OOAK Table Tennis Forum

Yeah, you're right. It's odd, because I often find FH attacks easier when I'm playing defensively. Probably because I only consciously pick easy balls to attack, rather than forcing myself to step around my backhand and play a challenging loop etc.

This would be a good drill for me, I'll mention it to my coach. Recently I've found most of the static drills easy-ish, but any drills involving a decision way harder.

I attended a group coaching session last night, a session that my one-to-one coach runs, and we did some decision-making drills which I really struggled with both when performing the drill and controlling it.

I think a lot of this comes down to my footwork. That's going to be my focus in the coming months.

_________________
My blog: "Learning to play: as a modern defender": http://ooakforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=22254
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtazeX ... oICGS9bqNg
Join the OOAK Discord!: https://discord.gg/Yw2hYUdz3g

[Other gear I've used]
Blades: Butterfly Defence 3, Butterfly Defence Pro, Butterfly Innerforce ZLC, Butterfly Innershield, DHS Power G7, Stiga Offensive Classic Carbon
SPs: Friendship 802 (1.5), TSP Spectol (1.3, 1.8, 2.1), TSP Spectol Speed (1.3), TSP Super Spinpips Chop Sponge 2 (0.5, 1.3)
LPs: Butterfly Feint Long II (1), Butterfly Feint Long III (0.5, 1.3), Tibhar Grass D.TecS (OX), TSP Curl P1-R (0.5, 1, 1.3), TSP Curl P4 (1.3)

Here's a video of me playing defensively - against a player who doesn't often attack. Prepare for lots of pushing....



Set 2 (2mins 50sec) was my best effort in this match. I moved really well, pushed consistently and my opponent could do very little against me. Set 3 I then immediately lost concentration because of a few external factors and played some terrible shots.

I'm going to try and start all future matches like this - practice and competitive - and see if I can slowly start to build in a forehand attack on loose pushes. This is where life gets difficult... because I can loop the vast majority of James' pushes, but that doesn't necessarily mean I should.

How do you guys pick the right ball to loop? Is it a long push? Or perhaps a mid/long push with lighter backspin, something you can kill?

_________________
My blog: "Learning to play: as a modern defender": http://ooakforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=22254
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtazeX ... oICGS9bqNg
Join the OOAK Discord!: https://discord.gg/Yw2hYUdz3g

[Other gear I've used]
Blades: Butterfly Defence 3, Butterfly Defence Pro, Butterfly Innerforce ZLC, Butterfly Innershield, DHS Power G7, Stiga Offensive Classic Carbon
SPs: Friendship 802 (1.5), TSP Spectol (1.3, 1.8, 2.1), TSP Spectol Speed (1.3), TSP Super Spinpips Chop Sponge 2 (0.5, 1.3)
LPs: Butterfly Feint Long II (1), Butterfly Feint Long III (0.5, 1.3), Tibhar Grass D.TecS (OX), TSP Curl P1-R (0.5, 1, 1.3), TSP Curl P4 (1.3)

It's really the other extreme lol but I enjoy it.

At 3:26 you should add more of those in, you probably already know but that will entice him to attack or give you weak ball to open.
When you twiddle more it starts to become very effective vs him.
The point at 11:45 was beautiful!

For me (if I could FH chop like you) I would go for the slightly high, or really long non heavy pushes but would spin 1 or 2 up to add variation. But since I can't chop like you I go for almost every long/medium long to FH when I played defensive

_________________
my youtube
http://www.youtube.com/ndragon88

My Vlog / Blog
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=32572

The attacks, to me, just depend on what you like. I really enjoy looping vs back spin or dead balls, so I use my lp to set those up and have them aiming toward my forehand side.

What I've found (much to my shame and sorrow), was that against guys like the retriever in your video, I can win so much easier by staying at the table and blocking them down. I would barely back up to chop, at all! I played vs some opponents, and they were not huge attackers by any stretch... but if I played the chopping game, they could win many more points and maybe even a game here and there. When I said, wtf!? Why am I even backing up... I stayed close and walloped them like 11-1.

Maybe that just means I'm a better blocker than a chopper

To me, aside from forcing the defensive style, there's no real point to resorting to the chop game against players who cannot or will not attack strongly. And not once in a while... they need to be heavy attackers going after most balls. Otherwise, unless you want to force the classic defense game, you're probably better off staying close and working setups for your own kill shots. If that fails because they can return them or you miss... then revert back to classic d and see how it goes.

_________________
SOULSPIN CUSTOM BLADES
Fh: Spinny rubber
Bh: Not so spinny rubber...

Patience is the key, along with good footwork, against such an opponent. And make sure not to wait too long before you attack with FH. If you haven't attacked in like 10 points, you will feel a little rusty trying to loop. And when you decide to go for it, do it without hesitation, with all your heart and soul .

Have a look at this match, young Polish short pip defender against a safe player. https://youtu.be/ABirKSFaaJ4

_________________
Def-attack's attempts to find balance between defence/attack | Getting better - health and game |
My Youtube

Yeah, perhaps, but you'll only see me playing this shot when I'm out of position - because I hate the way it looks!! I'm only happy playing LP shots if they're more active strokes, e.g. proper pushes or rolls/hits. I really dislike that block-like-pad-type thing.


Hahah, thanks, couldn't resist the FH attack.


Yeah I think for me here the key will probably be length. If a ball comes long, where I can attack it without having to really move close to the table, I should go for it. If it's float, I should try to play a fast, angled loop. If it's backspin, I should spin it up. If it's too heavy though, I'll just push it back, because it's very hard to play a good loop against a heavy backspin ball when you're moving in to the table.

_________________
My blog: "Learning to play: as a modern defender": http://ooakforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=22254
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtazeX ... oICGS9bqNg
Join the OOAK Discord!: https://discord.gg/Yw2hYUdz3g

[Other gear I've used]
Blades: Butterfly Defence 3, Butterfly Defence Pro, Butterfly Innerforce ZLC, Butterfly Innershield, DHS Power G7, Stiga Offensive Classic Carbon
SPs: Friendship 802 (1.5), TSP Spectol (1.3, 1.8, 2.1), TSP Spectol Speed (1.3), TSP Super Spinpips Chop Sponge 2 (0.5, 1.3)
LPs: Butterfly Feint Long II (1), Butterfly Feint Long III (0.5, 1.3), Tibhar Grass D.TecS (OX), TSP Curl P1-R (0.5, 1, 1.3), TSP Curl P4 (1.3)

Ooh, thanks for the link, I've watched the first 30 seconds (gotta take son to school) and it looks perfect for what we're discussing here.

You're 100% right about the footwork. I'm going to ask my coach if we can do some footwork drills where I focus exclusively on "good form", both with my feet and my technique. E.g. instead of playing massive forehand winners, let's try to focus on 60% power with the correct technique - go back to basics, essentially.

I want to "bounce" like the young lad in the video you linked!

_________________
My blog: "Learning to play: as a modern defender": http://ooakforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=22254
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtazeX ... oICGS9bqNg
Join the OOAK Discord!: https://discord.gg/Yw2hYUdz3g

[Other gear I've used]
Blades: Butterfly Defence 3, Butterfly Defence Pro, Butterfly Innerforce ZLC, Butterfly Innershield, DHS Power G7, Stiga Offensive Classic Carbon
SPs: Friendship 802 (1.5), TSP Spectol (1.3, 1.8, 2.1), TSP Spectol Speed (1.3), TSP Super Spinpips Chop Sponge 2 (0.5, 1.3)
LPs: Butterfly Feint Long II (1), Butterfly Feint Long III (0.5, 1.3), Tibhar Grass D.TecS (OX), TSP Curl P1-R (0.5, 1, 1.3), TSP Curl P4 (1.3)

The point at 14:04, holy crap!!!!!

That's a really good video, I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. I love his balance of attack and defence. The other guy really didn't mind pushing...

_________________
My blog: "Learning to play: as a modern defender": http://ooakforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=22254
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtazeX ... oICGS9bqNg
Join the OOAK Discord!: https://discord.gg/Yw2hYUdz3g

[Other gear I've used]
Blades: Butterfly Defence 3, Butterfly Defence Pro, Butterfly Innerforce ZLC, Butterfly Innershield, DHS Power G7, Stiga Offensive Classic Carbon
SPs: Friendship 802 (1.5), TSP Spectol (1.3, 1.8, 2.1), TSP Spectol Speed (1.3), TSP Super Spinpips Chop Sponge 2 (0.5, 1.3)
LPs: Butterfly Feint Long II (1), Butterfly Feint Long III (0.5, 1.3), Tibhar Grass D.TecS (OX), TSP Curl P1-R (0.5, 1, 1.3), TSP Curl P4 (1.3)

Just a little update from me. Today I've accepted an offer to start a new job, and in the past 6 working days I've had 9 interviews So I've been a bit manic!

I've still been playing TT a lot though, still got the bug, and it has been great escapism from the interview stress Haven't played any league matches though.

I had a session with Graeme on the 26th November where we went quite hard on my forehand chop and my general forehand third ball receive, etc. We did a lot on consistency and footwork, which was great.

I've got some footage of it but the camera angle is annoyingly bad I might try and upload some bits from it anyway, if I can be bothered.

_________________
My blog: "Learning to play: as a modern defender": http://ooakforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=22254
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtazeX ... oICGS9bqNg
Join the OOAK Discord!: https://discord.gg/Yw2hYUdz3g

[Other gear I've used]
Blades: Butterfly Defence 3, Butterfly Defence Pro, Butterfly Innerforce ZLC, Butterfly Innershield, DHS Power G7, Stiga Offensive Classic Carbon
SPs: Friendship 802 (1.5), TSP Spectol (1.3, 1.8, 2.1), TSP Spectol Speed (1.3), TSP Super Spinpips Chop Sponge 2 (0.5, 1.3)
LPs: Butterfly Feint Long II (1), Butterfly Feint Long III (0.5, 1.3), Tibhar Grass D.TecS (OX), TSP Curl P1-R (0.5, 1, 1.3), TSP Curl P4 (1.3)

Nice one on the new job!
Ah the good old TT bug I haven't laughed this much while playing since 10 years ago! Gotta love a bit of TT

_________________
my youtube
http://www.youtube.com/ndragon88

My Vlog / Blog
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=32572

I'm still playing, still enjoying, slowly getting back to form... though I'm down to 1 evening per week at the moment because I'm also prepping for a golf trip to Portugal in April.

Right now my focus is my forehand loop. I think I'm starting it way too low. I really struggle with incoming balls that aren't backspin. Has anyone seen any advice on starting position for a FH loop?

_________________
My blog: "Learning to play: as a modern defender": http://ooakforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=22254
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtazeX ... oICGS9bqNg
Join the OOAK Discord!: https://discord.gg/Yw2hYUdz3g

[Other gear I've used]
Blades: Butterfly Defence 3, Butterfly Defence Pro, Butterfly Innerforce ZLC, Butterfly Innershield, DHS Power G7, Stiga Offensive Classic Carbon
SPs: Friendship 802 (1.5), TSP Spectol (1.3, 1.8, 2.1), TSP Spectol Speed (1.3), TSP Super Spinpips Chop Sponge 2 (0.5, 1.3)
LPs: Butterfly Feint Long II (1), Butterfly Feint Long III (0.5, 1.3), Tibhar Grass D.TecS (OX), TSP Curl P1-R (0.5, 1, 1.3), TSP Curl P4 (1.3)

I've been keeping my blog up to date on the OOAK Discord server, but figured I would add some footage from my Monday night training session on the forum too. Would love any analysis/advice.

_________________
My blog: "Learning to play: as a modern defender": http://ooakforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=22254
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtazeX ... oICGS9bqNg
Join the OOAK Discord!: https://discord.gg/Yw2hYUdz3g

[Other gear I've used]
Blades: Butterfly Defence 3, Butterfly Defence Pro, Butterfly Innerforce ZLC, Butterfly Innershield, DHS Power G7, Stiga Offensive Classic Carbon
SPs: Friendship 802 (1.5), TSP Spectol (1.3, 1.8, 2.1), TSP Spectol Speed (1.3), TSP Super Spinpips Chop Sponge 2 (0.5, 1.3)
LPs: Butterfly Feint Long II (1), Butterfly Feint Long III (0.5, 1.3), Tibhar Grass D.TecS (OX), TSP Curl P1-R (0.5, 1, 1.3), TSP Curl P4 (1.3)

You need someone who can consistently loop

You are very right.Many defensive players do not have a consistent looper in their clubs.This is another problem defensive players have to deal with.

Be it a blocker or a chopper,they need quality training sessions EVERY time .

yeah, that's definitely something I don't have

think I've said this before, but in hindsight, I would've been far better off learning to play as an orthodox two-wing looper

I'm reliant upon good quality practice that I just don't have access to

once I move house, I'll have a proper training venue with my robot - but that's a few years away

_________________
My blog: "Learning to play: as a modern defender": http://ooakforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=22254
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtazeX ... oICGS9bqNg
Join the OOAK Discord!: https://discord.gg/Yw2hYUdz3g

[Other gear I've used]
Blades: Butterfly Defence 3, Butterfly Defence Pro, Butterfly Innerforce ZLC, Butterfly Innershield, DHS Power G7, Stiga Offensive Classic Carbon
SPs: Friendship 802 (1.5), TSP Spectol (1.3, 1.8, 2.1), TSP Spectol Speed (1.3), TSP Super Spinpips Chop Sponge 2 (0.5, 1.3)
LPs: Butterfly Feint Long II (1), Butterfly Feint Long III (0.5, 1.3), Tibhar Grass D.TecS (OX), TSP Curl P1-R (0.5, 1, 1.3), TSP Curl P4 (1.3)