Style preferences
Strategy
D K Asked 10 years ago
Hi PingSkills,
This weekend I played on a tournament and I faced a player from one team that is known for training the players to execute the even the extreme styles.
That player is purely taught to read the spin extremely well and then just hit it.
You said somewhere that is it difficult, but this is his way.
He uses the fastest bat he managed to get, and he smashed accurately even my shorter serves.
(And he still complains that his bat is too slow)
I tried to attack him, but he always ended it with one full-blood flat hit.
Never pushed,never looped,just hits
Do you have any idea how to play such a player or even how to defend against him?
Alois Rosario Answered 10 years ago
Hi DK,
Keeping the ball low with backspin is the key. If he could smash everything he would be world champion so there is a limit to his capabilities.
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When playing penhold players it is important to remember to first analyse your opponent as you would if they used any grip. What are their strengths and weaknesses? A common weakness of penhold players is their forehand block especially against a slow spinny topspin. Their backhand may be a weakness if they use the traditional style, or you may wish to explore the crossover point if they are using the reverse penhold backhand.
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D K Posted 10 years ago
Compared to me he is like a worldmaster.
He really smashed 95% of my balls,even my strongest backspin I was able to return.
Against the more powerful players,he does not play so mindlessly,his shots are weaker,more accurate and better placed.
But they are never brushed,he always uses flathits.
He is specially trained in what he does.
For example,his multiball training includes that his partner feeds him with backspins and he is trying to do a flathit attack into a low ball.
D K Posted 10 years ago
The same with the topspins
His usual sparring partner is a player who is specially trained in long range battling focused on the "wobbling balls",he is more focused on the spin and placement and ignores how high his balls are.
D K Posted 10 years ago
And if I can ask..what do you think about such extreme specializing?
I do not mean that they are training really purely these styles,but very mainly
It is obviously working for him.