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I thought it might be worthwhile to start a series of topics on how to exploit a certain weakness that you might find in your opponent. I know that some players tend to try and dominate with their own game, instead of playing to an opponent's weakness, which is also a perfectly good strategies, but in some cases you might be still forced to look for a weakness to turn a game around.

So if you find a player that is either slow to move, or has poor footwork, what strategies do you use to take advantage of this?

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i find variation is key. cheap points can be won by playing to the crossover point - fast serves to the middle are often a big weakeness to those with heavy feet.

I also find the Short wide forehand, long wide backhand combination of shots (especially good for a pips player) is a key way to win cheap points.

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Yasaka Sweden Extra
Yasaka Rakza PO 2.0mm
TSP Curl P-1R OX

"slappy slappy slappity slap"

So your basic strategy is to either serve wide and short, or into the body, and them keep moving them around until they either make a mistake or you can put it away? Sounds like a good strategy to me

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Recent Articles: Butterfly Tenergy Alternatives | Tenergy Rubbers Compared | Re-Impact User Guide

yep, due to being slow movers, they are usually fairly quick points

I find that people with slow movement also tend to have better side to side than in and out movement, so the short/long combination always works well

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Yasaka Sweden Extra
Yasaka Rakza PO 2.0mm
TSP Curl P-1R OX

"slappy slappy slappity slap"

Slow movers also usually rely on reach to get to wide balls, so going wide on them might not get past them (although sometimes it will) but a player stretching for a shot will often make an error. Obviously if you detect a weaker wing concentrate the attack there.

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Slow moving jokers are extremely vulnerable in 3 places.

1) Short - They do not step in, causing them to reach and be very unstable in balance and blade angle control. If they expect a long ball and it is short, point is often over right there, or on next shot.

2) Crossover (if they are a very FH oriented player who likes to step around to hit pushes) A fast ball at the crossover is one good way to get an error. This player is looking to play a FH out of position. that is usualy a fail. Serves and loops there are good. Watch out for those BH oriented players. Many of those use a BH for that position and make a strong shot with the BH, but open themselves up for the counter.

3) Wide - Especially the wide BH. A FH looper absolutely hates having to try to attack balls to his BH when he expects a FH.

Another idea is to do what works with powerful FH monster attackers - hit a hookshot to the wide Fh, then make a fast return to the BH to end the point or get a ball to end it.

Too many ways to defeat a slow mover if they are not a good close to the table blocker/counterdriver. 3 ways is usually enough variety.

One other way I defeat these players is the 1-2-3 blocking system.

1) push to the crossover, make the attacker move to use a FH loop, block the loop (usually a predictable one as it is hit off balance)

2) (Block) to the wide FH. They will give chase from a poor off-balance position. MAYBE they get it back, usually not. If they do... then #3...

3) Block the ball from the wide FH down the BH line for a winner

If these players start to catch on and cheat to the FH side, then fast block to the BH line right away. Usually point over.

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Gambler All Rosewood
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Who among us is NOT a slowmover/poor footwork player? I would venture 99.9% of us are to some degree!

Yes indeed gentlemen.. Wide balls

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Any player with a weaker wing, is even more exposed directly after playing a stroke with their stronger wing, so If you are comfortable, allow them to play their strength, then switch.

Figure out immediately if you can where their crossover point is. It's not the same place for every player. Also, find out how they deal with balls to their middle.

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Butterfly Viscaria Black tag
2.2 mm Nexy Karis M on FH and BH

Spotting slow mover:
Slow movers generally have strong strokes in the mid fh, mid bh region and will generally look better than they are in practice

Understanding slow mover:
Some slow movers fall apart right next to their power zone but if they need to step, they can still do it sometimes. Some fall apart only when made to move a lot (more than a shot in the rally). This is very important to understand so you know when you need to attack especially if its a battle for control and not outright winners. Also check how good his transition is. Some are better than others and in case of a slow mover this skill is paramount.

Playing a slow mover:
Serve wide. Immediately put him in the unchartered by serves that break away. Very easy if he is a lefty and a lot of leftys move bad (more than you might think).

Play down the line. Slow movers love cross court rallies. Try playing with feet glued on the floor and you will see what I mean - for a still person, down the line shots are difficult to both hit and receive.

Irritate. When pushing, keep pushing wide angles. To be able to return varying pushes consistently, they would HAVE to step properly. This aspect of pushing is underrated and people miss a lot when they don't step in. Further, pushing rallies make a lot of people start playing passive games more than usual

Avoid THAT zone. No matter what avoid their power zone. If you can't, see which side they prefer when they hit. If they are bad at moving, chances are they hit power loops and smashes predictably

Hope that helps. I have a few players like that so I have had to think a lot about this. I still have problems against fast counterhitters who stand and hit but against all other types, slow movers have now become easy prey!

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Butterfly Timo Boll ALC FL, FH - Tenergy 05, BH - Tenergy 05
Buying equipment is like getting into a relationship. One night stands are great but you get the most out of it when you work at it for a long time.

We all differ in degrees as you said. 99.9% of us have a forehand loop also but that doesn't mean everyone has bad loops.

For a 2200 player bad footwork is different than that for a 1500 player. So while we differ in degrees, "bad footwork" still means something.

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Butterfly Timo Boll ALC FL, FH - Tenergy 05, BH - Tenergy 05
Buying equipment is like getting into a relationship. One night stands are great but you get the most out of it when you work at it for a long time.