Match Update & something I've learned of recent:
Match:
Well I'm very happy that after a year plus of trying, I finally beat my training partner & best mate at club last night 3-0.
I also took a game off the best player at our club who is currently USATT 2157. Came up just short getting two off him that I think he won 13-11?? Anyways, Played well.
Still playing my same ole but best setup of Penhold inverted FH, LPs backhand for the occasional RPB LP chop-block, service return, etc.
Something I've learned: (largely the reason why I was able to beat my partner finally)
So about a month ago, I was playing a really good, old experienced penholder who I think was practicing something in our match because the tactic seemed so bizzare to me. He was literally pushing every serve I gave him. I read this and thought, "okay side/top now and I'll 3rd ball this pop-up." To my surprise, he was able to push this and keep it low. The combination of my side/top continued with the aid of his push returned one of the spinniest backspin balls I've ever seen. I really had a hard time looping that back in and that just so happens to be my bread & butter.
Anyways, between that experience and some videos I've seen online, I've changed my thinking of "If ball is off the table or if you get some form of top, always attack & loop". This kind of thinking probably makes sense on the pro level. But at the intermediate level? Guess what. People don't have the same footwork, or fitness or a lot of times proper form. In other words, their likely hood of sometimes missing can be pretty good if you put them in a bad spot or make them move or load up the spin, etc.
So I've worked on playing more conservatively & balanced and it's paying off. It's making my game more unpredictable. If you give long topspin, maybe I'll LP chop-block it, Maybe I'll inverted chop or push it (you can really load up the spin with inverted) or maybe I'll attack. Anyways, it's kinda given me a safety net vs serves where I'm returning them at a much higher % and simply getting into the point. I'm excited to see where this goes.
I'm not going to suggest I can do this like what's demonstrated here but I think the technique or touch required to do this reminds me of what Can was doing vs Dan here. So it can be done.
Go to
9:09 in the video for his excellent demonstration.
