Hiya!
This has been in the works for a bit. I decided to translate a blog post from 2016 on a chinese TT forum about Huang Jianjiang's (黄建疆) 14 basic long pip strokes, as detailed on his instructional videos from 2008 and 2010. The blog author Hu Qingyuan (胡清源) compiled some essential technical and tactical points for each stroke into text w/ accompanying GIF animations. I supplemented some areas of the blog post I felt lacking with extra pointers taken from HJJ's videos. Hopefully this will be instructional to old and new LP players alike looking to develop a full repertoire of strokes.
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“黄老邪”建疆先生长胶攻防14技法 - The 14 fundamental long pimple strokes according to "Old Evil Huang".Huang Jianjiang started playing table tennis at 9 years old. He then worked in a production team in the Great Northern Wilderness for 17 years before returning to Beijing. In Beijing, he trained intensively to develop a unique "long pimple twiddling" playstyle. With his wide serve variation, unsettling ball trajectories, and tricky twiddle technique, the amateur table tennis community has given him the moniker of "Old Evil Huang".
Huang Jianjiang may be an "old evil", but he does not hide secrets and loves to teach his technique to others. He made a series of long pimple instructional videos to share his techniques with everyone. It could be said he is a very noble man, worthy of respect! This article is based on his instructional video, with 14 GIF animations which I carefully selected and converted from the original video. The technical descriptions provided are from the original video. Explanations are given from a right-handed player's POV.
Huang Jianjiang gives a total of 14 basic strokes for long pimples, seven for defense and seven for offense.
Defense: Push (搓), Sideswipe (撇), "Squeeze" (挤), Chop (削), Block (挡), Chop-block (磕), "Scratch" (刮)
Offense: "Bump" (拱), Punch (弹), Drive (抽), Smash (打), Flick (挑), "Carry" (带), Loop (拉)One - Defensive techniques1. Push. A push is used when receiving very spinny backspin balls. You must push deep into the baseline of the opponent's backhand side—this way, it will be harder for the opponent to start an attack and can cause him to instinctively push the ball back and make an error, greatly increasing your own attacking opportunities. Pushing should be used sparingly and especially not continuously, as unlike inverted pushing, the shot will be either topspin or no spin, so the opponent can easily attack if prepared. Pushing is best used either when the opponent is not familiar with the characteristics of long pips or as a surprise attack to catch an opponent off-guard, who is unable to react and adjust his stroke accordingly.
A well-timed push gives an easy high ball to attack.2. Sideswipe. The sideswipe can be used to receive a backspin serve or push.
Key technical points:
• It is important to keep the bat open, adjusting the angle according to the spinniness of the incoming ball
• The hitting motion goes from back to front, left to right.
A sideswiped ball is much faster than a push. Not only is it a straight shot (as opposed to cross-court), it bounces low and sinks quickly, making it difficult for the opponent to borrow its momentum for an offensive shot. This is great for taking away the initiative from third-ball attackers and other offensive opponents waiting to pivot-attack your return. The opponent will either lose the point outright or give a weak return, letting you take control of the game and generate opportunities to attack.
A sideswipe.3. "Squeeze". The “Squeeze" shot can be used when the opponent sends a topspin or side-topspin shot to your backhand side.
Key technical points:
• The angle between the bat and the table should be 90 degrees
• Hit the ball from back to front, right to left.
The “Squeezed” ball will be a side-backspin shot to the opponent's backhand position that curves to the left, making it difficult for the opponent to initiate an attack.
A "Squeeze" shot.4. Chop. Chopping can be used when receiving a sharp topspin or sharp backspin with your backhand. This shot consists of retreating slightly from the table and chopping downwards with your long pips. Compared to chopping with inverted rubbers, a larger downwards motion is required here. Chopping can be used for service return to minimise unforced errors (best used on your backhand side), or it can be used when you're caught in a stalemate. If the opponent attacks with a strong topspin shot, the long pips unique ”borrowing spin" mechanic can be exploited to send a very strong backspin chop—this is the advantage of long pips. When I find myself forced away from the table, I will deliberately give a couple chops—as long as the ball lands on the other side, it is very likely that a continued attack from the opponent will sink into the net. This is an effective way of using long pips to take initiative and regain control of the game.
A backhand shakehand chop.5. Block. Blocking can be used to return loops or push-blocks with both the forehand or backhand.
Key technical points:
• The angle between the bat and the table should be 90 degrees, adjusted accordingly to the ball's spinniness.
• Don't force the ball over but "eat" the ball, using its existing momentum to make it over the net.
• The bat should contact the middle of the ball.
Blocked balls will typically sink into the table with a low arc and fast speed, making it difficult for the opponent to continue with strong attacks.
A block.6. Chop-block. The difference between chop-blocking and blocking is that there is a small chopping motion moving from top-to-bottom and a greater effort to reduce the ball's momentum, making it more the more effective option defending against explosive loops.
Key technical points:
• “两抬一收”, lit. "two lifts, one retract". The "two lifts” refer to your heels and elbows—lifting your heels makes you taller and avoids stepping away from the table, lifting your elbows lets you contact the ball on its upper middle portion. "One retract" refers to retracting (contracting) the core to help absorb most of the ball's momentum.
• Contact the ball during its rise, the earlier the better.
The technique is the same for both forehand and backhand, though due to a human’s natural range of motion, a larger “chop” can be used on the forehand for a spinnier return. The advantage of the chop-block is that it is effective at defending against strong loops, sending them back with sharp backspin. The spinnier the opponent loops, the spinnier the return. The chop-block is a technique one
must master—it’s amongst the most important shots for long pips players.
A backhand chop-block.7. ”Scratch”. This technique is primarily used to deal with short backspin shots to your forehand.
Key technical points:
• Bat angle is essential—it should be open, but be careful with it. Too open, the ball goes out; too closed, you hit the net.
• Don't hit the ball too early. Let it gain some height.
• The general stroke motion is from top to bottom, right to left.
A proper “Scratch" should send a fast, floaty topspin/no spin shot. Aim to send the ball deep into the opponent's backhand corner so that they cannot pivot-attack and have to push. Prepare to go on the offensive with a punch or sideswipe, or a smash if the push is a high ball. Occasionally mix it up with a “Scratch" to their forehand to keep them on their toes.
A forehand "Scratch" deep into the opponent's backhand side, followed by an attack.Two - Offensive techniques8. "Bump" (lit. strong push). Typically refers to any powerful long pips push. The "bump” can be used for any backspin ball on your backhand side.
Key technical points:
• The bat should be quite open, about 120 degrees with the table. Adjust this according to the spin, height, and curve of the ball.
• Contact the ball at its highest point.
• the general stroke motion has the bat moving upwards and forward, accelerating upon contacting the ball.
A "bump” is a fast topspin shot. Its direction can easily be varied.
Multiple "bump" shots. Note how you can easily change directions.9. Punch (lit. Bounce). A punch can be used against any medium-to-short backspin shot down the middle or backhand side.
Key technical points:
• Open up the bat.
• Include a slight wind-up/backswing.
• Add power by springing the wrist forward when contacting the ball.
A punch gives a sharp backspin ball with some wobble, which will be difficult for the opponent to receive. Pay attention to your ball placement.
A strong punch into the backhand side. Note how the opponent was unable to react quick enough and netted the ball due to its backspin.10. Drive. A drive is used to return backspin balls. The stroke motion is similar to returning low backspin shots with short pips.
Key technical points:
• Open up the bat
• Bring your bat back for a wind-up,
• Then explode forward! generating power using core rotation and a decent amount of whip from your wrist
• Contact the lower middle section of the ball.
A drive gives a heavy yet floaty/wobbly backspin shot. Just like the traditional Chinese dual-winged attack, the drive can be employed for both forehand and backhand.
A drive against topspin or no-spin is amongst the most important techniques for offensive long pips play (though very difficult to master!). Its technique is slightly different to a drive against backspin.
Key technical points:
• angle the bat forward, about 80-90 degrees to the table
• Brush the ball a reasonable amount to prevent it from hitting the net.
• Use more strength than a fast “Carry”, but less than 100% of your power.
These drives will give a slightly heavy backspin shot.
A drive. Power!11. Smash. The difference between a drive and smash is it's used to hit high balls.
Key technical points:
• Prepare for the ball. Open up your torso and use your footwork to position yourself. You should be waiting for the ball to arrive, not trying to catch up to it.
• Open up the bat when hitting high backspin balls. For high topspin balls, slightly close the bat.
• Contact the upper middle section of the ball.
• Use medium strength—don't throw everything you have into it.
LP smashes are fast, heavy, and floaty. The opponent won't be used to them and will be very uncomfortable.
A smash. Power!!12. Flick. To prepare for a flick, step-in with your right foot (if right handed) and pay attention to any changes in the ball’s trajectory. Make sure to use plenty of forearm and wrist. Depending on the spin of the incoming ball, your bat angle will be different—backspin balls require an open angle, whilst topspin and no-spin balls require a more vertical angle. When flicking against backspin, slightly “flip" the ball.
A forehand flick.13. "Carry". When the opponent loops to your forehand side, you can use the “Carry” technique to return with an offensive shot. Without backing up from the table, keep your hand high and brush the upper-middle part of the ball. The earlier you hit the ball, the better, otherwise the ball can easily go out of bounds. Compared to a chop-block, a fast “Carry” will give a faster shot with some wobble effect, but contain less backspin. This fast and lively counter limits the opponent’s ability to continuously attack.
A "carry" shot.14. Loop. As there are plenty of techniques available to deal with backspin, LP looping is mainly used to deal with choppers. It generally acts to generate opportunities for yourself, enticing the opponent to make unforced errors. As choppers typically have a strong and weak side, loop to the side you're more confident on attacking.
Key technical points:
• prepare for the ball, have a reasonable backswing.
• Wait for the ball, aim to contact it during it's falling action.
• Keep the bat open.
• Brush the ball sufficiently, aiming to "catch” it in your bat.
• Don't use too much power, just aim to get it on the table.
This way, the opposing chopper will have to chop a no-spin ball, and continued looping will create an opportunity to attack. As loops with long pimples are relatively slow, it should be used in combination with “Tuo”*. Once the opportunity arises, attack with drives and smashes, creating dangerous situations for the opponent and forcing him to be passive.
A loop.乒乓网 胡清源 Ping Pong Net, Hu Qingyuan
2016年3月31日 2016 March 31
Footnotes:
*I am not sure what the Tuo (托) technique is. First time it's been mentioned.
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Thanks for reading. I am unsure of the names of some shots—some I allocated to what I think is the closest equivalent, some I just gave up and translated literally
. If you have any corrections or suggestions, please leave a reply.
Here's all the GIFs together:
https://imgur.com/a/cOwuvfiOriginal blog post:
http://www.pingpangwang.com/thread-77538-1-1.html (Possible dead link, here's an archived version:
https://web.archive.org/web/20170627010 ... 8-1-1.html)
Relevant Videos:
His 2008 Technical Video (3 parts) -
https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1Yt411J7PZ?p=1His 2010 Strategy Video -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scutTnA2rogCheers