Daily Table Tennis Chit Chat

[OldschoolPenholder]

Last night, I hit for 3 hrs pretty much non-stop.

Blocked for 'Mommy' ... she likes to hit with me as she knows i'm a little better than her and appreciates me just blocking for her. I periodically used my FH stroke to return her shots.

At some point she asks if i was bored just blocking, i said no. However, she asked one of the young guys (who shows up infrequently as they are college students) to hit with me. I've watched him play before, he's a SH LP chopper... M2 says he's 1900. He was waiting for next on a table where his other friends, also college students, were playing. He came over to hit with me. We just hit FH-FH and his FH-to my BH block. Didn't remember to check his FH side if it was LP or short pips, ball didn't come back 'weird' so guessing SP. After 15 mins, he went back to his table when it was his turn.

Hit with Mommy again. Total 2 hrs 15 mins. I am liking the Nexy Amazon CPen and MX-P setup a lot. Blocks are low, mostly used to the MX-P on blocks now with a sometimes misjudge and ball blocks back high or off the table. Learning that the MX-P does some of the 'work'.

Hit with M2 for 15 mins, a 2300 SH next. He has a killer BH and I am able to BH block 50% of his shots. Sometimes my close-to-the-table blocking works against me as i misjudge the power and speed of his BH smash. But really liking the Amazon and MX-P. In the past, have used a DHS H3 and gotten used to it on blocking. The MX-P on M2's BH smashes did a lot of the work for me. We practiced some serves also. M2 is a smart and good server. For whatever reason, i am able to return his pendulum side/sidetop serve by guiding/angling it to his FH. His short serves always gets me. Brain is telling my foot and arm to step in and either push or pick but am too slow to execute.

Discussed with M2 the weight of the Amazon and how it's too light. He says it won't generate any power. I explained that adding an inverted on the backside, as well as short pips, was too heavy for me. My hand hurt after 1 night of play with that setup. Ordered a LP Ox and will see how that affects the weight. For now, still trying to get consistent with my game, will not be using the LP in play.

Hit with B next for 15 mins. Past few times, I just BH block as he works his FH loop.

Called it a night. For my partners, they think I get bored of just BH blocking, but they don't realize or don't remember that the Amazon and MX-P are both new for me, I'm still getting used to it. It's been about 3 weeks. Also as I have no real BH stroke/smash, BH blocking has to be a stable staple of my game.

There are some partners I'm able to work my FH stroke and/or FH loops, but lately I've not hit with them. Will soon. Haven't really been playing matches much lately. When I do, generally serving side-down and looking for 3rd ball slow topspin loop, as Der_Echte worked with me ~3 wks ago. Also, as NextLevel worked with me on serves, trying to shorten my pendulum serve motion to like NL's and Brett Clark's ... amazing how the short stroke can still have spin by them, I still need the long motion, but really trying to 'get' the short stroke. Will take me forever. As I watch videos of my serves/matches, i see unconsciously/muscle memory takes over and that I have the same pre-serve motions which gets me to my pendulum serve long motion. Fascinating to see the video of myself and marvel at the Human Body/Brain and how 'muscle memory' is on autopilot.

Thus ends this 'novel'... as always thank you to TTD CCers for giving a chance to share my TT journey after a 30+yrs layoff.

 

[OldschoolPenholder]

Whip pattern for backspin and pendulum serves.

Thank you Sir!

 

[OldschoolPenholder]

21 shot rally.

youtu.be/xILM0jkkO9A?t=704

At ~11:53-11:54 - Kumar, P almost missed your 11th ball and it goes on for another 10 balls!

Very cool!

 

[42andbackpains]

Whip mechanics.

I am interested in your whip mechanics explanation. Please explain the whip mechanics in service returns. Inquiring minds would like to know. Thanks and keep it bouncing

 

[Boogar]

My two Nittaku H3 Neo arrived today I only had to wait two working days :O
I heard that nittaku H3 Neo are like provincial ones. Same topsheet ( thinner than commercial) and a bit softer sponge.

Now i have to dash before the Goon squad finds me! Help me Der_!

 

[OldschoolPenholder]

now i have to dash before the goon squad finds me! Help me der_!

bwhahahahahahaha!!

 

[NextLevel]

When it comes to changing your service motion or whip pattern, you just have to act like you are learning an entirely new serve or you will never have a chance to change.

 

[OldschoolPenholder]

When it comes to changing your service motion or whip pattern, you just have to act like you are learning an entirely new serve or you will never have a chance to change.

i know, but dayum my muscle memory!

i may have to try Brett Clark's stick trick for a while to really short circuit my muscle memory.

 

[NextLevel]

I am interested in your whip mechanics explanation. Please explain the whip mechanics in service returns. Inquiring minds would like to know. Thanks and keep it bouncing

The whip pattern is back and forth. What you are seeing is the recoil at the end of the stroke in some cases when the wrist is very loose.

 

[JeffM]

Today is the third time I went to play as a substitute for this team in Grade B Pennant.
As I seriously need to devote all my time and energy into studying for my final exams, I have decided that this night will be my last competitive table tennis matches for the rest of 2016 until the end of my exams, which finishes at the very end of November. As such, in my mind, I really want to perform well, to get a good finish. Because of that and generally assessment during the day, I did not sleep well at all last night, frequently finding myself waking up again and again. I had to start hospital earlier today, and it turned out to end later than usual as well, so I did not really have much of a rest before going for my matches. Things just didn't seem to work out before I got there, but I am determined to give it all Ive got as the final time.

As I got to the arena, all of my opponents are mature age, with lots of years of experience.

First singles match: Against an shakehander with an unorthodox style. He had some tricks up his sleeve, but I soon unconsciously resorted to my forehand loops. As I have played alot of competitive matches in this recent period of time, I felt my form was quite good, and as such, I was able to put alot of spin on my loops, especially when I serve a short backspin and it returns long. I still make the occasional backhand RPB attack that reminds them I can use my RPB, but for the majority of points that I gain, I have obtained them through variation in serve, variation in my loop placement, and the super spinny loops. I did not have much trouble with that match, won it 3-0. Good start.

Second match: To my surprise, I am involved in the first doubles, probably as I have performed very well getting the first point for my team as my other 2 teammates both lost their first doubles. Again, used my spinny loops, and the opponents just cant deal with the spin! Eventually one of them can sort of adjust to it if i put it to his forehand side, so my solution to that? Put it to his backhand side LOL. We took the first 2 sets, and then they took one set, and in the final set, I was determined to push through despite coming from behind, and took that set down. So we won 3-1.

Third match: Against a more conventional shakehander. I don't know whether it is their age or their style, the opponents today are not too good at attacking my serves, so I can sort of predict what will come back depending on what I serve. If I serve short backspin, it will be a chop, unless they attempt to lift it which will end in the net unless they are higher level than me. If I do long serves, it will either surprise them, or they will put it to my forehand side fast which surprised me! I learned that soon so I stop doing it as often lol. Anyway, again I use my trusty spinny forehand loops, and constantly reminding myself to not act impulsively, play spinny landing shots, and generally there is not much resistance. Won that match 3-0 or 3-1.

To my surprise again, my team put me down to play in the second doubles. Initially I was a bit hesitant about it, as I have had a long day with not much rest, and I am slightly starting to feel tired. But I am also happy that my team valued me this much today and gave me the honour to play both doubles. So I didn't object and complied. I knew however, that I really do not want to drag this match out, as doubles can be very tiring with lots of moving around. So I tried finishing it early, and we did, 3-0. Slow spinny loops. Gave the opponents alot of frustration, and they simply cant do anything about it. They knew what is coming for them, and nothing can be done. 3-0 Win.

Last match: Their no 1 seed, an unorthodox left hander Shakehand, who beat both of my teammates. As I have won all 4 of my matches so far, I have a strong motivation to play well and finish strong in all my matches. So I kept up my intensity, and continued to use what seemed impossible to breach tonight, my forehand spinny loops. I will vary between slow ones, which is super spinny (they knew they cant block it, so they resort to smashing it in hope that it lands, or they will try block it and fail). Later this opponent tried figuring out my hitting pattern of my loops, so he would serve a half long backspin serve to me, and he knew I will put it to his backhand side, so he was really ready to block it back and he would succeed. With him starting to adjust to the spinniness of my loops, instead of worrying/ panicking, I begin to vary my placement of my loops: Backhand, middle, forehand. That worked. The variation meant that he had alot less idea where it will go, and that decreased his return rate alot. Adding in the variation of the faster aggressive loops and the slow spinny ones. I won that match 3-0.

In the end, I am feeling quite exhausted in terms of physical energy, but I am also very happy as I have done what I have determined to do, finish strong on my last day of competitive table tennis for 2016 until the end of my exams. The spinny loops just seemed to be too strong for my opponents today. None of them tried counter looping them though, although counter looping does require alot of footwork to be in the right position. I will continue to practice counter looping when the opportunity arises if I manage to train with my particular friend.

Overall, finished the night with winning 5/5 matches in B Grade. Mission accomplished for the time being.
Will search in my videos for any great points.

 

[NextLevel]

Counterlooping and punch blocking or blocking the first loop and stepping back to counterloop are all the next level, JeffM. You need to nail this level down so that you don't lose to a certain level of opponent anymore then you can battle with the next level, who will sometimes not show their true level until you prove you cannot be blocked to.

Seems like you are on your way. Good job.

 

[OldschoolPenholder]

Si-hing,

First and foremost, GOOD LUCK on your finals!

2nd, CONGRATULATIONS! Awesome performance/results!! So happy to read your report!

... As such, in my mind, I really want to perform well, to get a good finish. Because of that and generally assessment during the day, I did not sleep well at all last night, frequently finding myself waking up again and again.

2 points for your consideration:

1) Thinking of performance and/or winning/losing sometimes produces unnecessary stress about oneself, as witness what happened to you. Easy to say, hard to do.

2) In this specific case, you won all your matches... imagine how much better you would've performed if you had a good night's sleep! My point is, forget about performance/winning & losing, just relax. Have fun. Enjoy the sleep. No need to add on more stress especially since it's unnecessary... you will have a lot of stress during the match!

... but I soon unconsciously resorted to my forehand loops. As I have played alot of competitive matches in this recent period of time, I felt my form was quite good, and as such, I was able to put alot of spin on my loops, especially when I serve a short backspin and it returns long.

IMO, your FH loops are good. You have good form and are consistent with them. You have good/quick footwork to get to the ball to FH loop. Your RPB is awesome too, perhaps it's just viewing highlights/winning shots only, but seems you are fixated on your RPB and do not remember that you have a good FH loop

Will search in my videos for any great points.

Coolness! Can't wait to use your new video in my argument to get a 7 pts handicap off of you

Congrats and good luck again!

 

[Boogar]

Great to hear about your progress Jeff!

I had my third team match of the season today. Same as you against a team of old timers They complained about the stomping of the serve, said its against the rules Their behavior kinda ticked me off and I ended up winning all three singles and the double as well.

However I wasn't satisfied with my performance today. Almost all my backhand loops missed the target and I played like a coward... Pushing all over the place I was really cramped and could not loop properly.

And.. worst of all... i forgot to record the matches ! again !

...Maybe I will remember to record my matches this Sunday, as I am playing a tournament then.

 

[Jirrex]

Very nice result Boogar!

I can imagine that people regularly aren't happy with their game, but in the end it's the result that counts (when it comes to league matches). I guess there's also plenty of times that you're satisfied with how you played but despite that still lost. Today I lost with 0-3 once but two games ended in 9-11. Since the opponent plays at least 5 more years than I do, I couldn't really be unsatisfied with it. And at least that match I played to win instead of playing not to lose. That's something that I tend to do often, playing not to lose instead of playing to win. Another day I won with 3-0 once, but wasn't really satisfied with how I played, way too passive.

In what league are you playing?

Goodluck in advance for Sunday's tournament

 

[Boogar]

Very nice result Boogar!

I can imagine that people regularly aren't happy with their game, but in the end it's the result that counts (when it comes to league matches). I guess there's also plenty of times that you're satisfied with how you played but despite that still lost. Today I lost with 0-3 once but two games ended in 9-11. Since the opponent plays at least 5 more years than I do, I couldn't really be unsatisfied with it. And at least that match I played to win instead of playing not to lose. That's something that I tend to do often, playing not to lose instead of playing to win. Another day I won with 3-0 once, but wasn't really satisfied with how I played, way too passive.

In what league are you playing?

Goodluck in advance for Sunday's tournament

I know how you feel. Sometimes a loss makes you feel better than a win, depending on how you played!

I am playing in the 4. League in Switzerland. 1. league being the highest apart from the national leagues.
Last season I played my first season in the 5. and we managed to get promoted

And thank you

 

[Jirrex]

That's really nice, just promoted and now winning all three games. What's your winning percentage overall this season?

I know how you feel. Sometimes a loss makes you feel better than a win, depending on how you played!

I am playing in the 4. League in Switzerland. 1. league being the highest apart from the national leagues.
Last season I played my first season in the 5. and we managed to get promoted

And thank you

 

[JeffM]

Counterlooping and punch blocking or blocking the first loop and stepping back to counterloop are all the next level, JeffM. You need to nail this level down so that you don't lose to a certain level of opponent anymore then you can battle with the next level, who will sometimes not show their true level until you prove you cannot be blocked to.

Seems like you are on your way. Good job.

Thanks NL.

Si-hing,

First and foremost, GOOD LUCK on your finals!

2nd, CONGRATULATIONS! Awesome performance/results!! So happy to read your report!



2 points for your consideration:

1) Thinking of performance and/or winning/losing sometimes produces unnecessary stress about oneself, as witness what happened to you. Easy to say, hard to do.

2) In this specific case, you won all your matches... imagine how much better you would've performed if you had a good night's sleep! My point is, forget about performance/winning & losing, just relax. Have fun. Enjoy the sleep. No need to add on more stress especially since it's unnecessary... you will have a lot of stress during the match!



IMO, your FH loops are good. You have good form and are consistent with them. You have good/quick footwork to get to the ball to FH loop. Your RPB is awesome too, perhaps it's just viewing highlights/winning shots only, but seems you are fixated on your RPB and do not remember that you have a good FH loop



Coolness! Can't wait to use your new video in my argument to get a 7 pts handicap off of you

Congrats and good luck again!

Thanks OSP! Yes I agree with not thinking about the winning and losing beforehand, but I still seem to have trouble controlling my thoughts when I sleep at night. When I'm awake, I generally tell myself not to think about those things, and just try to play my best. I will work on getting that mentality!
Thanks for your compliments about my RPB and loop. I think I did have a tendency to put in more of my RPB points in my videos, as they seem somewhat more flashy than my forehand loops. But in the normal games, I think the loops are more consistent, and even if at times last night, I feel it is starting to be a bit mundane winning most points by the spin, it works, so I continued to do that as the objective last night was to do well for myself and for the team I am substituting for.

Haha, the video this time may not come so soon, I think I will do it after exams, but that time is also close to the end of the year, so maybe it will be a big one for the best points in the whole year of 2016
In the mean time, I will wait for your videos to work on my argument for getting handicap points from you haha.

Great to hear about your progress Jeff!

I had my third team match of the season today. Same as you against a team of old timers They complained about the stomping of the serve, said its against the rules Their behavior kinda ticked me off and I ended up winning all three singles and the double as well.

However I wasn't satisfied with my performance today. Almost all my backhand loops missed the target and I played like a coward... Pushing all over the place I was really cramped and could not loop properly.

And.. worst of all... i forgot to record the matches ! again !

...Maybe I will remember to record my matches this Sunday, as I am playing a tournament then.

Thanks and congrats for the wins Boogar! And good luck for your tournament!
Sometimes the pushing game is what the old timers favour, so I find putting in the loops is sometimes what keep them from feeling too comfortable. Hope you will perform well in the next matches!

 

[OldschoolPenholder]

AWESOME Boogar! Congratulations!!

I had my third team match of the season today. Same as you against a team of old timers They complained about the stomping of the serve, said its against the rules Their behavior kinda ticked me off and I ended up winning all three singles and the double as well.

Sometimes this tactic is a "jedi mind trick"/psychological warfare... opponent getting into your brain... sometimes one gets upset/angry over the complaint and it affects their play... great to hear it didn't affect your play.

My old club, i used to drill in the basement... one night, the basement was full, i went upstairs to wait my turn to play the King of the Table.

I was a member for a few months but rarely played upstairs where 'the good players' played. No one knew me. My turn came up, I played, and the King of the Table says I was hiding my serve. I let it get to me sadly. Lost close games. I sit down and watch him play the next challenger and they both knew each other and guess what, yep! Challenger hid his serve and he didn't say anything.

Some other time, I played someone else upstairs and same thing again, he called me out on my serve, yet when he played others he knew, he didn't say anything.

LOL at me ... i'm so mentally weak at times

CONGRATS again Boogar!

 

[OldschoolPenholder]

Last night

1) I hit with an older gentleman I never saw before. He was sitting at an empty table with someone else. They had no net. I thought they would hit with each other as I offered my net to them. The other gentleman said he was playing elsewhere. The older gentleman seemed reluctant to hit with me. Not sure if he thought i was below his skill or way above his skill. We end up hitting.

Prior, I have been mainly blocking and sometimes punching with the new Nexy Amazon CPen I've been using. Am very sastisfied with the Amazon's responsiveness to my close-to-the-table play. Getting used to MX-P, my first time using it, after having gotten used to DHS H3.

Last night with the older gentleman, we hit FH to FH... he sometimes added topspin to his FH. I FH stroked mostly and sometimes FH block. After hitting for long rallies for a few minutes, we both realized we are close in skill level. He ramped up his FH's. I was hitting at 60% or so, he was at 75% speed/power. I started feeling drained after 45 mins and thanked him for hitting with me. I took a 15 mins break and ate the yam i had with me and drank some water.

With the older gentleman, my FH strokes were nice and steady. Shot trajectories were low and fast... really liking the Amazon/MX-P combo. Finding the grip tape is actually helping me a bit. As I have a loose grip at times, the grip tape helps me retain the blade and i am not afraid of dropping the racket, etc. In Der_Echte we trust

2) "M2" called me over to another table. "Mommy" was hitting with someone else. He told me that she likes hitting with me. There are some that like to hit with me, as I have no ego ... in the TT pet peeves thread, there is one peeve mentioned where the partner during non-gameplay will try to win every point. Sadly, quite a few members are like that. But in my mind, since they are older, they may have played that way since they were younger. I hit to be steady and not kill every point even if my partner does that. Unless I know my partner doesn't mind me amping it up, i won't.

Hit with Mommy for 30 mins. She thanked me and called it a night.

3) Hit with M2 next for 15 mins, he's a 2300 SH, i always have a mental block when i'm hitting with higher level partners as i know i can get all spastic and hit all over at times - i didn't want to waste their time with picking up balls. So we started FH to FH... i was warmed with my my FH's from my first partner of the night and i was hitting my FH ok with M2. Then I got some confidence I started looping to him... erratic at times... not sure if it's his rubber or my stroke or my mental hangups or all of the above, but i seem not to be able to loop on the first ball, i need to hit 2 FH's first and then i can loop.

Once i got a few 33% power/speed loops in, i started upping the power/speed... was a little happy with my loops but still not steady during drilling and even worse during matchplay. Will keep looping to 'get' it. M2, periodically hits with me, thinking he's monitoring my progress. Probably seeing my FH loops were ok, we then hit BH-BH... after a few, he started BH smashing... some i blocked, some i half-punched... the power and speed of some of his BH smashes are tough for me to return as i play close-to-the-table. I get a few back but there will always be one that just gets past me.

The woman blocker i sometimes hit with arrived to the club and kind of bullied her way to hit with M2 lol... i acquiesced, i needed a break anyway. They hit for 15 mins

4) I hit with the woman blocker next. As usual, first i let her do what she wants. I stand on my FH side and BH block/punch back her FH. She alternates with a killshot and a chop. After a few mins, she reciprocated and stood on her FH side and BH block. I start off with FH smashes at 50-75%. Satisfied they are landing, i start looping 50% to 75%. Got some decent loops in and am happy my FH and loops are coming along nicely with the Amazon/MX-P combo. By no means am I a steady looper, but happy i'm starting to 'get' the Amazon/MX-P on my FH and loops.

Called it a night after 3 hrs at the club.

 

[Boogar]

About to watch Ovtcharov while gluing my Nittaku H3 neo