auzcar wrote:
I've been struggling a lot the past week or so and I really feel that now is the moment when it's just for me to buckle up and keep my eyes on the goal, because I have som tough months ahead of me. It's also very tough to play against players that are in, or on the verge, of the top 100's in Sweden and have practiced with and played in the same team as a defender their whole lives. Really takes the spirit out of you sometimes when you get battered all the time. Players in the club that I used to beat I still seem to beat but not as easily as before, but that was expected, there's no being lazy with this style and setup.
What I feel I need to improve is the first chop/push. At the moment I allow my opponent to loop too hard and wide and against the good players in the club the point is often over after their first attack. If I manage to keep the first chop low and on the table though I usually have a 50%+ win ratio on those points, even against the better players. I will look at some matches of the top defenders to see how they set up the point but if you guys have any tips and pointers I will gladly hear them.
Next weekend I have five league-matches and it'll be interesting to find out where I really stand.
What I feel I need to improve is the first chop/push. At the moment I allow my opponent to loop too hard and wide and against the good players in the club the point is often over after their first attack. If I manage to keep the first chop low and on the table though I usually have a 50%+ win ratio on those points, even against the better players. I will look at some matches of the top defenders to see how they set up the point but if you guys have any tips and pointers I will gladly hear them.
Next weekend I have five league-matches and it'll be interesting to find out where I really stand.
Stay true to your long term goal!
About serveice returns to generate a "nice" first attack from your opponent variation is the key I think. Push with LP, push with inverted, place the different. Punch with lp fast and hard if service is a little too high (look at Bogeyhunters video with Chen W for this). To make your opponent unsure what to expect is important. And if you use a lot of spin normally in your own serve or in your oushes with inverted, do so for the first set. Then try to do tha same motion but sometimes use a stiff wrist so there will be much less spin. This is especially good to do with pushes with inverted on BH - sometimes lots of backspin and then the same motion but not nearly as much back spin. You can be as deceptive with inverted as with LP, most of us just kind of forget about this.
Be on your toes, be very fast away from the table when you decide to chop. But sometimes you need to stay at the table. Try to chop or push to elbow and make sure opponent will go for a loop like you would back away and chop. Then stay at the table and block with inverted on BH. If you are used to block with inverted on BH then this is a very good way to mess up your opponents game. Just when he thought he knew what was going on you change. And then do it again
. Most oppnnets do not expect you to do odd things twice in a row, so do that 
Also, you might loose to people you normally win against. But you will also be able to win agasint those who you never beaten before. You do not know before the match if they are good against YOUR type of defensive game! Good luck!
