Asking for Feedback for my game

[Zezima]

Hello Guys,

Short Introduction: 28y 196cm. Can do all strokes (just not very consistent haha) except for my FH serve return. I dont really flick much - didn´t practise it enough.

I will post a Win and Loss so you can judge me better:

I feel like I don´t have a playstyle if that makes sense? I serve randomly also I feel like my distance to the table is wrong (either too close or too far).

I am also thinking about Hurricane NEO for my FH instead of D09c would that be helpful for my game? I feel like I can loop "faster" but sometimes I am too scared that it might fly over the table. I use the racket for almost 1,5 years now. I am very confident with my Backhand. Except if they push fast from above -> down instead of pushing "forward only".

Here I used my BH alot vs LP player:

My goal is to get a good spinny controlled FH. I just want it to be more consistent. Currently in the progress of looping with a more open bat.

 

[jk1980]

When did you change from G-1 to dignics 09c on the forehand?

 

[Zezima]

When did you change from G-1 to dignics 09c on the forehand?

1,5 weeks before season started. So like almost 1 month ago. Still need to get used to it especially in the passive game. It used to be enough holding the racket towards the ball when in defense but this rubber absorbs a lot of energy so I still need to go forward. Either way I don´t understand my forehand much also in terms of how I need to hit the ball (Sponge engagement) and such. Sometimes I hit slow and it still goes out (I assume because I didn´t add enough topspin) But if I do a faster movement it also goes out.
I could def feel the control on my bh with D09c but not so much on my fh. I think its my technique and that I just need more time..

 

[jk1980]

Tbh dignics 09c is not really forgiving, so pretty much every other real hybrid would be more forgiving, especially since you won't find many hybrids that have a harder sponge.

There are many ways to go about choosing your rubber. One thing a teammate of mine used to good effect is to combine his inner carbon blade with a rubber that is "slow" enough, so that the ball still lands on the table even when he gives it 100% power.

There are even "semi-professionals"(3rd league in Germany) that train at least 4 times a week and say that dignics 09c is not easy to handle with that amount of training. I don't know if it is very wise to play this rubber with even less training and skill tbh. Sorry, that is probably not what you wanted to read. Just wanted to share my two pence regarding that rubber choice. Did not watch the videos yet.

 

[Zezima]

Tbh dignics 09c is not really forgiving, so pretty much every other real hybrid would be more forgiving, especially since you won't find many hybrids that have a harder sponge.

There are many ways to go about choosing your rubber. One thing a teammate of mine used to good effect is to combine his inner carbon blade with a rubber that is "slow" enough, so that the ball still lands on the table even when he gives it 100% power.

There are even "semi-professionals"(3rd league in Germany) that train at least 4 times a week and say that dignics 09c is not easy to handle with that amount of training. I don't know if it is very wise to play this rubber with even less training and skill tbh. Sorry, that is probably not what you wanted to read. Just wanted to share my two pence regarding that rubber choice. Did not watch the videos yet.

I assume you are talking generally about that rubber and not specific for the fh?
I made the switch one by one. First swapped out the Rakza7 for D09c on the bh -> Improved my BH immediately.
My fh was still g1. So I just had to flip the racket to compare these two. Spin wise I could generate more spin with g1 on slower stroke and maybe like 5% more spin with D09c or just the same. Only big difference was my short game was better with the d09c. Thats how I ended up with D09c both sides now.

I do want to give H3 neo a chance on my fh though. Debating whether I should try the orange sponge 39 or the blue sponge version (commercial / provincial?)

But only after like 2 months. For now I will keep my setup as it is till first half of the season will be over (in ~ 1month)
2nd half starts around february I believe.

Currently I am 10-2 in the Single standings (3rd place) after the 4th Round so I am happy so far.

 

[Sims]

My goal is to get a good spinny controlled FH. I just want it to be more consistent. Currently in the progress of looping with a more open bat.

If this is really what you're looking for then I'm certain that you are using the wrong rubber on your FH. Dignics 09c is a beast of a thing that doesn't forgive and, as great as it is at what it's designed for, it just makes the game more difficult for folks at our level.
There are lots of rubbers to start with if you want to really develop a consistent and controlled FH. I personally love to recommend Rakza 7 and Rakza Z although it doesn't really matter so long as you choose a rubber that you can actually expect to master inside of 3-6 months.
For example 7 is just a great allround rubber that does a bit of everything very well while Z is tackier, slower, great for spinning up and also in the short game.
Start with this and work with a coach and practice like crazy and then, once you've got it so you almost cannot do it wrong, then experiment with rubber that is faster, stickier, spinnier etc.
That would be my starting point for anyone who just wants to hit the table more often.

I enjoyed the videos though and can relate to much of what I see in them.
I reckon you could win each of those games comfortably if you just eradicated completely some bad habits and tightened up on your serves. Habits like not anticipating quickly enough, not watching the opponents racket, ball watching after your shots, poorly executed serves, and shot selection that doesn't seem to incorporate the position of your opponent are all easily fixed in a few months without having to address the more difficult stuff like technique, because it's mostly in the head.
And once you automate that stuff almost every shot is easier because of your position and the added time you'll have.
I don't feel qualified to comment on technique because you'll get the same advice, and better, from other members!

 

[jk1980]

I assume you are talking generally about that rubber and not specific for the fh?
I made the switch one by one. First swapped out the Rakza7 for D09c on the bh -> Improved my BH immediately.
My fh was still g1. So I just had to flip the racket to compare these two. Spin wise I could generate more spin with g1 on slower stroke and maybe like 5% more spin with D09c or just the same. Only big difference was my short game was better with the d09c. Thats how I ended up with D09c both sides now.

Oh, i see. I did not notice you put the dignics 09c on the backhand.
Watching your videos what was really standing out is that your backhand is more consistent and also more dangerous for the opponent.
You scored a few points on the forehand, but these were powerloops at best where the speed of the ball was the reason the opponent could not cope with it and not the spin. Whenever you did the same shot to a "bad placement" and the opponent was able to block the point was over in favor of the opponent iirc because you could not follow up the quick returning blocked ball.

If you go for Hurricane DHS Neo 3 without boosting then you go to the very other extreme. You will have to work very hard and probably relearn the technique. A rubber that would be much closer to your current technique would be the Nittaku PK50 Sieger because it is tacky, not that hard and slower. If you do loop with it the opponent will be having more trouble because the combination of spin and speed is more shifted towards spin which is harder to cope with on that level.

From a looping perspective i did not see any benefit for your forehand that i would account to the dignics 09c, since the loops were all less spinny and you are basically not using the rubber like a pro could, which is understandable of course.

Currently I am 10-2 in the Single standings (3rd place) after the 4th Round so I am happy so far.

Good job, that is the new league that you talked about that your team was relegated to, right ? I think you definitely improved from playing in last years league,

 

[Zezima]

Oh, i see. I did not notice you put the dignics 09c on the backhand.
Watching your videos what was really standing out is that your backhand is more consistent and also more dangerous for the opponent.
You scored a few points on the forehand, but these were powerloops at best where the speed of the ball was the reason the opponent could not cope with it and not the spin. Whenever you did the same shot to a "bad placement" and the opponent was able to block the point was over in favor of the opponent iirc because you could not follow up the quick returning blocked ball.

If you go for Hurricane DHS Neo 3 without boosting then you go to the very other extreme. You will have to work very hard and probably relearn the technique. A rubber that would be much closer to your current technique would be the Nittaku PK50 Sieger because it is tacky, not that hard and slower. If you do loop with it the opponent will be having more trouble because the combination of spin and speed is more shifted towards spin which is harder to cope with on that level.

From a looping perspective i did not see any benefit for your forehand that i would account to the dignics 09c, since the loops were all less spinny and you are basically not using the rubber like a pro could, which is understandable of course.



Good job, that is the new league that you talked about that your team was relegated to, right ? I think you definitely improved from playing in last years league,

No I would try the Neo 3 (orange) 39° with 1 layer of booster.

As you said I feel like I don´t really get much with the d09c on the fh. So I want to experiment more here. I also need a bit more time to adjust to this new rubber aswell I think 1 month is not enough imo. As I said atleast my short game and pushing has improved drastically. But people here serve almost everything long. So I can´t really use the short game much.

I wouldn´t touch my bh now and just keep training for now. I will also try to pivot less and less because I feel like I lose many points that go towards deep in my fh corner. So I want to cover my fh side better.

I am just thinking about which drills I should be working on to fix my mistakes in games that I do a lot.

 

[Zezima]

If this is really what you're looking for then I'm certain that you are using the wrong rubber on your FH. Dignics 09c is a beast of a thing that doesn't forgive and, as great as it is at what it's designed for, it just makes the game more difficult for folks at our level.
There are lots of rubbers to start with if you want to really develop a consistent and controlled FH. I personally love to recommend Rakza 7 and Rakza Z although it doesn't really matter so long as you choose a rubber that you can actually expect to master inside of 3-6 months.
For example 7 is just a great allround rubber that does a bit of everything very well while Z is tackier, slower, great for spinning up and also in the short game.
Start with this and work with a coach and practice like crazy and then, once you've got it so you almost cannot do it wrong, then experiment with rubber that is faster, stickier, spinnier etc.
That would be my starting point for anyone who just wants to hit the table more often.

I enjoyed the videos though and can relate to much of what I see in them.
I reckon you could win each of those games comfortably if you just eradicated completely some bad habits and tightened up on your serves. Habits like not anticipating quickly enough, not watching the opponents racket, ball watching after your shots, poorly executed serves, and shot selection that doesn't seem to incorporate the position of your opponent are all easily fixed in a few months without having to address the more difficult stuff like technique, because it's mostly in the head.
And once you automate that stuff almost every shot is easier because of your position and the added time you'll have.
I don't feel qualified to comment on technique because you'll get the same advice, and better, from other members!

You are right most of my mistakes have nothing to do with the rubber. But what do you mean easily fixable within a few months? How would you get rid of those habbits? Can you elaborate more on this so I can think about implementing in my trainings and work on them?
My technique seems really good (comparing to other players I play against) but the other things you mentioned not so much

 

[Aizen]

Hi Zezima, I've watched 2nd match and took some notes, these are lost points.

1, 2, 3- FH loop out
4- Bh racket edge
5- serve out
6- high return & late to FH corner
7- BH Miss hit
8- loop to mid, late to BH from FH
9- BH to net
10- High return, FH rally lost
11- Loop/smash to high backspin into net

1- Bh open out
2- Off guard / Late to FH after pivot attack
3- BH net - out
4- Bh open out
5- BH miss hit
6- Fade return to net
7- half FH fell to net
8- Too high block, killed by opponent
9- High return, late to FH corner, opponent smashed
10- BH passive return to net
11- serve out

1- BH net
2- BH out
3- FH late then net
4- BH return net
5- FH out
6- BH out after arching too high
7- BH out, arch too high
8- FH long push out
9- BH too thin contact, high arc, the ball fell before net.
10- BH miss hit
11- Off guard / Late to FH after pivot attack

TLDR: I'm not sure FH rubber should be main concern, If I were you probably, firstly I would focus on my BH technique.

Don't get me wrong you've played good, also your opponent is very successful at blocks and very patient.

Of course, these are last couple shots on rally, there could be find other improvement points maybe in FH etc.
Also you have strengths.

Mine is mere amateur observations to make things bit more clear. Pro's & coaches could do better definitely.

Second thing would be to work on could be recovery & anticipation, your opponent catches your open FH commonly. You are already taller player, can easily step in, I would stand bit more far away from table when rally started.

The third could be shot quality on like placement, arch height etc. Sometimes you gave advantage to opponent.

 

[Zezima]

Hi Zezima, I've watched 2nd match and took some notes, these are lost points.

1, 2, 3- FH loop out
4- Bh racket edge
5- serve out
6- high return & late to FH corner
7- BH Miss hit
8- loop to mid, late to BH from FH
9- BH to net
10- High return, FH rally lost
11- Loop/smash to high backspin into net

1- Bh open out
2- Off guard / Late to FH after pivot attack
3- BH net - out
4- Bh open out
5- BH miss hit
6- Fade return to net
7- half FH fell to net
8- Too high block, killed by opponent
9- High return, late to FH corner, opponent smashed
10- BH passive return to net
11- serve out

1- BH net
2- BH out
3- FH late then net
4- BH return net
5- FH out
6- BH out after arching too high
7- BH out, arch too high
8- FH long push out
9- BH too thin contact, high arc, the ball fell before net.
10- BH miss hit
11- Off guard / Late to FH after pivot attack

TLDR: I'm not sure FH rubber should be main concern, If I were you probably, firstly I would focus on my BH technique.

Don't get me wrong you've played good, also your opponent is very successful at blocks and very patient.

Of course, these are last couple shots on rally, there could be find other improvement points maybe in FH etc.
Also you have strengths.

Mine is mere amateur observations to make things bit more clear. Pro's & coaches could do better definitely.

Second thing would be to work on could be recovery & anticipation, your opponent catches your open FH commonly. You are already taller player, can easily step in, I would stand bit more far away from table when rally started.

The third could be shot quality on like placement, arch height etc. Sometimes you gave advantage to opponent.

Hi Aizen,
Thanks for your reply. I agree with you and pointed it already out that my distance to table is not right, I also have that feeling that I stay too close to the table after we are in the rally. And my anticipation especially against unknown player is really bad to stay that close to the table. -> Noted

I also did the other way around. How I won the points only wrote down the last point.

1 BH
2 BH
3 FH
4 FH
5 BH
7 FH
9 lots of FH and BH - Final point with BH

1 BH
2 BH
8Point for Opp (3:20) : did 3 really good BH loops with placement -> stopped playing against a high block to my middle


1 FH
2 FH very nice and controlled
3 FH block

In this particular game (mainly vs block / faster "smash" player) who serves mainly topspin. The points I did was quite even. He played a lot into my Backhand so obviously it will look that my BH is weaker than my FH.
For that also I need to count every single especially "positive" shot I did with each stroke. Lets say I did 50 BH shots and did this amount of mistake as you stated vs when I did 20BH shots -> You see its quite different.
My BH still needs work still quite funny that I said I am so consistent when doing so many mistakes still and my fh isnt even that bad compared to it. Either way during drills and training and even warmup I just feel more consistent with the BH loops.

I actually like this Idea and will do it for the other game aswell where I won for example vs Stefan.

Overall I saw that I loop "faster" with my FH and my Opponent gets to block it less than compared to my BH shots. They are mostly spinny sure, and forces my opponent to block it back but I need to develope more "forwards" stroke. They are just too slow for now.

And also I get the same high balls as he does sometimes while he is smashing them I do a weak return (block high, lifting etc.) And not a single time did I smashed the high balls away even though they were reasonably high over the net.