the trouble with lessons

 

Every pro today had to start somewhere and was taught what was important in looping: Consistency or power. I think most common opinion today at the amateur level is that consistency is the most important thing to develop first. And when I say "consistency" I don't mean just being able to hit an opening loop and follow up loop well, I think both styles must have that stability present. I think of "consistency" as being able to hit your loop over and over again even when the pace changes or ball placement or trajectory moves. Of course that sounds great in theory, hit your loop anywhere anytime, but to make that happen you have to make your stroke small and quick so it can be started and ended in a very small window. To gain small and quick you trade off speed and spin. You get a style better suited to rallying and playing long points because you execute and recover quickly, and you don't make as powerful of shots so they are easier to block/counterloop. To work with the weaker loops and better rallying skills, you see an emphasis on unbalancing opponents in the set up and then very good quality placement in the european play. The chinese style often times, but not always, does not have as much of an emphasis on moving your opponent and trying to attack the created weak point, but rather getting the opponent to hit a loose ball in the opening shots and then "hitting through them". The most classic example of this is Ma Lin's trademark shot: 3rd ball attack, step around the BH corner and FH loop drive either down the line or crosscourt ( see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktmxD5J93DU 0:09, 0:32, 1:36, etc). If you watch him, he puts himself in a virtually unrecoverable position and if his shot gets blocked back, the whole table is open for the opponent to use. But the shot he hits is a monster, so fast and spinney that the majority of the time it doesn't come back and if does come back, he cannot make a strong shot on it because he hasn't recovered from his big swing yet. Ma long has this same problem close to the table. You'll see him do a big loop then have to block the return because he hasn't recovered in time, even through the return from the opponent is just a block (see  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS5zTTgZ03U 1:32 for example).

 

Anyways, a person's choice of in game tactics should be the driving force behind how they train and the techniques they choose to employ. I think it is callous to write off everyone below X level as being undeveloped beginners for whatever the subject is at the moment: what equipment to use, coaching, tactics, etc. Consistency is the key, consistency in executing the strokes and tactics you choose to make your game. As the rating goes up, the percentages of success and the quality of the shots goes up, but you already see the groundwork laid for styles and tactics way below 2200 USATT rating. You train today for the game tomorrow. You start developing footwork, strokes, mentality to work in conjunction with those tactics way below 2200, but they will not bear their full fruit until 2200+. So just because you see the best player in your club or area using a particular stroke or style, doesn't mean he has the best style or stroke for you. You have to find something that works with your individual needs as a player. Time investment, age, build, health, mentality, natural talents all play their part in deciding this.

 

Let's say you're learning to flip or fast loop or backhand loop or whatever.  And let's assume many of your shots don't stay on the table.  But if you don't keep trying, it will be extremely hard to develop an offensive game.  I don't really see anything wrong with encouraging someone to use the strokes he or she is trying to develop.  I mean, what is at stake except losing the game?  Why wouldn't the "beginner" try flipping shots even if he/she only succeeds 1/3 of the time?  Is this really such a horrible percentage for a beginner playing against a strong server serving short?  Isn't it better for the beginner to lose some matches early on if it will lead to better skill development?  Of course it's different if you're at the U.S. Open or something.  It's also different if spectators have paid good money to watch good matches.  But if it's a rather ordinary situation like Wednesday night club play, why so much annoyance over less advanced players trying to work on skills? 

 

Thanks.