere.
• Small adjusting steps before every shot; the stroke starts from set feet.
• Recover to a balanced ready position after each ball, even when tired.
• Quality over quantity: the coach slows or stops the set when the strokes break down.
• Stop straight away with any pain in the calves, knees, back or shoulder.

Common mistakes

• Guessing the next spot and moving before the feed, then being stranded.
• Reaching with the arm instead of moving the feet.
• Standing upright as fatigue builds, which loses the low base.
• Balls left on the floor between sets.