Brett,

If you watch this video and read the description, it appears this coach is advocating the same thing that you are: 1) a higher contact point and 2) an off center contact point to avoid the axis of rotation.

My question for you, though, revolves around this shot for shorter players. Since you and Nextlevel are quite tall, you are able to maintain an athletic stance with knees bent and forward lean and still contact the ball around shoulder height. If I do this, however, I end hitting the ball around eye height or above and it just doesn't feel comfortable.

So I suppose shorter players are by default forced to take this shot a little earlier, as we cannot maintain an athletic stance and still hit the ball at optimal contact height (shoulder level)? How tall was Wang Tao?

as we have seen, you need to take the ball a bit sideways, it will be more easy to counter the topspin. One thing I learn from a chinese coach who has been in the chinese team before, is that you don't need to overpower you shot as the ball has a lot of topspin. Ball placement sideways with a closer racket will do the job.

Also on prior video, players often finish their stroke with shoulders to much to the left. It make much more difficult to come back for the next shot and use to much strenght to come back and you will get tire to hit ball after just few balls. ( for righty) At the start, behind the endline of the table, your position should be about 45 degree angle of your line of direction, your left foot will be pointing toward the table and your right foot near 80-90 degree angle from the endline.

Then your weight should come from the back on your right foot and goes to the left foot and stop there. You should feel the weight pushing down on your left foot almost to the toes. It should create a kind of stop so your stroke doesn't go further then your left foot. It will become more easier to hit a good solid stroke with a more easier come back to a ready position.

When your forearm tenses to prepare for the block it pulls the bat head up. That and reaching out are both caused by too much anxiety about blocking. It should be easy if you let it.

So what is the fix for this unnecessary tension? I think we have all practiced lots of blocking and don't tense up too much in practice. So in matches, just relax? Any more technique than that?

When your forearm tenses to prepare for the block it pulls the bat head up. That and reaching out are both caused by too much anxiety about blocking. It should be easy if you let it.

So what is the fix for this unnecessary tension? I think we have all practiced lots of blocking and don't tense up too much in practice. So in matches, just relax? Any more technique than that?

BRS, "just relax" worries me a little. Tension is a result of fear and uncertainty. Having better technique (waiting for the ball etc) will help to reduce anxiety somewhat. Visualizing a match situation can really help if you know what you are doing.

Cheers,
Brett