7

915

04/30/2005

Hazinski, Mark

2595

IN

12/18/2004

10

1819

10/31/2005

Xiao, Han

2564

MD

12/18/2004

I just finished watching the last 2 games.  Tons of unforced errors on both sides.  Very few rallies.  Each player seems to be going all out for the 3rd ball attack.  Neither player seems to have much defense or control.  It's hit or miss, the one who hits gets the point.  this is very boring compared to watching Cheng and Eric Owens.  I thought that Han Xiao was supposed to play just like Cheng but instead he is much less patient. 

Marco

http://forums.about.com/ab-tabletennis/messages?msg=17086.2

I just don't get it.  Don't these kids watch tapes?  Tapes of the worlds?  Tapes of themselves? 

I know I'm 600 points lower than these kids, but darn it when I'm playing I make sure to try and do the right thing.  I know sooner or later it's going to start to work.  I figure someone has to win and someone has to lose, and hitting really really hard while rushing probably isn't going to change much.  Might as well do it right.   

I think there is such a thing as "a mature game" and our kids are just not displaying it.  Everyone is trying to rip big winners as if that is impressive.  It was....when I was 1200.  Now I'm not so impressed by a big rip.  Heck, I can do that too.  Get a radar gun I bet I can hit as hard as any 2500 player.  Maybe harder. 

What impresses me now are the things that I can't do.  The fantastic serves.  The fantastic returns.  Gracefull and accurate movement.  Genius placement.  Spin disguise. 

Why is Mark serving medium long balls directly into Han's forehand?  Han doesn't even have to move to rip it!  And then Han over hits it off the table!  This is like the "Bad News Bears" of ping pong! 

What ever happened to serving 80% really short, and the occasional long serve needs to be really long, like white line, and a surprise.  Christ, make the kid move before he rips in your serve.  At least maybe taking that one step will throw something off. 

Uggghhhh....

(what was that thread about which one of these kids will be world top 20 soon?  Good thing they have good grades....)

Marco

http://forums.about.com/ab-tabletennis/messages?msg=17086.7

"When you look at Lupi, Cheng or David the one thing you see very quickly is they can play their best shot for 3-4 successive shots in a row.  They are not out of position after their first, second, or third attacks.  "

and that is because they are not hitting "their best shot" at 100% power.  They take something off of it, and get some good placement instead.  Cheng can paint the white lines with his forehand attack.  Lupi's counterloops touch the white lines deep.  David does nothing sloppy.  Nothing.  He is very precise. 

These kids need to understand that their "hardest" shot is NOT their best chance of winning the point. 

Did Danny and Cheng both miss something in their coaching of these kids?  Chetan never asked me to hit hard.  He always stressed balance and control at all times.  Balance, control, and placement come first.  THEN comes power only if you feel you have time.  Otherwise do what Lupi and Cheng do and just wait for one more shot.  Or 2 more shots.  Or 5 more shots.  You get the point. 

Marco

http://forums.about.com/ab-tabletennis/messages?msg=17086.8

I tell Tahl this is Classic New York City Table Tennis.  Hit it as soon and as hard as you can.  This can work sometimes in the US, but it can't work internationally.  It is a very low understanding of high level table tennis.  When Ryu rips a third ball it is because he was in perfect position and had a target.  He had already planned on just seizing the first attack and was ready to work for the point.

When you look at Lupi, Cheng or David the one thing you see very quickly is they can play their best shot for 3-4 successive shots in a row.  They are not out of position after their first, second, or third attacks. 

With most of our kids they go for the biggest shot possible both on offense and defense! 

There is such a difference between blocking for position when attacked upon and trying to re-rip a ball off the bounce off a loop that caught you off guard.

At 9-9 the better player will respond with a wise shot selection; the lower player will try to rip the heck out of the ball and afterwards say, "Hey, at least I went for it!" 

Very foolish thinking (right, Tahl? Just put the ball on the table) .  That type of logic would get you killed in boxing or golf!

Sean P. O'Neill

http://forums.about.com/ab-tabletennis/messages?msg=17086.3

I agree completely.  I think we learned that rather well at the Olympic Trials.  Or I should say I learned that rather well at the Olympic trials.  The problem I have been having is trying to decide which balls I need to put away and which I should play safe.  There are times in a match where the ball needs to be put away.  Sean, I believe you said it best.  If I remember correctly, you said in a game a player should kill ball about 3 times on average.  The rest of the time they should be playing safe.  You also said that a player should have one or 2 points where they are scramling for the point.

What I have changed, that I don't see Most US player doing, is when I attack strong and the ball is returned, I usually play for placement and I don't attack the next ball as strong.  I need to extend the rallies longer but, at the same time, I need to finish the point when the chance is there.

I think its best to attack strong when you can, however if the ball is returned, don't go mental and try and kill.  Also I think its good that your power should never be more than 80% unless your 100% in position and you have an easy ball to attack.

http://forums.about.com/ab-tabletennis/messages?msg=17086.5

Han seems to be playing a ittle bit too tight.  Also alot of risk.  I think he needs to relax a bit more.  He should be taking so many chances.

http://forums.about.com/ab-tabletennis/messages?msg=17086.6

In modern table tennis, the better player often serves medium long to open up the point. I know I do it a lot against 2200-2300 players. You serve it long so they can open, but not too strong. Then you counter attack or block them out of position. Sometimes it is easier to do this, as they are expecting a short serve. Also, you should not be afraid of letting a weaker player attack your serve if you are waiting to block.

-Khaleel

http://forums.about.com/ab-tabletennis/messages?msg=17086.11

Las Vegas is also a very tricky place to play. I can serve short whenever I want, but I had trouble keeping my serves short in Las Vegas. The ball tends to float a lot over there.

-Khaleel

http://forums.about.com/ab-tabletennis/messages?msg=17086.15