September 19, 2017

Backhand Topspins
Last Thursday I blogged about Teaching the Topspinny Backhand, and teaching it to an 8-year-old girl. I’d held back with her and others on this because I didn’t want to mess them up just before our “Talent” program trials. But now that they are over, we’re going backhand topspin crazy – and it’s great!

On Sunday I coached Todd, age 12, on topspinning his backhand. Before that he had a decent backhand loop against backspin, but mostly hit his backhand in rallies. Within minutes of trying it out he was playing backhand topspins like a pro, at least in rote drills where he knew where the ball was going. It’ll take time to incorporate this successfully more random drills and in matches – but on the other hand, I told him it would take time to incorporate the shot into drills, and that time turned out to be minutes.

Maybe I should just tell everyone to copy Ma Long, tell them it’ll take them time to incorporate his shots, and watch them all play like Ma Long in minutes.

To me, the biggest change in the game since I started out in 1976 has been backhand play. Back then most players either hit their backhand or they backed up and topspinned, and I’m comfortable playing against either style. Now they’re staying right up to the table and topspinning. It’s not fair - there should be a rule that you have to choose!  

Coaching This Particular Grip
Here’s the video (3:03) from Samson Dubina as Bowen Chen demonstrates and explains his penhold grip, which allows for a powerful forehand and a reverse penhold backhand. “One of the most difficult things for young kids to learn with modern penhold is the grip pressure. It is significantly more difficult than shakehands. My friend Chen Bowen gives a brief explanation of his grip. Even if you don't play RPB style, I think that you will find this video interesting and informative.”

The Truth about Chinese Rubbers/Ma Long Forehand Rubber
Here’s the article and video (6:45) from EmRatThich.

The Master of Ball Placement - Jan-Ove Waldner
Here’s the video (4:39)

National Collegiate Table Tennis September Newsletter
Here’s the new edition. Note the first article, “NCTTA Coaching Certification - A Success.”

Immense Battle - Silver for Wu, Top Honors for Adriana Diaz at 2017 PanAm Champs
Here’s the article by Matt Hetherington.

Lin Gaoyuan Lays Ghost to Rest, Now a Winner
Here’s the ITTF article on Lin winning Men’s Singles at the Asian Cup.

Romania Returns to the Top After 12 Year Wait, Gold Medal Finish Secured
Here’s the ITTF article on Germany winning Women’s Teams at the European Championships.

Trophy Belongs to Germany, Four Year Wait Finally Over
Here’s the ITTF article on Germany winning Men’s Teams at the European Championships.

World Table Tennis Wrap-up
Here’s the ITTF article. “It's been a huge week of table tennis, with continental kings and queens being crowned. Checkout the world table tennis wrap-up to find out what went down on the courts around the globe.”

2017 Butterfly Badger Open Final Highlights - Eugene Wang vs Jishan Liang
Here’s the video (6:58).

Lin Gaoyuan and Fan Zhendong in the Asian Cup 2017
Here’s the video (10:06, time between points removed, English commentary).

Xu Xin “The Show Man”
Here’s the video (57 sec) showing four great points.

Fegerl-Karlsson Exhibition
Here’s the video (3:37) from one year ago. Pretty funny routines!

Evolution Pong
Here’s the cartoon!

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