Okay, so here are some thought and tips to add to what Der Echte and Carl has told you .
First accept that our game has lot many varied styles and techniques , some which are self developed and just as effective as what we call "copy book" . You have to understand , somebody had also developed these "copy book" techniques which became widely acknowledged as more effective for a player in the longer term. It does not necessarily mean when you are starting out learning these techniques you will be successful against "lesser known personal" techniques that have been practiced by these practitioners for decades. So accept that there is no "elitism" in table tennis , every technique is just as good as others. Its just because of the development of the sport and equipments some forms have more chances of success . Second, practice and game play is different, you have to play more matches. Infact, some of my friends used to encourage to bet small amounts of money in friendly matches to ensure that it gets as serious as tournament play.
However, also you have understand and appreciate that long pips, frictionless etc are exciting variations of table tennis and you should start loving the challenge of playing them. The key to playing long pips is to remember what spin went to the long pips because it cannot create spin on its own. Recently , I heard from my friends back in California that one of the more accomplished players in our club Dr. Shuja Jaffar defeated two times U.S. National Champion Tiimothy Wang in the California Open and created quite a commotion. And what is Shuja's style of play? Primarily over the table chop block using long pips and flat hitting with forehand. Of course, with a lot of skill and intelligence behind it
. Remember, using long pips effectively is a skill in itself, it does not take away anything from the player if he is using Long, Pips.
Now how to get over your current woes :
1. Footwork , foot work , foot work !!!
. That's the biggest hurdle to cross and it takes longer as well. So keep on practicing side to side and inside out footwork.
2. Practice pushing . Have you ever thought how less we practise push ? If you are a penhold player, you have to have a better short game and push than others, thats mandatory !!!
3. Don't use RPB over the table banana to receive serves unless you are sure that 80% of the time you will be able to get back to position to play the ball that comes back !! practise this in practice and get the skill to open the ball with the back hand flick and come back to hit a topspin on the backhand corner. I guess you understand what I am saying . You can use it as a surprise option but don't over do it .
4. Practice slow looping with a lot of rotation. its very effective.
5. don't serve short side spin or short underspin against players who can flick with long pips, serve no spin and long , remember the side spin you used if you do ( I would rather not unless you remember that side under is going to become side top etc. ) and attack the next ball. Also , another trick I used against long pips players is that I don't want to stay away from their long pips unless there are very very good with it , I purposefully play against their long pips. There are two reasons. One is that it separates the men from the boys, who really know how to use long pips vis-a-vis who are just hiding their weak side. Number two it takes away the fear factor and gets the opponent thinking. Also, it helps you to develop your game.
I think I have told you most of the techniques I use against such players, the other quick fire way is to do a difficult to read and return serves, however, remember the return will also be difficult for such serves and also sometimes having super serves slows down the development.