What is the meaning of CONTROL in a game?

[Kopp]

Hey, I need some help understanding control in a game.

When people talk about a "control" style, does it just mean playing passively with lots of blocking and placing? Doesn't that give the opponent all the initiative to attack?

So, how do you actually win playing a control style? What kind of equipment would suit a control player best? Are blades with carbon OK or just allwoods?

And what about rubbers? Are tensors a bad idea? Tacky or non-tacky?

Is control style more suited to beginners, kids, or maybe even older players? Or can anyone play like that at a high level?

Who are top players playing with this style? Is the style still applicable in the modern TT?

Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Edit: Since I've misunderstood "control" to the playing style, please ignore the "style" (striked) and focus to the "control stroke" instead.

 

[Aizen]

Control is a very abstract term.

I haven’t heard control style, do you mean all-round?

Because offensive and defensive are two well known styles. I think All round is a made-up word for styles, it basically means less aggressive offensive.

 

[Kopp]

Control is a very abstract term.

I haven’t heard control style, do you mean all-round?

Because offensive and defensive are two well known styles. I think All round is a made-up word for styles, it basically means less aggressive offensive.

I'm not sure. Sometimes people in the club tell me just to just control the ball, especially BH, because I have issue looping the ball with my BH. I take it as hitting the ball the best I could just to keep it in rally and prepare for the next one, hopefully I can give pressure on the following ball.

 

[mcfly]

I'm not sure. Sometimes people in the club tell me just to just control the ball, especially BH, because I have issue looping the ball with my BH. I take it as hitting the ball the best I could just to keep it in rally and prepare for the next one, hopefully I can give pressure on the following ball.

i think control here is mostly about skill

the spin control skill is probably the ultimate skill to master in table tennis

 

[Lazer]

Never heard of a “control style” but control means putting the where you want when you want.
I would imagine a control style means to always try to put the ball back on the table without necessarily killing it…

Cheers
L-zr

 

[Kopp]

Never heard of a “control style” but control means putting the where you want when you want.
I would imagine a control style means to always try to put the ball back on the table without necessarily killing it…

Cheers
L-zr

OK, that makes sense.

Does it have to do with "control" rating for the rubber I always see in the reviews? If I want to always control the ball before a clear chance of killing it, should I choose the rubber with the higher control rating?

 

[Aizen]

I'm not sure. Sometimes people in the club tell me just to just control the ball, especially BH, because I have issue looping the ball with my BH. I take it as hitting the ball the best I could just to keep it in rally and prepare for the next one, hopefully I can give pressure on the following ball.

Of course, “Controlling ball” is a real observable action.

If you can’t control ball, you will lose point, either in attack or defence or any passive return.

A fundamental skill, Any tt player must have. Some are better, some are worse.

I guess the control game mentioned is being less aggressive, taking less risk etc.

 

[Hoàng Chinh Trump]

You mean "control game like Ma Long"?

 

[Kopp]

You mean "control game like Ma Long"?

IDK. In my understanding, it's like not taking too many risks. Keeping the ball in, hoping the opponent makes a mistake, or waiting a clear opportunity to kill the ball.

 

[SleepyMaster]

For me control style is mostly when much higher level opponent is playing against you. His giving you opportunity to start an attack and still moving you around the table in awkward positions as he wants to. Then switching to most uncomfortable and unpredictable serve receive/mixing it with a lot of variety in his serve. And mostly he don’t even need to hit super hard because you still lose even to this type of play from him. His keeping all under his “control”

 

[Lazer]

OK, that makes sense.

Does it have to do with "control" rating for the rubber I always see in the reviews? If I want to always control the ball before a clear chance of killing it, should I choose the rubber with the higher control rating?

Yes for all equipment.
If you want to make it simple. “How easy iir is to use this equipment”.

Control in a peice of equipment always means how easy it is to control. For table tennis equipment:

Blades - speed and control are the inverse of each other. So if someone is giving highest numbers in both categories it’s plain bull crap.

Rubbers - speed and spin makes it a little more complicated but it has a similar relation more spin = less control and also of course more speed = less control.

Cheers
L-zr

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

In the amateur space, where both technique and training is inadequate, I found the "control" aspect used a lot more among coaches.

For example, the player is overall aggressive, and thinking he is Ma Long version 2 and can just go 2 wing looping on every ball.
the coach could say, just place the ball on, no need to go for overkills (self kill in this example), and just play more control and only attack those easier (low risk) shots.

I think control would be the strategy imposed, than oppose to style or equipment.
Of course there are equipment that has more control, due to less speed and are easier to control than ultra fast rubbers.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

for semi pro and upwards,

control would be the finer detail on the execution of any stroke.
the opposite is, playing too loosely,
hence, coaches would say "tighten the ball" (in Mandarin)

 

[TackyForehand]

The meaning of control in TT is very simple. It means to "control" the amount of speed, spin, and height of the ball where you want it to go accurately and consistently.

 

[Kopp]

In the amateur space, where both technique and training is inadequate, I found the "control" aspect used a lot more among coaches.

For example, the player is overall aggressive, and thinking he is Ma Long version 2 and can just go 2 wing looping on every ball.
the coach could say, just place the ball on, no need to go for overkills (self kill in this example), and just play more control and only attack those easier (low risk) shots.

I think control would be the strategy imposed, than oppose to style or equipment.
Of course there are equipment that has more control, due to less speed and are easier to control than ultra fast rubbers.

So can I say that control in TT means I use the shot that minimizes risk to my best ability while focusing on technique and using the equipment that suit my level or I can control?

 

[Gozo Aruna]

For an amateur, control meaning keep the ball in play or keep sending the ball back to your opponent. If you do this better than your opponent, you win!

 

[Yuomay]

For an amateur, control meaning keep the ball in play or keep sending the ball back to your opponent. If you do this better than your opponent, you win!

A pro who puts balls back on the table better than their opponents also wins his games haha

 

[Gozo Aruna]

A pro who puts balls back on the table better than their opponents also wins his games haha

A pro cannot just put the ball back, he must do it with style; instagram worthy shot all the time because he has to satisfy the WTT audience.

 

[Aizen]

A pro cannot just put the ball back, he must do it with style; instagram worthy shot all the time because he has to satisfy the WTT audience.

Still a pro can control while doing all fancy stuff.

For me, Control is kind of opposite of aggression and risk.

It could be in terms of speed, spin, placement, angle, timing position etc etc.

An each shot can be more control oriented (safer) or more risky to execute (aggressive) or in between.

 

[Loop Lob Smash]

Lots of contributions here using control to mean reducing risk to be more consistent.
I have also heard it used in a way that has meaning something like 'applying pressure' and also with a meaning like 'unbalancing your opponent', like controlling your opponent through strategic placement of shots. That is more than just waiting for your opponent to make a mistake. Control taken too far is passivity in that sense.

Another aspect of the initial post... @Kopp you received advice to be more conservative with your backhand.
When I started playing golf I hit a lot of tee shots out of bounds. Numerous people told me "don't try and hit it so hard". One person said ignore that advice and work on hitting it straighter.
Will let coaches here give their opinions on that in respect of tt. Will just say don't entirely put aside what type of player you want to be and what gives you enjoyment.