OOAK Table Tennis Forum

Here's a list that I've been maintaining on another site regarding the highest rated pushblockers in the US.. This list does not include long pips hitters or choppers, just pushblockers... If you know of any active player in the US who belongs in that list, please let me know and I'll add that player to the list. For those who don't know the definition of a "push/blocker", it is a playing style where the player uses long pips to block opponents attacks off the bounce to

a) either force them into mistakes through spin/speed or placement variations (the "at the table version of a classic defender")

and/or

b) use the pips to block opponents shots until they get a weak return that they then can attack. (the "at the table version" of a modern chopper)

It does not include players that predominently attack with their pips and only block if they get into defense..

I only included players above 2100 rating to keep the list shorter!

1) Rob Van Lier (2397) (CA)
2) Sakda Timsuwan (2392)(WA)
3) John Mark Wetzler (2353)(PA)
Li, Zhi-Ming (2306) (MI) (INACTIVE SINCE MAY 2008)
4) Xiyao "Pamela" Song (2240) (DC)
5) Olivier Mader (2223)(FL)
6) Duc Loi (2218) (CA)
7) Robert Shahnazari (2217)(CA)
8 )William Lin (2187)(CA)
9) Richard McAfee (2156)(CO)
10) Peter Chen (2140)(CA)
Chris Doyle (2122) (MA) (INACTIVE SINCE 2007)
Michael Divita (2116) (CA) (INACTIVE SINCE 2008)
11) Chong Keng Tay (2111)(CA)

Do you consider a pushblocker to be a subset of the modern defender group or do you think there is a clear delineation between the two styles? I consider myself a modern defender, but I would consider in the main my game falls into your definition of a pushblocker although I may attack off the FH on more than just a weak return (eg. attacking fast loops to the FH).

What do you consider is important about getting such definitions right and categorising players well?

Hey Olivier, I know you two hail from opposite coasts, but have you ever played Robert Shahnazari? If so, what was the result? I've seen Robert Shahnazari play in several local tournaments.

I think that pushblocker is a very unique style. A modern defender plays away from the table if the is in the defense while a pushblocker will block the opponents shots at the table.. The main difference is that the blocker at the table will give the attacker less time for the next shot while a chopper away from the table does not have the advantage of that as usually the opponent has plenty of time to get in position to attack the chop.. A pushblocker stays at the table and blocks/pushes against the RISING ball wile a chopper chops against the descending ball. A modern defender lives from spin manipulation while a pushblocker lives from causing the opponent to be out of position for their shots and make mistakes because of that. The concept of the game is quite different between the styles. Due to the closeness to the table, a pushblocker can often cover the entire table with his backhand chicken-winging to the forehand while a modern chopper can't do that as his distance to the table allows the attacker to get better angles on the ball to be forced to use his forehand. In my opinion, it's a quite different style..

I have met Robert once last year at the NA Tour Final in San Diego and we hit for a few minutes. I've never played a match against him before but he has played against players with a very similar style to mine, Peter Chen.. Peter Chen beat him the only time that they played.. Robert Shahnazari uses spin reversal as his main weapon in order to set up long pips or inverted attacks. He lives from spin reversal.. So, if he plays against someone who is not giving him spin, he struggles.. Other than Peter Chen, he also lost to Duc Loi (who plays almost exactly my game) and William Lin (roundrobin on the forum) several times.. William pushblocks from the backhand but also twiddles to his short pips and attacks.. He has dangerous attacks from both sides with his short pips.. I might be wrong but I think that I might have a slight advantage against him as my game is not as risky as his.. He would miss a lot as he will play his pips more active than I play mine and he might miss as he will have little control as I won't give him spin..

Sorry if I´m asking this in wrong place, but:

Where can I see the newest rating-list for the US? I´m just curious to see a fellow Finn´s rating and ranking (if there is one for a foreign player). He used to be something like 15-20 in Finland 10 years ago, but he moved to the States since that.

http://www.usatt.org

there is a box where you have to select "last name" and then click go.. if he is NOT a active member (expired membership or foreign member), you can search for the name on the page that will come up which will look for ALL members and not just those who are in currently active status!

You can also click below, then enter the name of your friend.. This will search all players who have played in the US since 1994

http://www.usatt.org/history/rating/history/index2.asp

In that case you have convinced me I am much more a pushblocker than a modern defender LOL. Thanks for the explanation. Oh and I love my chicken-wing!!

If you play close to the table, blocking off the bounce in order to set up attacks, you are indeed a pushblocker.. I haven't seen a modern defender chicken-winging..

Imho you do have an advantage against Robert... He's fairly impatient against pushblockers and will take the initiative to attack if he can't win points outright or get easy pop-ups with his own pushblocking. So if you get him into a pushblocking contest your patience alone will probably get you a win...
Now if you could twiddle while pushblocking with him then your chance goes up considerably, same as against Duc...

When I was useing Super Block I made it to a rating of 1932. Might have gotten higher but I always ended up losing to 1 or 2 lower rated players. That doesnt help matters. Thats OK. Im having more fun now than I ever did with SB. My rating now is some in the low to mid 1700s. Its alot different chopping when you spent so long blocking. Its almost like starting all over again. I think I can get back up to maybe 1900. If not? Oh well. Im having fun.

I think that a match could go either way. I think that by forcing him into dead against dead pushblocking rallies from the backhand, I would have a good chance. However, just as Robert, I do have a weakness against twiddlers who can kill the ball with their other rubber from the backhand side. I doubt that Robert can hurt me with his pips from the backhand side as he won't be able to attack my dead balls but I have no idea if he'd twiddle and attack. I do like to get into backhand to backhand pushing rallies as I have a lot of control, even against no spin balls.. As for Duc Loi, I think that from all players in the country, his style is the closest to mine. When I played him, it was extremely close.. I had a 7:2 lead in game 5 and he beat me 12:10... It could've gone either way. Just like me, Duc Loi is very patient. You can never write him off. I made the mistake that I lost my focus when I had a big lead in game 5..

I do full chops occasionally Joe, but don't have the mobility to play that game properly, but I agree it is fun. Unless you are highly skilled with it though most the good loopers I know will put the chops away. They have a lot more trouble with well placed blocks and pushes and the smashes that come when they play loose. But there's the beauty of this game, there is a stack of different ways to play it, each as valid as the next and the guy who is most skilled at his chosen style usually triumphs (but not always LOL).

Joe, I couldn't agree more about having fun. I can't wait to see how it goes for me in the Schaumburg tournament tomorrow with the closer to the table hitting and blocking style, but I'm definitely having a lot of fun doing it! It's important to keep the fire going for the game.