This is not a good style with the long pimples today and with the new ball. I think these players will either try anti instead or/and start to become much more offensive because they do not get enough backspin to win nowdays. I will atleast think thay many will try anti instead, know that akerstrom tried. But i think Anti is a different style of play?
Or maybe players become more traditional choppers.
I think one in my club should try to play more like carl prean, offensive with long pimple to counteract the less backspin. Maybe you can try this.
I do not recommend anyone starting out to use the pushblocking style. It is still possible to play good with it but i think it is much harder nowdays and other styles is better to use if you want success.
Edit: it is to bad that they forbid the long pimple rubbers. Diversity is good.
I think the problem with frictionless anti is it glues you to the table. Mainly talking about very high levels here. And if they play their forehand from a slightly farther back distance, the anti is pretty useless. You need to use it up close and blocking for it's full effectiveness. At lower levels I dont think it matters all that much, the chops will just come back with no spin or with some reversal.
I agree though for most people they need a good, strong fh to complement the lp ox or anti. Some players can get away with being dependent on the anti or ox lp still, but not many. Other players have great forehands but weak backhands, so just use the lp ox as a safety net until they can power loop another fh winner.
I'm transitioning to the fh style, using the lp for chop blocks and bump shots over the table while covering most of the shots with a fh. And at my level, I dont think the bh craze at pro games is that relevant. Nobody is going to be banana flicking me over and over or having a lethal and consistent backhand smash and loop at high speeds like harimoto etc.
