OOAK Table Tennis Forum

I also want to add that Kees articles and comments on my strokes has help this stubborn mature (for some don't know, it means older) player enormously. He is my honorary online tt coach.

Yuzuki wrote:
First of all, I really like that "somewhat" before "permanently" . I think I understand how you feel; on the one hand you are trying to solve problems by changing equipment, on the other you realize that you have to put some real work and time into learning how to use particular equipment. My personal opinion about equipment as a means of problem-solving is that it can only work if it corresponds to limitations in your muscle structure or mental make-up. Some people cannot learn to loop well, because their underarm-muscles won't contract fast enough, again and again, but they can smash OK; that's the kind of person I would advise to consider using pips and go for short rallies (3rd ball game). Some people cannot kill, but love to stroke the ball; that's the sort of person I would advise to consider a counter-looper or a defensive style which involves returning the ball more than a dozen times per rally. Then there are people who can do anything, but they cannnot do it quite right the first time, nor the time after that, and so on; they have great feeling for the ball, but they need to work on combining it with excellent footwork, because their feeling won't serve them if they don't stand right. Practice! Or they are developing quite well technically. but can't match their technical ability with a killer's state of mind in matches. Quite often they are willing to practice, but can't find a good trainer. Or are willing to fight, but can't find a good coach. Then they give up on their gear and try something else; they change equipment. After a year or three they have a vast understanding of what tabletennis is all about, but still feel that, technically, they are beginners. As a rule, people are better off sticking to what they got their hands on first; hold on, grit your teeth, and make it work. People have no innate specialisation for this style of tabletennis or that and most who do well with one style can do well with quite a few others. Just don;t give up.
Then, practically, I would suggest you improve your forehand by playing the ball well in front of you. You have to be able to look over your bat at the table when you make contact with the ball. Look very well at what you are doing; always; this way you will be able to reflect on your stroke and make it deliberately shorter. Don't over-hit; don't go for winners; take your time and watch yourself, literally. Win the points with your backhand for a while and concentrate on just bringing the balls back fast and with precision with your forehand. You will succeed in what you want to achieve, this way, take my word for it. If you are able to loop, you are able to loop compact. It is the intention of your loop that you have to change, the way you are thinking about it, the force you think you have to exercize, and so on. It is a mental problem first, a muscle-problem second. Come on, Y, I know you can do this! If you can write so clearly about it, you must be able to improve things! Discipline your mind! Get control over your muscles! No hard swing, just the precision jab of the rapier! Go for it!

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Without opponent, no match.

Ah -- interesting insight there, dear sir. I find it funny to 'think placement' on the forehand and let loose on the backhand, but if it does serve me well, who am I to question the circumstances?

Of course, I'll try it out -- it really might be a change of mental state that I need; might be trying to hit winners on difficult balls and whiffing on the easy ones.

*runs off to spend another few months relearning*

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Viscaria. H2 Neo 2.15. Tenergy 05 1.9.

I went against Kees' advice and tried out a two-sided SP/MP bat anyway.

Friendship 6040 ALL with 802 and 563, both in 1.0mm Globe 40* sponges.

Granted, I haven't played with the better players, but had some great fun tonight, drills and some third ball practice.

Just some observations:

1) I couldn't really stroke the ball using 802 (later 802-40) like I was using inverted -- SP really promotes compact swings (not power loop swings, heheh) on my forehand, I get better results if I do not let my arm leave my flank.

2) Knowing that it's not possible to stroke the ball using inverted, I started adapting more of a shorter stroke, some small topspin, sometimes flat hit for my forehand. There seems to be only a limited range of movement -- it's like if I make my stroke longer (to put in more power), the balance seems wrong. More like I should accelerate faster, in a shorter distance to attain the power I want in the ball. Same case with my backhand, actually -- stroke feels 'wild' if I stroke longer than prescribed.

3) Even spinny pips like 802-40 feel very low throw compared to what I've been using (Pronte/Globe 999), so playing them that way helped in coordinating my stroke movement.

4) Since the style of play requires that the arm should not leave the flank a lot, hit forehand in front, and hit the backhand when your body is in the ball trajectory -- my butt and leg muscles feel sore due to the footwork. Nonetheless, it's finally nice to see myself moving every shot.

I'm probably giving it another shot -- going thicker sponges for FH (Globe 889-2 2.2mm) and BH (RITC 563 on Avalox Magic A 2.2mm)

Just a minor question, probably not limited to SP and two-sided pips play -- I lost quite a bit of control when I was returning balls with a lot of spin and my sponge bottomed out. Easy to imagine as my sponge was 1.0mm, medium hardness, and I was countering against loops.

I imagine loops will be a bit easier to handle with thicker sponges, what's your experience?

Also, someone commented that I would probably have to learn how to chop-block against power loops in this style of play. Comments on this?

Thanks in advance!

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Edit: 01/03/2009

OK, so I figured out (thanks Kees for the warning, but I'm really stubborn ) that my forehand strokes the ball too much for SP, even for the short strokes over the table -- I'm going back to playing inverted, maybe something with a lower throw, and probably something slower.

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Viscaria. H2 Neo 2.15. Tenergy 05 1.9.