Daily Table Tennis Chit Chat

[NextLevel]

Dear Mister NL, sir!
Some assistance required:
1. What is sitting ball? Sorry, I am not familiar with the term.
==========================

2. This kid is about the same level as I am, maybe just a wee bit lower than me, perhaps 50 - 100 pts gap?
3. I had just beaten him a week ago, 3-2 and previous to that; 4-1.
4. I was not in the mental zone so to speak. This is a internal friendly and I was more in the friendly mode. Too much laughing and horsing around amongst the crowd I guess.

==========================

5. With regards to the backhand, I have this problem, when my mind is too focused on using the FH as my main weapon, it tend to forget how to do backhand and vice-versa. It is like I have difficulty getting my mind to switch around and if I do that I get worse, my mind will be distracted with split second indecision. So, if I focus on BH, my FH will suffer, needless to say. Not sure if this is a peculiar problem to me or is this a common noobie problem. This means, I can only focus on side at a time.
6. Now, onwards to something in my chest I want to get off and is related to point Nos. 5.
7. Since I tend to be only a one side looper, I want to make my FH the main weapon and my BH will mainly be of a supporting role. That is why I look up to like Aruna / Ma Long and et al as my idol.
8. I know very well that I do not need to win in TT to put food on my table, so my main motivation is to hit big powerful shot, get it on video and enjoy it later. What better than having those big power-loop from the FH? Better yet, FH powerloop from pivot at the BH position. You see where I coming from and where lies my main motivation.

========================

OK, now onward to something that is at the back of my mind, that is, what do you guys think? Putting all my points into consideration, should I:

a) continue to use easy to use offensive rubber like Vega Europe and play controlled looping

or

b) Buy myself the ultimate FH rubber, that is Tenergy 05 Hard in my opinion and learn how to use it by hook or crook or die trying? I know I will lose many many matches and I should adopt a mental attitude: So What! I want those beautiful FH shots and other things does not matter.

Please help, fellow TT enthusiast.

I would need a video where you play controlled looping to be able to answer the question. The truth is that the way you imagine your play gives yourself a lot of credit. And that is okay, the most important think in TT is to enjoy your play, not to care about how others think of it unless they help you improve.

You currently smash/hit and don't play with significant spin. While you can play with spin in practice shots, and sometimes open against backspin, you are still not close to the point where I would describe your game as "controlled looping". You still need to get to a point where you are spinning the ball short and not missing so many opening topspin shots. If you are not there, the equipment doesn't matter. Use whatever you want. When you are, the equipment only matters to the extent it enables you to play how you want to play. And here, it is lot of subtle things that might not really affect how you play in total but which may affects your strengths and weaknesses in subtle ways. At least that is my opinion, as I can play we with just about anything I pick up but have to make subtle adjustments of the blade is the same blade.

 

[Ghostzen]

As mentioned before, I will post a video of my latest game when it is available.

Yes, you all may critic. I lost 1-2 to this high school kid.

Some good and some not so good to be honest.
When the ball is in the hitting zone you make some nice smash strokes on your FH.
When the ball isn't in that sweet zone area there quite a bit of almost falling sideways and backwards a bit.
This makes it pretty hard for you deply those real power strokes reliably as all your power isn't going in to the ball but falling away from it.
Maybe you need a "link" stroke sometimes to get that ball up?. A softer heavier topspin to get a block which will pop up? Also breaks up the pace/spin a bit.
The BH was tricky for you in this match. It looked like you were't sure where the ball was going alot. playing the stroke sometimes as a bit of a guess without 100% being sure. This as you mentioned is because of hunting that big FH focus alot. When you got the BH control in you did well.
That randomness of a match is very different than training...
There are ways of looking at the other player and getting clues of where roughly the ball is going.
I think there are some videos out there explaining a few ideas...

This is a good building video for you Gozo...loads of things to work on to come back stronger. Keep the videos coming!. Cheers.

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

Some good and some not so good to be honest.
When the ball is in the hitting zone you make some nice smash strokes on your FH.
When the ball isn't in that sweet zone area there quite a bit of almost falling sideways and backwards a bit.
This makes it pretty hard for you deply those real power strokes reliably as all your power isn't going in to the ball but falling away from it.
Maybe you need a "link" stroke sometimes to get that ball up?. A softer heavier topspin to get a block which will pop up? Also breaks up the pace/spin a bit.
The BH was tricky for you in this match. It looked like you were't sure where the ball was going alot. playing the stroke sometimes as a bit of a guess without 100% being sure. This as you mentioned is because of hunting that big FH focus alot. When you got the BH control in you did well.
That randomness of a match is very different than training...
There are ways of looking at the other player and getting clues of where roughly the ball is going.
I think there are some videos out there explaining a few ideas...

This is a good building video for you Gozo...loads of things to work on to come back stronger. Keep the videos coming!. Cheers.

Thank Ghost man.

• As my clubmates used to tell me, Gozo, if your stroke is 100% on the table, you will be playing in the provincial squad by now. I totally agree with him.
• I also agree that by playing only like twice a week, two hours each session, I have to be realistic with my expectation.
• I like the link up theory you propose, aye, I think I can do that. Or at least I will be more mindful on that.
• You know the funny thing about Gozo? I am trying my best to impart spin on my stroke, I am, really. I can do it in drills and such. I really can.
• However, I am just amazed at myself when in match play ( in a randomness scenario ) I return to my base self, that is, return to my default smash / flat hit stroke.
• On the part of my BH, I am planning to complete disregard it in lieu of FH. I find that my brain just cannot be malleable enough to handle two wing offensive. It gets jammed up. I most likely will put a classic non-tensor rubber on BH just to defend and let the fh side do all the killing.
• If I concentrate on BH, my FH will suffer and vice-versa.
• No, pips and anti on BH and it is out of the question as it is just too much work to learn a completely different rubber. Besides, I just don't like those things, call it personal preference.

 

[Ghostzen]

Thank Ghost man.

• As my clubmates used to tell me, Gozo, if your stroke is 100% on the table, you will be playing in the provincial squad by now. I totally agree with him.
• I also agree that by playing only like twice a week, two hours each session, I have to be realistic with my expectation.
• I like the link up theory you propose, aye, I think I can do that. Or at least I will be more mindful on that.
• You know the funny thing about Gozo? I am trying my best to impart spin on my stroke, I am, really. I can do it in drills and such. I really can.
• However, I am just amazed at myself when in match play ( in a randomness scenario ) I return to my base self, that is, return to my default smash / flat hit stroke.
• On the part of my BH, I am planning to complete disregard it in lieu of FH. I find that my brain just cannot be malleable enough to handle two wing offensive. It gets jammed up. I most likely will put a classic non-tensor rubber on BH just to defend and let the fh side do all the killing.
• If I concentrate on BH, my FH will suffer and vice-versa.
• No, pips and anti on BH and it is out of the question as it is just too much work to learn a completely different rubber. Besides, I just don't like those things, call it personal preference.

Backhand safety stroke and slower rubber makes sense. An " on the table backhand" is better to set up the forehand. Doesn't need to be pretty but function.

If you can "link" up even a little slower spin ball it's a jackpot to get that big smash setup option

• in a randomness scenario

If you get chance to watch a few videos about this kind of thing and how to help.

There's no magic help on this but an understanding of where the ball could go and also where to recover might help you make another ball. Recovery triangles is key if you can find some videos on this and also dealing with randomness.
I think Tom Lodziak and the guys from yourttcoach on youtube had some which might be a starter 👍

Play strong 💪

Cheers

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

Backhand safety stroke and slower rubber makes sense. An " on the table backhand" is better to set up the forehand. Doesn't need to be pretty but function.

If you can "link" up even a little slower spin ball it's a jackpot to get that big smash setup option Play strong 💪

Cheers

There are two categories of player I faced when I do deploy the link up technique you mention.

1. Against lower skill player, I have no issue, they cannot handle the spin and they will block and the ball kick out of the table, and I get an easy point. These players are not an issue for me.
2. Against some higher skill player, they know how to counter these slow and spinny ball, some will counter-drive to the far side out of reach for me. Some are very good at blocking at steep angles. These are the type of players where the link-up does not work.
3. This has brought me to seek new strategies, and that is why I am exploring the power-looping option. To be specific, continuous power-looping with FH until I get the point.
4. Which brought me to my current conundrum, learn to power-loop or die trying. Or stay within my current zone and play a more stable game.
5. My heart or my preference is leaning towards strategy 3.

 

[NextLevel]

There are two categories of player I faced when I do deploy the link up technique you mention.

1. Against lower skill player, I have no issue, they cannot handle the spin and they will block and the ball kick out of the table, and I get an easy point. These players are not an issue for me.
2. Against some higher skill player, they know how to counter these slow and spinny ball, some will counter-drive to the far side out of reach for me. Some are very good at blocking at steep angles. These are the type of players where the link-up does not work.
3. This has brought me to seek new strategies, and that is why I am exploring the power-looping option. To be specific, continuous power-looping with FH until I get the point.
4. Which brought me to my current conundrum, learn to power-loop or die trying. Or stay within my current zone and play a more stable game.
5. My heart or my preference is leaning towards strategy 3.

If you don't like to move at all, it is impossible to play table tennis.

If you don't like to move a lot, the main idea is to keep the ball on the backhand diagonal and to play good topspins. When people cannot stand the pressure, they tend to look for a moment to put the ball on the forehand and that is when you can bring in the smash. All you need to do is topspin the backapin ball reliably once. That tends to make the block come a little higher even if on the table and then you can smash.

While the fact that your smash is hard is attractive, the truth is that the smash will come back once people realize it is going to one spot and they can prepare for it. You need to be able to play the smash and remain in balance as well as improve the shot election so that you don't miss it. If you really believe that it will never come back, continue to hit it that way. A lot comes down to.how good you think you want to get.

 

[banbekas]

There are two categories of player I faced when I do deploy the link up technique you mention.

1. Against lower skill player, I have no issue, they cannot handle the spin and they will block and the ball kick out of the table, and I get an easy point. These players are not an issue for me.
2. Against some higher skill player, they know how to counter these slow and spinny ball, some will counter-drive to the far side out of reach for me. Some are very good at blocking at steep angles. These are the type of players where the link-up does not work.
3. This has brought me to seek new strategies, and that is why I am exploring the power-looping option. To be specific, continuous power-looping with FH until I get the point.
4. Which brought me to my current conundrum, learn to power-loop or die trying. Or stay within my current zone and play a more stable game.
5. My heart or my preference is leaning towards strategy 3.

A quick fix from me if you want to powerloop any strays that come to your forehand is to put your hand lower than the table when you want to powerloop it. Keep slapping the ball like you have been doing, but this time you will add a small amount of brush because you attack from below and your way out is to lift it ever so slightly. The nicest thing about this is you don't really need to change the angle of your blade, just slap and brush the ball ever so slightly. Whatever it's called, all that matters is it's fast and furious. It's not ideal, but we have to make do with what we have, don't we?

Honestly, some of your slaps were good when you wait for the ball to get a little bit lower, and you brought your hand from the bottom. Try it and hopefully, it will work out well for you. This is the same advice I gave to one of my friends who plays just like you.

 

[Tyce]

A quick fix from me if you want to powerloop any strays that come to your forehand is to put your hand lower than the table when you want to powerloop it. Keep slapping the ball like you have been doing, but this time you will add a small amount of brush because you attack from below and your way out is to lift it ever so slightly. The nicest thing about this is you don't really need to change the angle of your blade, just slap and brush the ball ever so slightly. Whatever it's called, all that matters is it's fast and furious. It's not ideal, but we have to make do with what we have, don't we?

Honestly, some of your slaps were good when you wait the ball down a little bit, and you brought your hand from the bottom. Try it and hopefully, it will work out well for you. This is the same advice I gave to one of my friends who plays just like you.

This is exactly how I deal with a very offensive setup which is too fast for me to do anything other than attack. Sort of "from the hip" slap-looping, which always feels like it's magic how they manage to get onto the table.

 

[banbekas]

This is exactly how I deal with a very offensive setup which is too fast for me to do anything other than attack. Sort of "from the hip" slap-looping, which always feels like it's magic how they manage to get onto the table.

At the end of the day, imho, powerlooping is just slapping the ball really hard and the spin is only there for the safety and additional speed. Hard rubbers give better result, even better, hard chinese tacky rubbers are the best for this sort of stroke. You must brush and slap the ball otherwise it will be slow af, unstable, and easy to return.

 

[NextLevel]

A quick fix from me if you want to powerloop any strays that come to your forehand is to put your hand lower than the table when you want to powerloop it. Keep slapping the ball like you have been doing, but this time you will add a small amount of brush because you attack from below and your way out is to lift it ever so slightly. The nicest thing about this is you don't really need to change the angle of your blade, just slap and brush the ball ever so slightly. Whatever it's called, all that matters is it's fast and furious. It's not ideal, but we have to make do with what we have, don't we?

Honestly, some of your slaps were good when you wait for the ball to get a little bit lower, and you brought your hand from the bottom. Try it and hopefully, it will work out well for you. This is the same advice I gave to one of my friends who plays just like you.

I have reasons to believe this will not work for Gozo but if it does, I will learn something new.

 

[banbekas]

I have reasona to believe this will not work for Gozo but if it does, I will learn something new.

It worked once, so it will work twice, thrice, and more. LOL

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

5.9K views · 527 reactions | Cool daddy 😳😳💕✨💕 👉 Follow us:- @pingponglovepage for more videos 🎥 Source: bongbanjapan on TikTok (𝘞𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘍𝘢𝘯𝘴, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘰 𝘖𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴! 𝘐𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘳𝘦

Cool daddy 😳😳💕✨💕 👉 Follow us:- @pingponglovepage for more videos 🎥 Source: bongbanjapan on TikTok (𝘞𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘍𝘢𝘯𝘴, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘰 𝘖𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴! 𝘐𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴 𝘢...

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Maybe Gozo should try to play more like this guy

 

[Lazer]

5.9K views · 527 reactions | Cool daddy 😳😳💕✨💕 👉 Follow us:- @pingponglovepage for more videos 🎥 Source: bongbanjapan on TikTok (𝘞𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘍𝘢𝘯𝘴, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘰 𝘖𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴! 𝘐𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘳𝘦

Cool daddy 😳😳💕✨💕 👉 Follow us:- @pingponglovepage for more videos 🎥 Source: bongbanjapan on TikTok (𝘞𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘍𝘢𝘯𝘴, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘰 𝘖𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴! 𝘐𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴 𝘢...

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Maybe Gozo should try to play more like this guy

That’s a cat playing with the mouse before digging in 😱

Cheers
L-zr

 

[NextLevel]

5.9K views · 527 reactions | Cool daddy 😳😳💕✨💕 👉 Follow us:- @pingponglovepage for more videos 🎥 Source: bongbanjapan on TikTok (𝘞𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘍𝘢𝘯𝘴, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘰 𝘖𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴! 𝘐𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘳𝘦

Cool daddy 😳😳💕✨💕 👉 Follow us:- @pingponglovepage for more videos 🎥 Source: bongbanjapan on TikTok (𝘞𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘍𝘢𝘯𝘴, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘰 𝘖𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴! 𝘐𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴 𝘢...

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Maybe Gozo should try to play more like this guy

It is easier to enjoy piano playing than to play the piano. That said, some of the ideas in that video are what I am recommending to Gozo but not everyone likes to play with such ideas, they all think they are Ma Long...not realizing that Ma Long uses such ideas more than most...

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

5.9K views · 527 reactions | Cool daddy 😳😳💕✨💕 👉 Follow us:- @pingponglovepage for more videos 🎥 Source: bongbanjapan on TikTok (𝘞𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘍𝘢𝘯𝘴, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘰 𝘖𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴! 𝘐𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘳𝘦

Cool daddy 😳😳💕✨💕 👉 Follow us:- @pingponglovepage for more videos 🎥 Source: bongbanjapan on TikTok (𝘞𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘍𝘢𝘯𝘴, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘰 𝘖𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴! 𝘐𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴 𝘢...

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Maybe Gozo should try to play more like this guy

Give me one month on my new setup and playstyle... 2025 new Gozo, hopefully. No more video from me until then.

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

A quick fix from me if you want to powerloop any strays that come to your forehand is to put your hand lower than the table when you want to powerloop it. Keep slapping the ball like you have been doing, but this time you will add a small amount of brush because you attack from below and your way out is to lift it ever so slightly. The nicest thing about this is you don't really need to change the angle of your blade, just slap and brush the ball ever so slightly. Whatever it's called, all that matters is it's fast and furious. It's not ideal, but we have to make do with what we have, don't we?

Honestly, some of your slaps were good when you wait for the ball to get a little bit lower, and you brought your hand from the bottom. Try it and hopefully, it will work out well for you. This is the same advice I gave to one of my friends who plays just like you.

Is this what you mean?

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

If you don't like to move at all, it is impossible to play table tennis.

If you don't like to move a lot, the main idea is to keep the ball on the backhand diagonal and to play good topspins. When people cannot stand the pressure, they tend to look for a moment to put the ball on the forehand and that is when you can bring in the smash. All you need to do is topspin the backapin ball reliably once. That tends to make the block come a little higher even if on the table and then you can smash.

While the fact that your smash is hard is attractive, the truth is that the smash will come back once people realize it is going to one spot and they can prepare for it. You need to be able to play the smash and remain in balance as well as improve the shot election so that you don't miss it. If you really believe that it will never come back, continue to hit it that way. A lot comes down to.how good you think you want to get.

Thanks NL,

• Move those ferking legs - checked.
• BH diagonal with good topspin - checked
• BH come back, pivot then FH Gozo Smash(tm) , oops, I mean loop drive ftw! - checked
• FH loop drive to multiple spots - checked / work-in-progress
• Be ever so vigilant to expect second, third, fourth and so on ball to come back and I will just FH loop drive all day long.

NL, these points that you gave me isn't so different; in fact it is the same advise my current coach gave me based on my playstyle. It is work in progress. I will have me those beautiful FH power loop drives or die trying. See you all in a month or two.

Gozo back to the table and signing off. Adios amigos!

 

[banbekas]

View attachment 33913
Is this what you mean?

Can't play the video, idk why.

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

Can't play the video, idk why.

try again...

 

[banbekas]

try again...

You timed your shot, waiting for the ball to drop slightly before striking it. This slight delay allowed you to execute a slap with minimal brushing contact. The minimal brushing happened naturally because of the small upward motion in your stroke, which provided just enough lift to keep the loop controlled and powerful.