Do you hold the bat using normal grip pressure? Or do you try to hold the bat as loosely as possible?

As loose as possible, but with the tip of my thumb pressing against the blade steadily at the time of impact.

thsi kind of systema ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PKfW2R6x_E

Do you hold the bat using normal grip pressure? Or do you try to hold the bat as loosely as possible?

I think its all very instinctive reactions that need to be built into it. Most the time I don't think about the shot, I just play it.

...just noticed this post and was about to pose the same question to other chop blockers.

I vary my grip pressure depending on incoming speed and spin, and whether my oponent is pushing the ball back, looping, fast looping, or flat hitting.

To get the most reversal on very fast balls and to deaden as best you can, I suggest a very loose grip. But with practice, you may want to return some of the same balls with a medium or hard grip.

All this variance will help to improve your game, but it takes considerable practice ...kind'a like twiddling (though easier to master). If you are just learning the tecniques, or trying to improve, I strongly suggest you try some very loose grip returns on blocks you take right off the table (on spinny, fast loops) ...you'll be surprised at the reversal increase achieved, and your ability to shorten the return.

...part of the deception of chop blocking is the appearence that you are not doing anything different stroke to stroke, when in fact, you are dictating the amount of reversal ...can't tell you how many points I win against strong (over 2,000) payers with "fake spin" pushes after a legitimate heavy push, or with heavy reversal on a chop block taken right off the table with a very loose grip.

Changing grip, or "faking" spin is especially effective at the end of long rally when your opponent has been "programmed" that a certain motion by you induces "x" amount of spin. The main difference I've noticed between 2,000 and 2400+ rated attackers, is that the later is patient and selects a ball that he knows the spin of to either kill or fast loop down the "other side". At high levels, changing grip, changing spin and "faking" shots is really a chess match that is a lot of fun and can fustrate your opposition to the point where they ask to take another look at your raquet.

...just noticed this post and was about to pose the same question to other chop blockers.

I vary my grip pressure depending on incoming speed and spin, and whether my oponent is pushing the ball back, looping, fast looping, or flat hitting.

To get the most reversal on very fast balls and to deaden as best you can, I suggest a very loose grip. But with practice, you may want to return some of the same balls with a medium or hard grip.

All this variance will help to improve your game, but it takes considerable practice ...kind'a like twiddling (though easier to master). If you are just learning the tecniques, or trying to improve, I strongly suggest you try some very loose grip returns on blocks you take right off the table (on spinny, fast loops) ...you'll be surprised at the reversal increase achieved, and your ability to shorten the return.

...part of the deception of chop blocking is the appearence that you are not doing anything different stroke to stroke, when in fact, you are dictating the amount of reversal ...can't tell you how many points I win against strong (over 2,000) payers with "fake spin" pushes after a legitimate heavy push, or with heavy reversal on a chop block taken right off the table with a very loose grip.

Changing grip, or "faking" spin is especially effective at the end of long rally when your opponent has been "programmed" that a certain motion by you induces "x" amount of spin. The main difference I've noticed between 2,000 and 2400+ rated attackers, is that the later is patient and selects a ball that he knows the spin of to either kill or fast loop down the "other side". At high levels, changing grip, changing spin and "faking" shots is really a chess match that is a lot of fun and can fustrate your opposition to the point where they ask to take another look at your raquet.