OOAK Table Tennis Forum

In your own experience, what has been or maybe still is, the hardest aspect of table tennis to learn?

For some reason, the first time an opponent puts the ball on my forehand I feel obliged to try and hit the ball hard for a clean winner it's almost as if the ITTF have passed a new law, law 666, saying if the ball goes to your forehand you must hit a clean winner hard or you forfeit the point! I often have no concept of the target I'm aiming for, in hindsight I don't even think I even focus on hitting the table, I may not even watch the ball! It's just "it's my forehand, hit the dam thing, hit it hard"

At the moment, attacking with LP's. I've been practising it and doing ok but in a serious game I just go all defensive and rarely seem to risk it.

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2. S&T Black & White / Armstrong SH-I 1.8 / TSP Curl P3 Alpha R OX

reading spin

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Chasse Patate

Realizing I have more time than I think I do.

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"When in doubt, chop. If still in doubt, chop again" USATT 1607
I.Tibhar Stratus Power Defense; FH: Victas V > 15 Extra 2.0mm; BH: Giant Dragon Meteorite 0.5mm
II. Butterfly Joo Se Hyuk; FH: Butterfly Tenergy 05 1.9mm; BH:Giant Dragon Meteorite 0.5mm
III. Tibhar Stratus Power Wood; FH: Butterfly Tenergy 05 2.1mm; BH: Victas V > 01 Stiff 2.0mm

Concentration. I am too esily distracted and too often lose focus.

The physical bit is easy in comparison.

Getting nervous or over thinking instead of focussing to play my game.

Sent from my Z1 using Tapatalk

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Backup C-pen blades:

• TSP Black Balsa 7.0 :
  1. FH/BH-YRakza9/XOmegaVT
  2. FH/BH-TSP Spectol/Yinhe Qing OX
• 729 Bomb C-P : FH/BH-DHS H2 Orig/DHS H3 Orig
• TSP Versal :
  1. FH/BH-XOmegaVA/YJupiter-II
  2. FH/BH-*blank*

Fun blades:

• Yasaka Battle Balsa(ST) : FH/BH- DHS TG2Neo/Gewo HypeXT 47
• Dr. Neubauer
  High Technology
  Cypress-Carbon(ST)
  ***************************** : FH/BH-YRakza7/YRakza7

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Interesting. This forum is dominated by equipment threads whilst the mental side of the game is often overlooked.

Debater wrote:


Yeah, well, my game has often been described as mental.

I merely read the equipment threads but pay more attention to rules, tactics, strategy, mental approach, etc hopefully not in that order - etc after all is important too. There are a few of us who could be termed anti-EJs.

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Retriever (sometimes golden, but often leaden)
Moderator, Inverted Retriever Technique sub-forum - http://ooakforum.com/viewforum.php?f=74

Mmm, now that could make an interesting topic. "are you an anti-EJ and why"

Reading spin then being tough on end game.. It takes a lot of concentration to win a close match.

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Enjoy the game. It is a never ending learning experience once you play and keep the ball on that 45 sq ft of space or should I say half of that space.

Being mentally prepared, calm, and trying not to feel tense (mentally, I always play relaxed physically now, though that took some time ), especially if the score is pretty even and nearing the set. I literally feel weight on me when I have to win the point for the game, or to prevent a loss and make it to deuce. And I don’t even play at an amateur level man. Geez.

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Blade: Victas Koji Matsushita Offensive FL
FH: Victas VS > 401 2.0
BH: Victas Spectol S1 1.5

Rating: Recreational Player

- Avoiding swearing on court as yellow cards are bad (I only swear at myself, I "swear")
- practicing the things I need to practice instead of the things I want to
- Consequently DOING the things I need to instead of the things I think are more fun (in matches)

As far as what needs to be learnt - Footwork. I struggle every day with making sure I move the most efficient way possible, and it's something that no matter what I do, does not come easily.

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

"slappy slappy slappity slap"

^ This ^. Ok, may be not the swearing part, less of an issue here, and lack of umpires obviously helps.

Extra vote for footwork - really tough to learn for this adult TT enthusiast.

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USATT: 1807 | League: 1887

Footwork, agreed! I am learning the cross over for the first time because Jpen is forcing me to. It's so easy to forget the lower half of your body during a game.

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