I'm only about 3 weeks and it is going really well so far. I'm trying something I have failed at in the past.
Reprogramming my brain to opt for (and feel confident in) the RPB block vs the TPB block.
It's a strange thing but say you're warming up with someone. I can TPB block back all day. No problem.
RPB block back in warmup? I was good for 1 or 2 hits before I have an error. Hit a finger. Most likely block it in the net, etc.
Now when it came time to rip the ball, the RPB was the easy choice and it's very spiny (some of my highlights you'll see that in videos). But I wasn't consistent with it. Thus the need to develop a more toned down version of the shot that's more consistent when you need it.
Well outside of a little technique adjustment, more on that in a minute, I think this largely just comes down to practice. I've had about 3 weeks or not where I've willing accepted that I might make more errors but dang it I'm going to figure out this RPB block and drive. I feel like it has gone from "horrible" to "not bad"
It kinda makes sense in my head now that I'm figuring it out. But the TPB face is naturally more flat or neutral. Where as the RPB face is naturally pretty closed. So I've been trained all my life to block with the TPB moving my arm forward. With RPB it clicked when I did two things. 1 - Don't use wrist. Engage the wrist when I want to spin it which is my normal stroke when I want to go for it. 2 - Instead of forward. Every motion is forward and up at I'd say this small 45 degree angle. I have to feel the blade touching the upper part of the ball. Otherwise, that ball is going in the net.
So much like how you shadow practice a block punching motion. I'm retraining my brain to go forward & up with it on the RPB.
I'm also trying not to beat myself up if a ball quickly comes to my backhand and my brain instinctively uses the TPB. It's still a useful stroke. On your cross-over point and when I fish off the table. Those are all done with TPB.
But it was a necessary change as vs powerful loops or smashes my confidence in being able to not block that ball long is much higher in opting for the RPB block in those instances.