I like reading about these discussions, because often others can see what I cannot see in myself.
I agree with the shorter stroke. I was really tense in the multi-ball, and the coach kept telling me to give it my best shot. Since I was lagging behind, I made the mistake of thinking a bigger swing will give me a better shot rather than doing a shorter but faster 'whip' like shot with the use of my hip and knees etc. I don't think I am doing big swings in normal rallies unless I have plenty of time for hitting a smash for a high ball or something. But then I may be wrong because I don't often record myself in normal rallies apart from playing matches.
Speaking of matches, I have an unedited match here which I lost. I beat him last year, but in this match, I feel I am on the inferior end.
I will really appreciate any comments, esp what I did well, what I didn't do well, what I should do against this style of player. Thanks.
Hello JM:
apologies for not being able to watch your video undistracted. I have old man memory so I wanted to post some thoughts before I don't remember for when I do get a chance to watch your vid uninterrupted
Briefly, I'm a dinosaur, traditional chinese penholder playing smooth although I may be more of a pips player as I started as pips, so I smash more than loop
FWIW, some thoughts:
1) agree with Der in foot placement ... left foot forward for righty facilitates fh shots, right foot forward facilitates bh shots for righties ... have an idea which is stronger for you, your bh or fh and stand accordingly
Most ph have better fh
2) You had many unforced errors
Kind of close games and then the unforced errors edges the game to your opponent's favor
3) you served fh pendulum almost all the time in first 2 games, 3rd game you served reverse fh pendulum and lost 2 points, then you also mixed in bh serves
IMO the first game, you probe for weaknees and should mix up your serves, you should've tried these 2 serves in 1st game instead of the 3rd game
4) related to above comment, you are down 2 games and you tried new tactics. .. perhaps you should've tried the higher percentage shots and serves ... there were at least 2 memorable points you had ... fh pendulum serve then 3rd ball attack for winners ... imo you should've went to that a little more
5) again I'm a dinosaur, I play close to table, modern ph is a mystery to me, your smashing was more than 2 steps away from table, I would've been closer to table and smash ... although your mid-distance to far distance from table allowed to return some of his attacks ... you had a highlight-worthy moment when you returned his smash and he couldn't return in time as his forward momentum took him somewhere past the net into your side! Even the ref applauded that point!
6) your opponent served mostly fh pendulum during first game. 2nd and 3rd he served mostly fast to your fh with I don't know how to call this serve but it looks similar to Wang Hao's and Liu Guo Liang's serve stroke ... not sure if you could've capitalized on this or not
Will try to watch the match later uninterrupted, but wanted to post those thoughts before I forget
I'm a new member to site, just a 1400 player who came back to the game after 30+ yrs off... am 51 now. However, one of my philosophies in Life has always been "Iron sharpens iron". Help others improve to the best of my ability.
Truly hope these comments helped.
Very truly yours in TT,
~osp