Progress report:
ttmonster felt I should play players who are 'boom boom' instead of my 2 regular games partners who are 65 and 70 yrs old and are slower-paced players but if given the chance to attack they would.
65 yrs old friend: I really should be able to beat convincingly but he is steady and always returning the ball. He is about my level if not 1 level below believe it or not. I am my own worst enemy! Rushing my shots!
70 yrs old friend: is a 2 winged JPen attacker with conservative serves I am able to push or RPB loop. He is overall 1 to 2 levels above me as I see him playing other players above my level and they have long rallies and good attacks. With him, I am able to put the ball mostly away from his comfort attacking zone.
Onto the boom boom players...
Last week it was late, practiced with B. ~1900 SH double-winged attacker, 39 yrs old ... tall and long arms/legs, generally gets to most balls. Before leaving we played one game. Losing 10-8, i forced a deuce. Lost at 11. About 2 years ago, before self-learning RPB, I lost to him easily. The difference this game is partly my RPB, but also partly because I'm not rushing my shots like I used to. Playing my 2 regular games partners has helped me somewhat not to rush my shots.
Playing B though, he is dangerous as he has killer FH/BH loops. He has 2 serves which trick me many times. But overall, my RPB loop and RPB punch has helped me a bit, as well as the return of my FH loop, or more correctly my confidence in my FH loop is coming back due to neglect while training RPB for a year.
Played B. Monday night, lost 3-0, but scores are closer now than 2 years ago, when I lost easily at 4 and 5. Sadly I didn't remember to video our practice as well as match. Good warmup practice and I had 2 highlight worthy points. My left knee is still achy and not 100% but getting better. One serve he served short side-down to my FH and I was able to 'fly' over and loop it cross court for a winner surprising him and the people sitting/watching waiting for next. Another point, I served sidetop and he popped up, I 3rd ball smashed to his FH, he plays mid-distance away from the table and is tall and able to get to the ball and lob it back, I smashed 5th ball to his FH and he lobbed back and I waited to 'quick smash' the 7th ball to his BH - that is I smashed as the ball was ready to bounce up, quickening the tempo/rhythm and able to win the point convincingly. Really wished I video'd that match, but in a way I am glad I didn't because then ttmonster and JeffM may ask me for 9 points instead if they saw those 2 highlights ... LOL at me!
Played him tonight and lost 3-2, close games except for 5th where I lost focus/concentration somewhat early and he jumped to a 6-2 lead and won the decider at 5. I believe tonight's match was the only time I ever won 2 games off of him. Afterwards we chatted and he mentioned I improved a lot. I chalk it up to slowing down at times and not rushing my shots. I thanked him for his kind words. Part of my success is my spinny serves and part of my success was my nospin serves! THANK YOU NEXTLEVEL!
In the past 4-5 months, I have been forcing a 2nd or 3rd ball attack either RPB loop or FH loop. Lost many a point, but it's conditioning myself to get back that attacking mindset and to get my RPB looping going. Also in the past month I have been pushing more to set up a RPB or FH loop instead of forcing it. My pushing is varied, side to side with angled pushes, long, short/float/touch some back. Losing some points as I still don't have the 'touch' down quite yet, and sometimes I push too long but it's getting there. I am getting deeper into the point and am successful with my RPB block/punch/loop and FH loops. To think about 5 or 6 months ago, I had zero confidence in my FH loop ... i was hesitant and lost many a point.
Monday I played a rusty 2000 SH power FH looper. For a big guy, he moves very fast pivoting to 2nd ball FH loop down the line. Even if my left knee wasn't achy, his FH loops are too fast/strong for slow me to get to my FH. He hasn't come in a few months, in the process of selling house/moving. I played him a few times in the past and got smoked easily. Although back then I had no FH loop and my RPB was not consistent enough yet. I actually won the first game but he didn't really warm up. He won next 2 with me getting 6-8 pts. 4th game, lost focus/concentration and he won easily at 5. He wanted to play one more game, it was very late and past the regular time I leave 7:30-8pm. Lost that 5th game at 4. I left at 9pm! Club/recreation center closes at 9:45pm. After our games, he mentioned that I improved a lot. I thanked him for his kind words. Told him it was my honor to play him even if I got home late and my wife yelling at me LOLOL. Part of my success is my spinny serves and part of my success was my nospin serves! THANK YOU NEXTLEVEL YET AGAIN!
Playing my 2 regular games partners, I have been pushing more and being more patient. I am still losing to them, but scores are much more closer.
I can't help but be a bit happy with my progress/improvement. But I think I will jinx myself now after writing that and play like a 1300 again LOLOLOL
Thank you my Friends if you read all that!
Very truly yours in TT,
~osph