What is the meaning of CONTROL in a game?

[IB66]

Lots of contributions here using control to mean reducing risk to be more consistent.
I have also heard it used in a way that has meaning something like 'applying pressure' and also with a meaning like 'unbalancing your opponent', like controlling your opponent through strategic placement of shots. That is more than just waiting for your opponent to make a mistake. Control taken too far is passivity in that sense.

Another aspect of the initial post... @Kopp you received advice to be more conservative with your backhand.
When I started playing golf I hit a lot of tee shots out of bounds. Numerous people told me "don't try and hit it so hard". One person said ignore that advice and work on hitting it straighter.
Will let coaches here give their opinions on that in respect of tt. Will just say don't entirely put aside what type of player you want to be and what gives you enjoyment.

With golf, you watch player try and smash the ball AS HARD as they can, but their swing is not controlled.(as controlled)
Pro's smash the ball hard but their swing is controlled, when you watch a Pro it looks effortless, this is because they have got the mechanics of their swing under control and the power is produced without looking like they are trying to hit the ball hard. If a Pro was to smash the ball AS HARD as they could - like a long drive competitor, they would be less consistent and you would be able to see they were trying to hit the ball harder.
So a Pro Golfer is playing within his limits most of the time, lets say 80% of their max power. this also applies to Pro TT players. they generally play within their limits. When pushed hard, and they have to move faster, or produce more power, or spin, then mistakes creep in. that's why a small difference in ability or having a lower 'LIMIT' or being able to adapt to playing above or under your 'usual' LIMITS (lets say 'controlling' your 'LIMITS') equates to what can be a large difference in points won or lost.
This can be seem when a golfer is 'between' clubs, this is when mistakes are a little more likely to be made, they try and put more into a 8 iron , or take a bit off a 7 iron, so their 'USUAL' swing at 80% becomes either 85% or 75% which they are less use to doing, sure they practice, but not as much as they practice their 'USUAL' swing.
To add or take off that 5% means that they will have a different 'FEEL' for that particular shot, be it a 3/4 backswing, full Backswing with less use of the legs, or less of a hip turn etc etc there are a number of choices available to them, and muscle memory can kick in as well, your brain says do this but sub consciously your body does what is use to!!!

Amateurs usually have less of everything!!!, less ability, poor game sense,, more inconsistency, poor shot selection, worse reflexes, less fitness, less speed of movement, less ability to be able to read the situation, ETC ETC the list goes on!!
I suffer with wanting to put away even a slightly loose ball, too quickly, with too much pace and power, I also play too many shots that are riskier, not from using too much power, but from difficult angles, overall poor shot selection, I overestimate my ability!! I'm told to play with more 'control' Stop pushing my 'LIMITS' (in matches)

When practicing, you should try and push your 'LIMITS' for some of the practice session. This can be by being more consistent - hitting 100 topspin drives in a row, when you normally manage 50 when playing at 80% of your power, hitting 50 in a row when playing at 90% of your power when you usually manage 25.
In matches sometimes you have to push your LIMITS or 'raise' your game, this doesn't necessarily mean play harder faster.
For our warm up (usually myself and another coach arrive early, get set up, and sneak a 15 min warm up) We play controlled top spins close(ish) to the table, BH or FH anywhere on the table, we don't go FH to FH, BH to BH, we don't play hard and fast, just controlled, placement of our shots, aiming for angles, to the opponents middle, playing where they don't want to play the ball (IRREGULAR PLAY). our LIMITS are slowly improving, playing slightly faster rallies with slightly more consistency.

As you improve, your 'LIMITS' rise, you end up playing a 'Controlled' game when once it was Uncontrolled!!
AND you will still be told to play more controlled!!!

 

[LilyKroger]

Hey, I need some help understanding control in a game.

When people talk about a "control" style, does it just mean playing passively with lots of blocking and placing? Doesn't that give the opponent all the initiative to attack?

So, how do you actually win playing a control style? What kind of equipment would suit a control player best? Are blades with carbon OK or just allwoods?

And what about rubbers? Are tensors a bad idea? Tacky or non-tacky?

Is control style more suited to beginners, kids, or maybe even older players? Or can anyone play like that at a high level?

Who are top players playing with this style? Is the style still applicable in the modern TT?

Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Edit: Since I've misunderstood "control" to the playing style, please ignore the "style" (striked) and focus to the "control stroke" instead. When it comes to control in a game like this table tennis stuff its all about keeping your shots on point but honestly the same goes for casino gambling where control means managing your bets so you dont blow your money on slots or blackjack man imagine nailing that roulette spin or poker hand to hit the jackpot its crazy how the thrill ties in with real game control you know i was checking out ways to practice without risk and found this gem that lets you dive into online betting for free check out https://casinonlinenieuwe.com/online-gokken-zonder-storting/ and grab free spins plus bonus cash at legit new spots its perfect for sharpening your skills in every gambling game from poker to roulette without losing a penny dude this is the spot if you love the money action and want that edge

For me “control” in table tennis is basically how easy it is to put the ball where you want with the speed and spin you choose. If you can place the ball consistently and keep rallies stable, that’s control. It’s not really a single measurable thing, more like the combination of placement, consistency, and confidence in your strokes.

 

[merlin el mago]

No do it unforced errors, that's I understand as control.

 

[Matteones]

I haven't read all the answers, but here is what (or rather whom) I think about when I hear the ball "control" related to table tennis:

Alternatively I also think about this other amazing control:

There are no players like them in the current generation, which is a pity, they were spectacular and to me, they are the personification of the meaning of control.

 

[Colestt]

I notice some tennis players use control to mean spin, as to them some topspin makes the shot safer.

 

[zeio]

Hey, I need some help understanding control in a game.

When people talk about a "control" style, does it just mean playing passively with lots of blocking and placing? Doesn't that give the opponent all the initiative to attack?

So, how do you actually win playing a control style? What kind of equipment would suit a control player best? Are blades with carbon OK or just allwoods?

And what about rubbers? Are tensors a bad idea? Tacky or non-tacky?

Is control style more suited to beginners, kids, or maybe even older players? Or can anyone play like that at a high level?

Who are top players playing with this style? Is the style still applicable in the modern TT?

Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Edit: Since I've misunderstood "control" to the playing style, please ignore the "style" (striked) and focus to the "control stroke" instead.

Yes, a lot of blocking and placing but active rather than passive. The core idea of a control game is all about preventing the opponent from initiating a strong attack by "manipulating" the point to your advantage.

 

[ChientoLi]

I think control means making ur opponent uncomfortable

 

[maxtor]

Control - you are playing "your game", not opponents. Doesn't matter you block, counter or chop

 

[Der_Echte]

I define control in Table tennis as the degree of how easy it is to do something...

This can be interpolated to higher percentage (over some other alternative approach)

Another way to express control is the degree that one is able to do what one wants to do to the ball and land it (with easy and high percentage)

We can take this a bit further and say such and such ease/percentage with "enough" quality.
I have always express to anyone listening that table tennis is about consistency and placement with" enough" quality and that wins.

I often say that "Spin WINS" and some other catchy slogans.

Ultimately, it is about getting it done without missing.

I have often expressed that the number one skill is discerning the opponent's impact and within the 30 cm of ball coming to you, that you KNEW what just happened, where, how the ball is going when it makes it to your endline in 3D time and space (type/amount/axis of spin, speed, arrival point/time, vector of ball)... that you immediate decide what to do to this ball... THIS is skill #1 in TT.

Number 2 skill in TT is getting to effective position on time with leverage ready to strike at impact point/time

Number 3 skill is the actual technical stroke and recovery/readiness for next ball

All this works together for control and happens on EVERY POINT.

All this happens from knowledge and training and happens in the subconscious space of mind.

I also frequently say the non-attacking shots determine WHO gets the advantage or outright wins points in each point. Control is an obvious point, but also figuring out what happened and what to do about it (let's say you decided to NOT attack) counts a LOT as well. That early action and early touch of ball is actually OFFENSIVE non-attacking shot for sure.

The one who can "control" the non-attacking shots (serve receive, short return of return, fast push, variation, suddenness, camouflage/deceptive movement) often is the one who bosses the point and gets free gifts and gives away few to none.

Just look at vids of players at any level and this stuff goes on literally EVERY point.