I guess I never gave too much thought to push quality and push placement. Obviously lower and spinnier is better, but I didn't feel like there's a clear path to improve your push(unlike a loop which has a more direct path to improvement).
When I think about it, I think 90% of my pushes are directly back in the same direction that it came, and 90% of pushes basically are towards the center of the opponent's table. I think I do this just to be safe and keep the ball in play. Against partner, it isn't a problem. But I noticed that against the 2000 guy, he just punished every single push that I did into the center.
Because you never took the time to REALLY work on the short game/pushes tactics, you play safe... and then experienced players will think you're too much predictable.
Try to play a whole 11 pts game against someone ranked the same as you are with the short game and pushes strategy ONLY, it's long, sometimes frustrating of course, BUT at the end of the day you'll notice a huge improvement in your general ball control, being either variation of spin or ball placement