Random Thoughts on the World Cup

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   The rallies are definitely longer.
The initial speed of the ball doesn't appear to be significantly slower.
The catapult speed after the ball hits the table is noticeably slower. 
It seems that spin is more affected than speed. The catapult effect after the ball hits the table is usually a result of the spin. 

I get the impression that a pips out blocker/counter hitter could be very effective again. Watching a below average blocker like Boll (for his level), block 5-6 Ma Long forehand topspins would have been unthinkable in the glue era. 

The players seem like they are less likely to move back far from the table. It seemed more like tennis than table tennis, where there was a certain point about 4-6 feet from the table where almost anything could be returned like a baseline rally. 

The third ball attack was less devastating, but it was still too prominent. 

Overall I actually really liked what I saw. Fewer mistakes and longer rallies. Now I know that this will probably change when the Chinese or someone else invents a rubber or finds a combination that will kill the rally phase, but point hasn't been reached yet.

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easyfiji Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Super Member Joined: 09/21/2005 Status: Offline Points: 234	Post Options Post Reply Quote easyfiji Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Random Thoughts on the World Cup Posted: 10/01/2008 at 1:23am
	The rallies are definitely longer. The initial speed of the ball doesn't appear to be significantly slower. The catapult speed after the ball hits the table is noticeably slower. It seems that spin is more affected than speed. The catapult effect after the ball hits the table is usually a result of the spin. I get the impression that a pips out blocker/counter hitter could be very effective again. Watching a below average blocker like Boll (for his level), block 5-6 Ma Long forehand topspins would have been unthinkable in the glue era. The players seem like they are less likely to move back far from the table. It seemed more like tennis than table tennis, where there was a certain point about 4-6 feet from the table where almost anything could be returned like a baseline rally. The third ball attack was less devastating, but it was still too prominent. Overall I actually really liked what I saw. Fewer mistakes and longer rallies. Now I know that this will probably change when the Chinese or someone else invents a rubber or finds a combination that will kill the rally phase, but point hasn't been reached yet.

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