training serves forehand backhand

Just got back from my third round of table tennis "training" for the up coming Pattaya Super Cup tournament. Got to play Yot, Ed and a new guy; I think his name is Noom. Noom caused me trouble as he had some pretty spinny serves that I was looping off the end of the table and he could block my loops and could also loop a bit himself. Tonight, however, I felt I was my own worse enemy, missing decisive shots I should have won games with against Noom in particular. He took a few games off me and I think I took a couple of him.

My serves were fine, my backhand was sloppier and my forehand just shooting long too often. It is o.k. though as I believe this time not to be cautious but just go for my shots to get a real feel for the parameters of the rubbers. I lost because I missed not because I was out played.

I blame a lot on the state of my mind and body.

Table tennis tip: don't eat a hamburger and chips 30 minutes before play and also get a good nights sleep the night before!

Apart from that I think my style of play was wrong stepping back way to often when really I should be trying to hog the table especially with Chinese rubber that doesn't reloop well. It plays well at the top of the bounce and not a dropping ball at all.

All in all a great session. We play 7-9 here in Pattaya Fairtex which is probably the coolest time of the day to play and suits any workers in the group.

The video below is actually of the fourth session on Friday evening, it shows all the 3 new guys I play and my Fiancée who I call my ball girl. The video is not really of me since I am far off in the background playing, and even dropped the table as I was pushing it to make more even space behind each end.

I look forward to next Tuesday's session same time same place.