I've heard from many places that you shouldn't describe too much during an action scene, since it slows it down. But how much is too much? My creedo has always been anything necessary that the character sees. If they jump onto a table, describe it a bit. If they're backing and and trip over something, don't. But is that right?
My MO has mainly been to describe it only if it needs describing. I'd actually reverse the necessary description in your example. People know what a table looks like, so don't bother. However, what is the character tripping over? Most people will look to see what is tripping them, so tell us what it is (unless the character doesn't see it either and it isn't vital).
I have a really minimalist style of description though, so I have different methods from other people. I generally dislike most description (though not all). Pretty much, describe it if it is vital or if the character is unused to it. A character walking into their bedroom is not going to be thinking about the layout of the furniture and color of the walls, but walking into a boardroom with a glass ceiling and computer screens sprouting from every wall would probably be unfamiliar and thus warranting at least some description. However, if the character is used to this enviroment but it is vital to the story, but all means describe it.
I dunno... I can't give you a hard and fast rule, since I vary so much myself. But that's pretty much the gist of how I operate.
GryphonFledgling's right, there's no hard and fast rule to description. It depends on the author. In action scenes, I generally avoid a lot of "description" and focus more on the characters' reactions and thoughts. I think that one good way to balance out a fast-paced, exciting scene is inserting some dialogue here and there. It keeps the pace up and allows you to describe a bit more what the character is doing as they talk, or shout, or shriek. Whatever it may be. And it's possible, although not easy, to weave description and action together so that you don't necessarily have to decide between the two. If your MC is sent flying backwards, slamming up against a brick wall and sliding down to land in a pile of leaves, well, that's the action (flying back/landing) and the description (brick walls/pile of leaves).
Hope that helps. ^^
"Let's eat, Grandma!" as opposed to "Let's eat Grandma!": punctuation saves lives.
