Match video: Thoughts please

[UpSideDownCarl]

The only thing I will say here, having played NextLevel several times: LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING.

What he looks like on video is several levels lower than he is. There are some intangibles going on here that make NextLevel the level he is. That is all I will say. His level is higher than it looks on video or in person.

I am the opposite. I look like I am better than I am. People, from watching me train, often think I am higher level than I am. Then I play a match and I am mediocre. [emoji2]


Sent from the Subterranean Workshop by Telepathy

 

[NextLevel]

well yes thats me, i hope i'm much better now than that game where i lost 0-3 with little discussion ! but i was happy cause at least i was playing positively this one and made some good shots. 10 months later i may be 1 or 2% slower with age ? depending on the day, but my technique improved a lot since i believe, especially on the BH side where i really made a lot of progress (but still a lot of room).

i think you will see me rushing a bit too much as we all do, and playing too much on his BH side which is his strong side. when i play with more spin, especially cross court, he had more problems. at the time i had no confidence with my BH, and i was trying to pivot and attack with my FH as soon as possible. But its too risky and with pressure mounting i could not keep it

When I was coming up, it was precisely players who played like you and had bad backhand technique that my game was built to undermine. It's not just backhand technique but overall play along the backhand diagonal. When I struggle with or lose to a player at my level, there are usually two obvious things - they play well along the backhand diagonal and/or they have decent serves. Your current video doesn't show that, but if that has changed, then you will likely be able to beat me fairly easily.

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

@UpsideDownCarl

i watch a lot of videos from all levels, and watch my clubmates as well ... i insisted on NL problems but i can see his strong shots as well (and i've said it). he said he has a rating of around 2000 , I'm not shocked. I don't think he's lower than 2000. i don't see your point

As for me, there is no ranking in Japan, and i haven't played in France for years, so just having some idea. I think it play 100 points better than at the beginning of this year. I am much more consistent overall, more calm and confident, and changed my BH technique (shortened the swing, adjusted the bat angle) so its now quite effective and consistent, it can be powerful and spinny. I used to make a too big move lose my balance , and would hit the ball too flat. My game now would be a bit more balanced than on the video I believe. Still it was not a bad performance for my level at the time. And like everybody i play much better when training than a tournament i'm a bit too emotional. i would look even better in a training match and a stronger player cause I'm good at blocking and rallies, not very good on my 3rd ball, so at least i'll always score a few good points where i look good even i'm crushed LOL....

Because i train so often with much better players (including my coaches), i'm used to the speed and spin of that level above, that doesn't mean i beat those guys, but i can score points, sometimes win a set, and even a match. and i can tell that on some aspects of the game, i am already ready for the next levels, but alas there are too many weaknesses and in TT, you have to be balanced to get to the next level.

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

yes im much stronger in the BH diagonal than at the time, i'll try to prove it in some video one day ! and to myself in my next tournaments !

if its just drilling BH to BH (no randomness), i can even hit more consistently than some (much) better players. Of course games is very very different because you never know where the ball is going !

 

[laistrogian]

@UpsideDownCarl

i watch a lot of videos from all levels, and watch my clubmates as well ... i insisted on NL problems but i can see his strong shots as well (and i've said it). he said he has a rating of around 2000 , I'm not shocked. I don't think he's lower than 2000. i don't see your point

As for me, there is no ranking in Japan, and i haven't played in France for years, so just having some idea. I think it play 100 points better than at the beginning of this year. I am much more consistent overall, more calm and confident, and changed my BH technique (shortened the swing, adjusted the bat angle) so its now quite effective and consistent, it can be powerful and spinny. I used to make a too big move lose my balance , and would hit the ball too flat. My game now would be a bit more balanced than on the video I believe. Still it was not a bad performance for my level at the time. And like everybody i play much better when training than a tournament i'm a bit too emotional. i would look even better in a training match and a stronger player cause I'm good at blocking and rallies, not very good on my 3rd ball, so at least i'll always score a few good points where i look good even i'm crushed LOL....

Because i train so often with much better players (including my coaches), i'm used to the speed and spin of that level above, that doesn't mean i beat those guys, but i can score points, sometimes win a set, and even a match. and i can tell that on some aspects of the game, i am already ready for the next levels, but alas there are too many weaknesses and in TT, you have to be balanced to get to the next level.

I think playing people above your level is always one of the best ways to improve and learn new things. You watch how these players do their serves, flip balls and do certain things previously you don't quite understand. You're playing the sport in perhaps the best place there is. The sky is your limit really