Daily Table Tennis Chit Chat

[dingyibvs]

thats why i retired from soccer bro. I am still in good shape in my 30s, but a lot of my opponents on the field were having way too many burritos. It was dangerous playing soccer with a bunch of chunky soccer players LOL.

Lol so true, my teammate injured his knee probably meniscus, in the same game! Broke my leg 2 years ago playing soccer, and meniscus many yrs ago doing the same, so maybe I should indeed consider stopping....

 

[Tyce]

All you 30s youngsters... In my 40s I don't even have the luxury to choose which sports to play just the one I get the least injury out of!

Jokes aside, injuries suck. Get well soon!

 

[Novarac23]

Another late update: Won a table tennis tournament at work. Beginner / intermediate bracket but was still fun. Advanced bracket had a 2000 usatt pips player that won. Final match was tough!

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

@NDH ,
I did it! I did it! I took your advise that was given two years ago. Two years ago you said to me Gozo try D09C. It is more controllable but I did not listen because it was too expensive and at 44 degree or 55 degree ESN scale was sheer madness, or so I thought. It was not until I have been using T05H for months now and getting some positive outcome that I even dare to consider 09C. So here it is: Two years later...

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

dead@NDH ,
I did it! I did it! I took your advise that was given two years ago. Two years ago you said to me Gozo try D09C. It is more controllable but I did not listen because it was too expensive and at 44 degree or 55 degree ESN scale was sheer madness, or so I thought. It was not until I have been using T05H for months now and getting some positive outcome that I even dare to consider 09C. So here it is: Two years later...
View attachment 35941

Just came back tonight from a session with this baby. This sheet is a four months old used D09C and is given to me by a club mate. Obviously this sheet has lost a lot of its initial sticky effect but nonetheless its grippy level is still 90% or more. However the trampoline effect is definitely lower than a new sheet which is a darn good thing. Being dead, I can play a very controlled game. Short push and near the net drop shot; some of these I could never have executed well with Tenergy and its ilk. Surprise I will say a little broken-in D09C is even better than a fresh sheet? Yes siree, it is!

Now looking for a used sheet of Glyzer09C for BH use...

 

[dingyibvs]

Had a training session yesterday. Swelling has gone down on my foot and I can walk now (couldn't walk for 4 days!), but it still hurts so I mainly blocked, practiced some stationary BH practice, and then a few practice matches. Surprisingly I was able to put up a pretty good fight even without moving. I mainly focused on maintaining a forward lean since I can't really squat either (the foot, but not the ankle, hurts when I bend my leg forward, oddly enough), and it actually really helps with getting to balls a bit earlier. I'm gonna really need to work on that, I think it's gonna help my game a lot.

It's kinda weird in that in practice I really try to maintain that lean, but in games I straighten up and utilize only my legs to stay low. I know many people have trouble with squatting more, but that was never my issue, instead it's bending my back. Weird, but it ties really well with my game. We played like 5 matches like that and it was only until the very end that I started being able to do that more often. That was way tougher than I expected.

I also mainly did BH serves which I usually never use, but it was a good practice for it. I'm a FH dominant player so I use the pendulum 90% of the time in matches, but since I couldn't really move today I exclusively stuck to a center positioning with reverse spin services. I tried that out a bit last session as well, and after yesterday I feel a lot more comfortable with it. I think I'm gonna keep using it.

Hopefully my foot will keep improving, and I can get back to full play soon.

 

[NetProphet]

@NDH ,
I did it! I did it! I took your advise that was given two years ago. Two years ago you said to me Gozo try D09C. It is more controllable but I did not listen because it was too expensive and at 44 degree or 55 degree ESN scale was sheer madness, or so I thought. It was not until I have been using T05H for months now and getting some positive outcome that I even dare to consider 09C. So here it is: Two years later...
View attachment 35941

Is this your blade?
I thought you were switched to a Nittaku Acoustic.

 

[Der_Echte]

Had a training session yesterday. Swelling has gone down on my foot and I can walk now (couldn't walk for 4 days!), but it still hurts so I mainly blocked, practiced some stationary BH practice, and then a few practice matches. Surprisingly I was able to put up a pretty good fight even without moving. I mainly focused on maintaining a forward lean since I can't really squat either (the foot, but not the ankle, hurts when I bend my leg forward, oddly enough), and it actually really helps with getting to balls a bit earlier. I'm gonna really need to work on that, I think it's gonna help my game a lot.

It's kinda weird in that in practice I really try to maintain that lean, but in games I straighten up and utilize only my legs to stay low. I know many people have trouble with squatting more, but that was never my issue, instead it's bending my back. Weird, but it ties really well with my game. We played like 5 matches like that and it was only until the very end that I started being able to do that more often. That was way tougher than I expected.

I also mainly did BH serves which I usually never use, but it was a good practice for it. I'm a FH dominant player so I use the pendulum 90% of the time in matches, but since I couldn't really move today I exclusively stuck to a center positioning with reverse spin services. I tried that out a bit last session as well, and after yesterday I feel a lot more comfortable with it. I think I'm gonna keep using it.

Hopefully my foot will keep improving, and I can get back to full play soon.

Hi @dingyibvs local player Ali and Sergey will confirm that last Saturday, I almost belonged in a wheelchair !!! (because of very sever ankle pain inside and deep into ankle !!!

Somehow a couple days later, i was able to move normally and get to wide balls. Weird. I would have to conclude that it was only a pressed nerve. NO WAY any deep grade one or two injury gets to 100% so damn soon.

So WHEN is Der_Echte gunna lead a trouble making mission to east or west bay to cause aboslute mayhem ???!!!

 

[NextLevel]

Haven't posted my focus here in a while but I have stopped attending PT for my shoulder but still try to do some exercises with bands at home. I played a rated tournament on the 5th and did decently well, was seeded 3rd and got third place.

I haven't been able to play a lot as I am focusing much more on my search for work and I also have to do stuff for my family. I did compile a list of things I need to work on;

Weight transfer on my forehand topspin as I struggle when pulled to the wide forehand and I also struggle with punches down the line from my opponents.

Getting back after doing a long push off a short serve so I can defend the opening loop.

Shortening my backhand and forehand topspin.

I had a lesson with my coach for the first time in a while and he said that I needed to make my backhand and forehand more compact. Initially I didn't really understand what he meant but after testing a few things, it became cleared that my upper arm usage was excessive compared to what he desired. So I need to play out my my upper body as a unit driven by the legs and give my upper arm less leverage. Since my footwork isn't great this will require a major rebuild but I will get to work on it. I am a bit lost on what I can do to beat the players I want to beat so this idea (making my strokes more compact) is as good as any. Hopefully it will improve my blocking and transitions and my wide forehand play. Probably has an anticipation element as well that needs to be worked on.

 

[Der_Echte]

my upper body as a unit driven by the legs

Nearly every pro Korean vid i just at some point will say this... the stroke is driven by the lower body... (step then hit, etc)

 

[Der_Echte]

... and yess, even Der_Echte, that @NextLevel has not seen in action in almost a decade has greatly improved being more compact... and gaine d a lot of level, but not showing at all in the ratings.

I used to tell Carl and NL than my play level was below theirs (and sincerely said that) and hampered by loss of sleep driving to NYC and various other factors... but now I would tell them I am immeasurably much better, but for some other reasons to discuss later much lower rated than ever...

So I have become 10x the sandbagging ringer in NL's estimation, but really, everyone has gotten better around me and so many sandbagging ringers play now it is silly.

Maybe I should get NL to come to Meiklejohn seniors tourney this year.

 

[Lazer]

Just came back tonight from a session with this baby. This sheet is a four months old used D09C and is given to me by a club mate. Obviously this sheet has lost a lot of its initial sticky effect but nonetheless its grippy level is still 90% or more. However the trampoline effect is definitely lower than a new sheet which is a darn good thing. Being dead, I can play a very controlled game. Short push and near the net drop shot; some of these I could never have executed well with Tenergy and its ilk. Surprise I will say a little broken-in D09C is even better than a fresh sheet? Yes siree, it is!

Now looking for a used sheet of Glyzer09C for BH use...

Sounds pretty heavy on Your blade… what’s the total weight?

Cheers
L-zr

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

Is this your blade?
I thought you were switched to a Nittaku Acoustic.

Why yes sireeee! It is my good man.
I am reformed EJ now, used to own a quite a blades, sold most of them and retain only three.
1. Gozo Monster aka 10.5mm One Ply Kiso Hinoki of Grade A+. Now is just sitting in my drawer as a collector's item. Never own one only merely looking after for the next gen. This tagline sound familiar?
2. Darker Speed 90 currently with D09C on FH with T25 on BH. Active use & main weapon.
3. Nitakku Acoustic with T05H on FH and soon to be Glayzer 09C on BH. This one belongs to my son but two months ago he told me, " Dad, I ain't playing TT no more. I want to pursue a different sport. Sigh! " Now it is my experiment blade. Like a sandbox, where I test new concepts and set-ups.

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

Sounds pretty heavy on Your blade… what’s the total weight?

Cheers
L-zr

probably close to 200g but here is the thing... I don't feel it at all. It does give the HULK SMASH(tm) feel whenever I want it, it is still there: latent, dormant deep inside. I may be Prof Hulk now, but the rage is still hidden deep inside.

 

[Lazer]

probably close to 200g but here is the thing... I don't feel it at all. It does give the HULK SMASH(tm) feel whenever I want it, it is still there: latent, dormant deep inside. I may be Prof Hulk now, but the rage is still hidden deep inside.

Hope it’s not head heavy… That would be a flick killer…

Cheers
L-zr

 

[olive-nguyen]

Hello, just wondering, does DHS H3 NEO unboosted work well on a 1-ply Hinoki? After trying my friends new Yinhe T-11s with h3 neo forehand using PH grip even I've found it suited me much better than even my current rubber, on a proper jpen blade. I found that my shots land really well on the table, and drives are an improvement, even tpb drives which are usually not easy in my opinion. I found that I have never fully clicked in to my current Fastarc, and since I started playing, I have been using Chinese rubber, Double Fish Volant 1 and DHS PF-4. As @PenHoldSandro said, my stroke is pretty big, and even with shortening it down, it still may fit chinese rubbers better than ESN.

 

[Tyce]

National veterans championships coming up Sunday. I entered a class higher than I currently play because I want to grab any chance I can to prove I can handle it.
Saw the preliminary draw and I'm playing a short pips clubmate who's really quick to take the ball. Trying to figure out strategies I can use and so far what I can muster up is to play deep rather than short so he can't spread wide easily, and keep placement in mind. I gotta give myself enough time to react to his quick game.
I don't know any of the other players, so we'll just see how it goes. If I can keep stable and play versatile, I'm sure I have a fair chance against most.

 

[SleepyMaster]

I had a six months break from table tennis due to a spine injury. I did some light gym session when I became able to walk but that’s all. Here some moments from today with my friend Oleksandr. Cheers everyone and stay self and healthy🫶🏻.

 

[PenHoldSandro]

Hello, just wondering, does DHS H3 NEO unboosted work well on a 1-ply Hinoki?

Why wouldn't it?

After trying my friends new Yinhe T-11s with h3 neo forehand using PH grip even I've found it suited me much better than even my current rubber, on a proper jpen blade. I found that my shots land really well on the table, and drives are an improvement, even tpb drives which are usually not easy in my opinion. I found that I have never fully clicked in to my current Fastarc, and since I started playing, I have been using Chinese rubber, Double Fish Volant 1 and DHS PF-4. As @PenHoldSandro said, my stroke is pretty big, and even with shortening it down, it still may fit chinese rubbers better than ESN.

Yep, you should go for it already! But ESN rubbers do work for some people, don't think of it as worse. I'm just telling you to switch to Chinese rubbers since it looks like that will work best for you.

RSM used T05, very similar to ESN

 

[banbekas]

Had a tournament yesterday. Decided to have fun and bomb everything. By the time I reached the semis, I felt I still had some juice left in the tank and figured I'd try to end it early by bombing it all again. I led the game 2-0, but then I completely ran out of steam, lol. My legs were shaking, hands were stiff, and my breath was ragged. In the end I lost 3-2. It was fun, but not doing that again.