OOAK Table Tennis Forum

I just broke 1800 USATT. I have been playing 11 years with most of the improvement coming in the last 2 years (gained about 180 rating points in my first year of playing tournaments here in the US). I am a two winged looper with a heavy spin based game. I have a very good blocking game and good serves. Also, I feel I have very good tactics. My weaknesses are movement, dependence on a big strokes meaning low recovery and ball placement.

I want to know what are the typical improvements one needs when going from 1800 to 2000. Also, what are the key differentiating factors between these two levels

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A long time ago, I wrote a 51 point gig list of why players do not advance and stay at a low level. A LOT of that would apply fro a player in the 1800 range trying to grow level to 2000 level.

I will make a very abbreviated list.

The FIRST and foremost thing separating those two levels is the ability to read spin.

Here are some other major factors that need improvement to move up that one level. Most of these won't need much explanation to a player of your above average level.

- Serve receive

- Consistent, heavy, well placed deep 1st attack and ability to follow it up with heavy pressure or finish

- Blocking with direction, change of pace, angles or depth

- Ability to keep it short when needed

- Shot selection and point construction

- Ability to land shots under pressure

- Experience vs a wider variety of players

- Quality of push or other non-aggressive non-attacking shots

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The best thing is enter higher events and see what you need to work on
the main three things I notice are
your best serves will come back more often
the opponents short game is better
and you may have to play more shots to get a point

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I would put it down to two broad things: Consistency and Polish. These things are largely caught up in Der's points. Better players simply have a greater fluid motion on their shots generally and are in position more often to carry them out. This either comes down to good footwork or ability to body and arm position well enough to improvise if they are limited in mobility. Practicing with someone of the object level or higher will assist you as you have to do these things to cope with what they give you. If you don't cope, you aren't getting there.

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I may have no business responding to this topic because I am not 2000+ or even 1800... s*** I dont even have a rating. But I have played against 1800+ and 2400+ players although only a handfull of times ( one hand that is ).

Play lots of pip players!

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Watch videos or watch live A grade squash matches. The players do not run,they lunge.

It took me playing a few hundred squash pennant matches to figure out how they can retrieve with so little effort and amazing balance.

My defensive footwork in t/t changed after playing squash. I no longer cross legs over while trying to return wide ball.

Offensively my footwork is terrible as i'm too lazy to move around the b/h for easy f/h smash,but that is laziness.

Positioning and accuracy in the placement of shots. 2000 level players can anticipate where the ball is going better and can make the necessary position. For lower level players, its hitting the ball even out of position.

I have no official rating however.

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