Agree with Turbozed, when you push long, the opponent is going to either attack or push long. I remember that when I started trying to pivot to do forehands, I used to do it too early or when it wasn't right, but a tip from a coach helped me with it: "When you push long or attack cross court, most of the time the ball is going to come back cross court as well, since it's not easy to change the trajectory of the ball when someone puts you under pressure". Of course, good players can see you pivoting and change the trajectory of the ball since they are not under pressure with such shots, but at your level it's likely to come back cross court. Your blocks are good, try to get the ball before peak bounce so you use the momentum of the ball to return some of its speed back and make it more difficult for the opponent to do consecutive attacks. For blocking, try to keep the bat in front of you, that way you can go FH or BH easily, without your body being in the way. I know you're not focusing on services, but some of your services don't help your game much. From what I've watched on your videos, the backhand drive seems to be your best attack followed by the forehand loop/drive. The service that you do with your backhand (the under-sidespin) is not likely to return the ball in a way that you can attack the 3rd ball. Third ball attacks are crucial in table tennis to maintain the initiative. The tomahawk serve and the forehand backspin serve that you do give you a way better chance to attack the third ball, since the returns seem to pop up high over the net. The backhand serve makes your opponent to return a long push -most of the time at your level-, and that ball is hard to attack unless you have a good backhand loop. Remember, when you serve is the ONLY time when you are in full control of the spin/speed of the ball, practise your serves to give you a chance to attack the third ball and your game will improve lots.
So I'm reading this a couple of ways. 1 - anticipate the ball coming cross court and 2 - Attack cross court (because it's easier?) Terry, by the way is a master at hitting down the line. He tends to really counter this, but it might be because I broadcast my movement too early. Great tips on serving, too. You're right, I do backspin long too much, and it doesn't set up my attack, in fact, it sets up my weakest shot - backspin loops (if I do attack.)
@@BenSucksAtPingPong sorry, my explanation of the cross court game wasn't very clear. What I meant is that pushing long cross court or attacking cross court is going to put the opponent under pressure and they will likely return cross court. You can use that to your advantage, because you know where they are likely to return the ball. Predicting instead of reacting is good to keep the initiative and control the pace of the game, and you can get ready faster for your best shots.
Once you push long, get ready to drive the next ball coming back at you. There were a lot of times you kept pushing long with your BH when they were easy balls to either drive or loop with your BH. You can also step around to play the FH. Either way, you'll have an easier time doing both when you know it's coming long. 90%+ of the time your opponent isn't going to return a long push with a short one, so once you figure out the trajectory, get to that spot and be prepared to play a quality shot.
Agree with Turbozed, when you push long, the opponent is going to either attack or push long. I remember that when I started trying to pivot to do forehands, I used to do it too early or when it wasn't right, but a tip from a coach helped me with it: "When you push long or attack cross court, most of the time the ball is going to come back cross court as well, since it's not easy to change the trajectory of the ball when someone puts you under pressure". Of course, good players can see you pivoting and change the trajectory of the ball since they are not under pressure with such shots, but at your level it's likely to come back cross court.
Your blocks are good, try to get the ball before peak bounce so you use the momentum of the ball to return some of its speed back and make it more difficult for the opponent to do consecutive attacks. For blocking, try to keep the bat in front of you, that way you can go FH or BH easily, without your body being in the way.
I know you're not focusing on services, but some of your services don't help your game much. From what I've watched on your videos, the backhand drive seems to be your best attack followed by the forehand loop/drive. The service that you do with your backhand (the under-sidespin) is not likely to return the ball in a way that you can attack the 3rd ball. Third ball attacks are crucial in table tennis to maintain the initiative. The tomahawk serve and the forehand backspin serve that you do give you a way better chance to attack the third ball, since the returns seem to pop up high over the net. The backhand serve makes your opponent to return a long push -most of the time at your level-, and that ball is hard to attack unless you have a good backhand loop.
Remember, when you serve is the ONLY time when you are in full control of the spin/speed of the ball, practise your serves to give you a chance to attack the third ball and your game will improve lots.
So I'm reading this a couple of ways.
1 - anticipate the ball coming cross court and
2 - Attack cross court (because it's easier?)
Terry, by the way is a master at hitting down the line. He tends to really counter this, but it might be because I broadcast my movement too early.
Great tips on serving, too. You're right, I do backspin long too much, and it doesn't set up my attack, in fact, it sets up my weakest shot - backspin loops (if I do attack.)
@@BenSucksAtPingPong sorry, my explanation of the cross court game wasn't very clear. What I meant is that pushing long cross court or attacking cross court is going to put the opponent under pressure and they will likely return cross court. You can use that to your advantage, because you know where they are likely to return the ball. Predicting instead of reacting is good to keep the initiative and control the pace of the game, and you can get ready faster for your best shots.
@Belgamor77 thank you! I appreciate the insight!
Once you push long, get ready to drive the next ball coming back at you. There were a lot of times you kept pushing long with your BH when they were easy balls to either drive or loop with your BH. You can also step around to play the FH. Either way, you'll have an easier time doing both when you know it's coming long. 90%+ of the time your opponent isn't going to return a long push with a short one, so once you figure out the trajectory, get to that spot and be prepared to play a quality shot.
This is a very good strategy.
So, push long, move (hop) back. Drive.