OOAK Table Tennis Forum

I like his concept, it's a bit different than what I've heard before. Any comments?

I've been working on using hip rotation and power from legs and core rather than using arms and wrist. Makes a lot of sense.

Not so sure about hitting the ball early though. In my recent coaching I've explicitly been told to wait for the ball rather than hit it early.

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Yasaka Sweden Classic | 802 OX | C8 OX
Check out my blog - LordCope's Latest Learning Log - 10+ years of accumulate mistakes!

Early vs. late, as I see it. (Roughly)
Image shows trajectory of incoming ball which you are returning. You want to attack.

Position A (right after the bounce):
Highest upward speed. That upward speed can help you lift the ball when you are attacking against underspin, and also gives extra power to a passive block.
Largest horizontal angle available. If you want to move your opponent around, returning at this point gives the best side-to-side range.
Most spin. The ball will lose spin gradually because of air drag. Easier to handle spin later in the trajectory.

Position B (before the top of the trajectory):
Largest vertical angle available. If you are a hitter, this is where you can hit the hardest and still keep the ball on the table.

Position C (after the top of the trajectory):
Highest speed of ball relative to bat, because ball and bat move in exactly opposite directions. Better control (more adjustment available) and higher spin potential.
Good place to be when you are learning to loop, because you get a good feel for how your stroke affects the ball. The ball "digs" more into the rubber. (Does this apply to your situation, LC?)

In play:
Agressive blocking benefits from returning near A, counterlooping somewhere between A and B (but a bit past B is also OK). Optimal spot for a smash is around B. The powerlooper may prefer position C.

Note that these are my own findings, supported only by my own playing. Please comment if you find flaws in the logic and/or useability of this, so I don't further mislead the poor souls I try to coach

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My blog of failures, etc., also containing equipment list at "resurrection" (referred to in a few of my early posts), and my current lineup
Rating in the middle/low range in the region.
Moderating the LP Attacking subforum in the Technique section.

Superb stuff, Keme, thanks. Absolutely in line with my experience and what I've been being taught. Bear in mind also that most of my looping practice has been explicitly against underspin, rather than no-spin or topspin shots.

_________________
Yasaka Sweden Classic | 802 OX | C8 OX
Check out my blog - LordCope's Latest Learning Log - 10+ years of accumulate mistakes!