Table-tennis matches on Youtube
Sweetiele asked 5 years ago
iHi!
Can you please suggest some good matches to watch on Youtube specially for offensive players and the tactics being used in those matches?
In this match – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oiIso6Nhew
Liam Pitchford blocks Benedik Olah’s topspin very well off the bounce. Can you please tell me the technique that he uses? Additionally, can you please tell me the strategies each of the two players is using to win&a
Sweetiele answered 5 years ago
to win points*
DanHi Sweetiele,
Ideally I would say any player in the top 1000 in the world you can learn so much from, it doesnt just need to be pros. When your watching these matches focus on things such as:
– where the player recovers after each shot
– where the player plays his shots to (example, Liam is playing a lot into Benedik’s elbow and then to the angle with his backhand).
– where the player serves to
– watch how they return serves, are they pushing often, are they trying to flick and follow up strong
– another important thing to watch is there body language and mental approach to the game. Adopting a strong mental approach is key
Liam Pitchford takes the ball extremely early and has one of the best backhands in the world right now. When he takes it this early it gives Benedict very little time to recover and play a quality shot.
Benedik’s strategy is to not lose out in the short game, he needs to attack first and make Liam guess. When Liam knows what is coming he is super quick and becomes the dominant player in the rally. When Benedik is on the attack its a lot harder for Liam.
I like watching Ricardo Walther and Patrick Franziska, they play with a bit more time so you can analyse what they are doing. Try to watch players who play with the same style as yourself.
SweetieleThanks for the reply Dan!
In the video link above, Liam Pitchford blocks the ball very well at 7:08 minutes. What technique does he use?
I agree that Liam Pitchford is an amazing player! His backhand is too good!
How do you think he is able to play so well off the bounce? Is it because he playes with a very relaxed and whippet arm and produces good acceleration?
Hi Sweetiele,
At 7.08 Liam does a very quick off the bounce backhand block. The key thing here is Liam reads the game so well and new his opponent would play to this corner of the table. He is so quick which means if he gets his bat behind the ball with a open bat face he has half a chance to return the ball. I also think Liam deliberately pushed long to his opponents middle and new he was going to block to the other side of the table after this.
How is he able to play off the bounce so well? I think its because he is super relaxed yes. This gives him amazing bat speed and acceleration. Also Liam since a young age has always been pretty fearless, I think this helps a lot. Strong confidence to play such high quality, early, off the bounce shots.
