footwork and positioning

footwork HAS to be practised repeatedly to get it into your brain. Otherwise you'll be very very slow. I'm overly slow on my footwork now. But even after 1.5 weeks of not playing, it's considered ok already lar i think. Ok now I have most of the 主动权, meaning i get the first loop but it's kinda useless without an overpowering forehand loop(must get used to producing lots and lots of power!) and some strategies. Eca doesn't really have the space for me to swing big shots in, but actually the problem is practice in positioning. I should always position the loops to the extreme forehand, extreme backhand, or the crossover point. If the person is moving, then place it to the opposite direction. The placing should be helped by additional sidespin. Ability to curve the ball side-ways in both directions should be quite handy.

I need some well thought out plans to win points when I have the initiative. Like waldner. He always has a plan to throw his opponent off balance.

How to reduce energy block
Basically when blocking move your bat sideways, "wiping" the ball to basically kill all the spin. Easier to do on the backhand than the forehand. Look at this video for some tips.

Also notice how Waldner moves his opponent around every single shot, it's just genius.

The ball tends to end up short unless you add energy to it. And the sidespin can often create wide angles which are unreachable by the opponent. I need to incorporate it into my strategies.

Some thought out plans
1)wiping loop to the right to tempt the opponent to use his forehand on his backhand side, then a sidespin block to the extreme left.

2)sidespin loop to the left, creating a wide angle then blocking to the right.

3)For all opponents who use backhand too much, direct balls to extreme backhand side. For those who use forehand too much, direct balls to extreme forehand. Make them reach for the balls!

I solved the centre of gravity problem already. At the ready position you should be ready to spring for your forehand gap, either forward or sideways. This has to be trained as well. When dealing with short balls, the best solution is still to jump forward, then push backwards from after the stroke. My chiquita flips and my forehand flips are back in full motion. yesh! My dropshots are still very bad. I still have no idea how to dropshot a no-spin ball/top spin. I can chop it but it always ends long. meanwhile, my dropshots of downspin balls tend to go into the net. Can't really control them. Must improve more in this area!

And the serve receive/after serve position should be about 60% to 70% forehand, 30% to 40% backhand for me, since I like backhands! At this position, it's very easy to execute chiquita flips and powerful backhand loops without getting caught easily. Only problem is the forehand side is a bit unprotected. I need to have the instinct to jump for it!

And i discovered some weaknesses of the RPB(reverse penhold backhand). I think it's a bit slower in switching from forehand to backhand. Which is why Wang Hao usually stands a bit further from the table when in rallies compared to most other people.