Daily Table Tennis Chit Chat

[JeffM]

Chiquita is one of my main weapons personally and I also had this issue before. The key is to do no arm backswing as you approach the ball and get into position. Rather, you move into the table such a way so that your shoulders faces the left and then twist your upper body to get into the backswing position, with minimal arm movement.

For me the biggest key is not to move your arm too early. It's all about using footwork to reach the ideal position with your body first before the arm does anything. This way there's no chance of the bat hitting the table because you step in with the bat above the table in the neutral ready position. If you arm backswing early before you step in, it's easy for the bat to hit the table especially if you backswing low like a traditional BH loop structure.
Furthermore, if you don't do arm backswing early you can even transition to a fuller swing loop if you notice that the ball is going to drift long. But if you arm backswing early you're "locked" into the stroke and can't adjust with further visual information of the ball trajectory.

The other thing I learnt is to step on the right foot exactly when you contact the ball - timing this well can allow you to produce a lot of extra power from the legs. This actually applies to almost all short receives.

Thanks for that detailed post.
I will try that more next Tuesday.

I can understand stepping in just when you are about to do a short push, but I don't get how you can step in just when you are about to banana their serve if you want to get in position quick? I would have thought you want to have stepped in already then in position to do the banana. Or do you mean as you do banana, you push onto the right foot that is already there to back off after?

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

I can't chiquita even if my life depends on it.

I'm ol'skool, I'll cut / push / block.

Usually people learn to BH loop backspin with decent accuracy before they can do an over-the-table BH loop (Chiquita).

There is a reason NL wanted to see that skill. If you work on it and get it solid, your skills will jump a lot higher and it will help improve your return of serve and short game.

 

[NextLevel]

Usually people learn to BH loop backspin with decent accuracy before they can do an over-the-table BH loop (Chiquita).

There is a reason NL wanted to see that skill. If you work on it and get it solid, your skills will jump a lot higher and it will help improve your return of serve and short game.

Chiquita with a one ply or a Sardius or even a Primorac Carbon (which Timo and Groth are probably doing) is an interesting concept. Wouldn't be surprised if the blade just makes it much harder. Interesting how that can happen sometimes....

 

[blahness]

Thanks for that detailed post.
I will try that more next Tuesday.

I can understand stepping in just when you are about to do a short push, but I don't get how you can step in just when you are about to banana their serve if you want to get in position quick? I would have thought you want to have stepped in already then in position to do the banana. Or do you mean as you do banana, you push onto the right foot that is already there to back off after?

yes you're right - you step into position first, then push off the right foot that is already there when you contact the ball. It's a two step process.

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

Chiquita with a one ply or a Sardius or even a Primorac Carbon (which Timo and Groth are probably doing) is an interesting concept. Wouldn't be surprised if the blade just makes it much harder. Interesting how that can happen sometimes....

I actually just don't know how you would hold a 10.5mm blade for the shot if you were even trying. But....if you can't loop, there is little chance you could loop a ball over the table where you can't drop the racket below the height of the table.

But hey, if holding a racket that has a 10.5mm thick blade is what makes someone happy, who cares if he can't actually hold it.

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

Big & Heavy makes me happy

Puny little tooth-pick makes me sad.

 

[NextLevel]

Gozo, SMASH!

View attachment 25101
Big & Heavy makes me happy

View attachment 25102
Puny little tooth-pick makes me sad.

GOZO, SMASH!

The Incredible Gozo... planet Gozo must be be a cool place.

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

I liek'em heavieeeee...

 

[NextLevel]

View attachment 25104
I liek'em heavieeeee...

I had an innerforce T5000 that was 100g and with my current rubbers, I think the weight was around 220. I stopped using that blade and went to lighter stuff (I like my blades between 80g and 90g) and the setup between 190 and 205g and I think it helped me play much better. Heavier (and faster blades) are good for blocking, but they make wrist acceleration a bit more difficult and that has a negative impact on easy spin and over the table strokes. However, you do block and hit a lot (and relative to my level, I do as well), so I can see why this blade works for you.

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

I had an innerforce T5000 that was 100g and with my current rubbers, I think the weight was around 220. I stopped using that blade and went to lighter stuff (I like my blades between 80g and 90g) and the setup between 190 and 205g and I think it helped me play much better. Heavier (and faster blades) are good for blocking, but they make wrist acceleration a bit more difficult and that has a negative impact on easy spin and over the table strokes. However, you do block and hit a lot (and relative to my level, I do as well), so I can see why this blade works for you.

Yes yess yesss!

I do block a lot don't I. You really do know equipment. Solid set-up like this really gives very good stable block. No vibration & rock solid feeling. Block like this

👇🏼

I do hit a lot too but this is one thing I want to change from hitting to more driving, meaning adding more rotation to it. This is on my work-in-progress list.

BH open-up is also something I am concentrating on. It is coming! It is coming!

p/s I'm ol'skool. I ain't do no chiquita nor strawberries nor other tutti-fruiti stuff.

 

[NextLevel]

Yes yess yesss!

I do block a lot don't I. You really do know equipment. Solid set-up like this really gives very good stable block. No vibration & rock solid feeling. Block like this

👇🏼

View attachment 25105

I do hit a lot too but this is one thing I want to change from hitting to more driving, meaning adding more rotation to it. This is on my work-in-progress list.

BH open-up is also something I am concentrating on. It is coming! It is coming!

p/s I'm ol'skool. I ain't do no chiquita nor strawberries nor other tutti-fruiti stuff.

Trust me, I have played with thicker and arguably faster stuff (anyone remember the Giant Dragon SuperBalsa)?

Sometimes, experience is the best teacher. The problems you have to solve to get better make you try and learn things. I actually played with oversized head defensive blades with the old ball for a while because I didn't have confidence controlling the old ball with fast equipment. This new ball makes a lot of things far easier to use.

 

[blahness]

Any tips on how to read well disguised reverse pendulum serves to the FH?

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

Any tips on how to read well disguised reverse pendulum serves to the FH?

Treat it as a BH serve to your FH. The ball will fly towards the left so you have to aim to the right.

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

Trust me, I have played with thicker and arguably faster stuff (anyone remember the Giant Dragon SuperBalsa)?

Sometimes, experience is the best teacher. The problems you have to solve to get better make you try and learn things. I actually played with oversized head defensive blades with the old ball for a while because I didn't have confidence controlling the old ball with fast equipment. This new ball makes a lot of things far easier to use.

There are blade that is thicker than 10.5mm? Wow! Now who is Grandpa Orge. 🤣

I believe this 40++ ball makes these heavy blade feasible to use. If it is still 38mm era, 9mm would have been the limit already.

 

[NextLevel]

There are blade that is thicker than 10.5mm? Wow! Now who is Grandpa Orge. 🤣

I believe this 40++ ball makes these heavy blade feasible to use. If it is still 38mm era, 9mm would have been the limit already.

the blade itself was actually light and I never tried it with the more modern rubbers.

Giant Dragon SuperBalsa II (2)

Giant Dragon SuperBalsa II (2) table tennis blade reviews and ratings on Revspin.net.

revspin.net

 

[NextLevel]

Any tips on how to read well disguised reverse pendulum serves to the FH?

Get your camera and record the serve. It is always easier to pick up things when you don't have to win the point.

 

[blahness]

Treat it as a BH serve to your FH. The ball will fly towards the left so you have to aim to the right.

It's not about receiving them, but about reading the spin and placement. I mainly want to read whether it's sidetopspin or sideunderspin.

It's really a nightmare once ppl learn how to serve both spins with nearly the same racket angle and movement...

BH serves are usually way easier to read imo.

 

[hclnnkhg]

After 3 weeks of training (15~20 hours), I can finally say I have adapted to my new setup and back to normal level. Going from inner-fibre + tacky rubber to outer-fiber + tensor is not a small jump. I have to adjust my techniques, be quicker on my feet, but I feel this is good because it is pushing me to become better. I feel like there is still some potential to be unlocked with my new setup. Lessons learnt:
1. Sometimes it is good to go outside of your comfort zone on equipments
2. Don't judge too early on new equipment

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

After 3 weeks of training (15~20 hours), I can finally say I have adapted to my new setup and back to normal level. Going from inner-fibre + tacky rubber to outer-fiber + tensor is not a small jump. I have to adjust my techniques, be quicker on my feet, but I feel this is good because it is pushing me to become better. I feel like there is still some potential to be unlocked with my new setup. Lessons learnt:
1. Sometimes it is good to go outside of your comfort zone on equipments
2. Don't judge too early on new equipment

One of my veteran player said to me, it may take up to six months to adapt to new equipment. I have been using mine for up to 1.5 years now without changing.

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

It's not about receiving them, but about reading the spin and placement. I mainly want to read whether it's sidetopspin or sideunderspin.

It's really a nightmare once ppl learn how to serve both spins with nearly the same racket angle and movement...

BH serves are usually way easier to read imo.

Yeah, you just have to give them credits for being a good server. It is a nightmare trying to read whether is a topspin or underspin when the hand movements are the same.