The Ready Position
From PiedPipersHouseOfPong
The ready position is the position one assumes in preparation to receive an opponent's serve. The player in the ready position should be facing the table or turned slightly to favor the forehand side, with the right foot slightly further from the table than the left foot (for right-handed players). A wide stance is recommended for the ready position, with the feet spaced at least as far apart as the players shoulders. Correct form for the ready position includes:
- Knees bent and the waist crouched forward;
- Head positioned low (neck slightly crouched);
- Eyes focused straight ahead;
- Heels barely touching the ground.
The correct distance from the table for the ready position is determined by the players ability to reach the table with the blade. Many players position themselves so that they can just barely reach the white centerline of the table with the blade. In the ready position, the blade should be raised slightly above table height and the top of the blade should be pointed directly toward the table. The free (non-blade) arm should be elevated to about table height to aid the players balance.
Since most players (correctly) favor the forehand side for more power, the ready position is slightly off-center of the table. Most (right-handed) players stand slightly to the left of the white center line, to enable coverage of more of the table with forehand strokes, particularly the powerful forehand drive. The ideal ready position will vary slightly dependent on a players ability and playing style.
The ready position is a useful concept for receiving all of an opponent's strokes, not just the serve. Therefore, players should return to a ready position between shots whenever time permits. However the distance from the table and the optimum side-to-side positioning often need to be altered from the typical service-return ready position.
The Pied Piper of Pong