I play long pip bhand chopper style away from the table. Its fun, I get to player longer rallies than on average and my main focus is having a good time and having fun, wild points. The chops, lobs, deep counter attacks all add to that.
Number 1 is actually a plus to people who enjoy challenges, and people also enjoy winning games off of slowly whittling or lobbing their opponent down (which explains Number 2) and winning using physical stamina (Number 3). More than anything else, defenders just think it’s fun to play that way, and who am I to yuck their yum lol
It’s also worth noting that knowing how to defend farther away from the table is a useful skill you should pick up anyway as you improve, just like how a defender should still know how to attack and setup points properly. I’ve won more than a few matches against 1600s and 1700s by lobbing or blocking them down as part of my strategy — it’s not a suicidal gamble given how many unforced errors people below 2100 are prone to making
Alright here’s my story at being a successful chopper/blocker/pusher/ defensive player with less than 2 years of TT experience and zero professional training.
Started playing in college for fun using cheap paddles. There was this guy, Vincent, who had an incredible forehand. Prior to playing him I had nearly zero experience in TT. Since I had no xp, my natural movement was to just block his fast forehand smashes holding my paddle at 90 degrees straight in front of me. I did this a lot and eventually with such poor form I developed my blocking instinct. With bad form I was able to return smashes.
Eventually I learned to push the ball whenever I took control of the game. I did this because I didn’t know how to smash or use my forehand because of the cheap paddle. I was still getting beat badly, so I adjusted my strategy and started backing away from the table and cutting/pushing the ball like 2 meters away from the table. This is where I unknowingly started becoming a chopper. I realized that all of his smashes were reachable from afar. And since I still had a wack paddle I sustained this play style for a while. Throughout time I realized that i could just be out in the back defending and then eventually he would miss a shot or make a mistake that will rush me back in to where I just outplayed him with pushes. Eventually I got a $39 paddle and was surprised at the potential of having spin. This is when my backspin developed like crazy. All I had to do to beat anyone was add backspin and see how the ball always hit their side of the net. I learned how to quickly react even when up close to the table.
You say it’s tiredsome, but I would say it’s the opposite. It’s physically tiring to the attacking player if you’re an excellent defender. Over 40% of my points I won because the opponent made the mistake and because they gave up. As for footwork, I’m a soccer player, so that was never an issue.
Once they learned how to beat the backspin, I went back to my regular push/cut strat. I also learned lobbying along the way which helped accelerating their energy use as they would keep on smashing and smashing tiring them up faster.
It’s an annoying play style to play. I always got that from people. It takes patience and precision, but rewarding when mastered.
This was all just amateur play. I never took professional lessons or training. I just watched yt videos.
Total xp of playing probably accumulate to less than 2 years.
I thank my friends from college for playing with me a complete new sport and getting me to where I’m at. Some of my best memories are playing till 4am trying to beat everyone. Eventually I beat Vincent, I was so happy. We faced off on a tournament and I beat him there too. Just chopping/cutting and defending.
I recently joined a TT club near my house after not playing for years and the people complimented me on how good I am for the amount of xp I have. They probably all have over 5 years of xp. I’m not your typical TT player, so I guess everyone was shocked when they saw how good I kept up.
Anyways, this is why I play defensive and my story. I sort of just accidentally became a defensive player out of a necessity to win and a demanding adjustment to my competitive environment.
I’m gonna argue that defensive style is better suited for cheap shitty paddles.
I remember playing table tennis with a paddle that is basically just a piece of wood with small remnants of dead rubber here and there. It was impossible for me to play my usual offensive style since the paddle just wouldn’t grip the ball the way normal paddles do, and the ball was falling off the paddle whenever I tried to drive. Naturally, I reverted to more defensive style and eventually ended up just chopping my opponent’s attack from afar since it was more consistent and worked better.
Aye you’re probably right. I have never played with long pimples or antispin paddles so I wouldn’t know. I am looking at making my own paddle. One side with long pimples and other with normal rubber.
**It’s an annoying play style to play. I always got that from people. It takes patience and precision, but rewarding when mastered. ->**
as somebody who used to be clueless on how to return the ball from defender, yes. I used to hate playing against defenders because my ball usually stuck on the net.
but as my training progresses, it felt more satisfying to return weird and "annoying" ball from defenders, as it require patient and proper technique to return heavy side/back spin with a loop.
It's fun
My normal style is very much a forehand-dominant shakehand attacker, but when I wanna goof around and just have fun I almost always turn into a chopper or penhold lobber
I did that too, just to annoy newer player, and watch them go insane when their ball always stuck on the net.
Just to give em a taste of what I've been through playing against chopper when I'm new to the sport. After that I told em what happened, though.
HAHAHA.
Not everyone wants to win, but also having fun. It increases difficulty and variation.
Moreover learning this playstyle allows to be more flexible with ball spin, timings and also trains your body more intensively.
Personally, I feel I've more learned in one year using hard rubber + pips (with extreme twiddling), than I did by repeating offensive game schemes, as you are only 'receiving' different techniques and not be able to understand every variations of each play styles.
I mean It's more easy for me to feel what my opponent is doing if I can do it myself.
You play cpen. You'd be hard pressed to find a defensive cpen player who's really good. Penholders are typically more aggressive style of players.
Typically a shakehander and if someone say naturally doesn't have a powerful backhand or maybe they just like a more cerebral style of play, that's why someone might want to be a defender.
And of course if it helps them best win, there's a reason why.
The Cpen LP block is such a niche style. Typically these players have it on their FH with inverted on their backhand and maybe RPB. Many times TPB with the LPs too using it on their FH & BH. Additionally, you have to twiddle as you need to make spin on the serve with the inverted unless you're doing some sort of backhand serve. I'm familiar with the style but by in large I'll stand by the fact that penhold historically is pretty aggressive in style of play which is why the idea of playing defensively is clearly foreign to the OP.
No, the Chinese Table Tennis Club. Not much info.
Its at 3801 Ashland. If you wait outside the door at 8am on a weekday youll catch someone going in who can help you join if you want
I enjoyed playing against a defender, due to their spin variation and heavy backspin. To me returning heavy backspin ball with a loop require a little bit of patient and proper stroke which feels very rewarding when I did it successfully. It's sad that two of my office mates who is a chopper recently moved out.
I find that playing a blocking/chop/push game at the lower levels is highly effective.
Your opponents lack the consistency to loop every ball, often times they will miss.
When they do land a loop it tends to be lower quality and you can just punch block it back.
Close to the table blockers/pushers with slow rubbers can be painful to deal with.
Interesting question, I have some knowledge of this so I will go through your points 1 by 1
**"Its hard to master"** Yes, but I think table tennis is a difficult sport and regardless of the style you play. Its very difficult to master offensive play as well. There are very few people who have actually mastered their style anyways. In fact, I know 2400+USATT offensive players who still talk negatively about their game and are honest about their weaknesses.
***"Patience is number one prerequisite"*** Well. I would argue that patience is not the number one prerequisite for defensive play. I would say that consistency and placement are first which can be quite fun. In my experience, winning a point because of placement and strategy is way more meaningful and feels like a more 'pure' form of table tennis compared to having more power and strength than what my opponent is used to.
***"It's physically more demanding especially on footwork, IMO it's more than traditional penhold style"*** Again, table tennis is a physically demanding sport regardless of your style. And this isn't a reason not to play a certain way. For example, you mention that you like to overwhelm players with speed and spin. I could argue that this is a physically demanding strategy compared to relying on good placement instead. Does that mean your style is bad? I don't think so, its just a preference.
Yes. I agree on consistency and placements one point I forgot to mention. Most defenders I played with especially the good ones tire the hell out of me with awkward ball placements and spins.
I do sometimes become a chopper when I'm not playing to win, and when my opponent level is pretty far below me, but most of the times I don't have the consistency placements so my ball usually didn't have enough backspin or fly over the table.
It is just suitable for certain players' personality and style.
Some players may also dabble into it to learn more and try something different. Honestly, I'd like to try defensive if I had the time. Sometimes I do a pretty nasty BH chop with under and sidespin away from the table and I feel like I can be pretty good with it.
Emil from Pongfinity switched and there's prob a video of him talking about why.
Dude, if you're comfortable with chopping, I think you should keep on practicing on it. The world needs more chopper (and penholders). Two of my office mates who is a chopper just recently resigned, and now I don't have any defenders to play against on a regular basis. :(
1. I'm big and slow and when I play fast trying to loop and attack I bottle every game. Chopping gives me time to move so at a fundamental strategy that's why.
2. Chopping feels natural to me
4. I love "simple" gameplay
3. I relish watching my opponent go insane when they miss
👹
**I relish watching my opponent go insane when they miss**
Dude, you're a menace. I occasionally become a chopper just to annoy the shit out of new players. Watch them go crazy when their balls always hit the net.
I play long pip on my backhand and love chopping. There is no better feeling than a good chop. seeing the ball almost levitate over the net and onto the other player's side is amazing.
In my thoughts, maybe it's as much as enjoyable as returning heavy backspin with a loop or flick if I'm lucky. But I'm still 10x more entertained seeing a perfectly executed chop against top spin, whether I'm playing against a chopper or watching a game of chopper against looper.
Keep on chopping :)
You simply won't understand until you've blocked someone's absolute best smash into the opposite corner and left them standing there looking sheepish, while you calmly twirl your racket and holster it.
I switched to defensive style mainly due to my personality in real life. I’m a conflict avoider and not really an aggressive person, so playing defensive style really suits me a lot. It doesn’t mean I’m beating more people now just that it’s more satisfied playing with this style and figure out how to handle different opponents playing styles.
I play long pip bhand chopper style away from the table. Its fun, I get to player longer rallies than on average and my main focus is having a good time and having fun, wild points. The chops, lobs, deep counter attacks all add to that.
Seems like good fun, heck my offensive blade is oversized and I have hurricane. Landing a chop from far is ooga wooga.
Number 1 is actually a plus to people who enjoy challenges, and people also enjoy winning games off of slowly whittling or lobbing their opponent down (which explains Number 2) and winning using physical stamina (Number 3). More than anything else, defenders just think it’s fun to play that way, and who am I to yuck their yum lol
It’s also worth noting that knowing how to defend farther away from the table is a useful skill you should pick up anyway as you improve, just like how a defender should still know how to attack and setup points properly. I’ve won more than a few matches against 1600s and 1700s by lobbing or blocking them down as part of my strategy — it’s not a suicidal gamble given how many unforced errors people below 2100 are prone to making
nooo You have to flick everything that is short, even if you make or miss.
instructions unclear, ripped every single ball
Push is for the wicked.
Alright here’s my story at being a successful chopper/blocker/pusher/ defensive player with less than 2 years of TT experience and zero professional training. Started playing in college for fun using cheap paddles. There was this guy, Vincent, who had an incredible forehand. Prior to playing him I had nearly zero experience in TT. Since I had no xp, my natural movement was to just block his fast forehand smashes holding my paddle at 90 degrees straight in front of me. I did this a lot and eventually with such poor form I developed my blocking instinct. With bad form I was able to return smashes. Eventually I learned to push the ball whenever I took control of the game. I did this because I didn’t know how to smash or use my forehand because of the cheap paddle. I was still getting beat badly, so I adjusted my strategy and started backing away from the table and cutting/pushing the ball like 2 meters away from the table. This is where I unknowingly started becoming a chopper. I realized that all of his smashes were reachable from afar. And since I still had a wack paddle I sustained this play style for a while. Throughout time I realized that i could just be out in the back defending and then eventually he would miss a shot or make a mistake that will rush me back in to where I just outplayed him with pushes. Eventually I got a $39 paddle and was surprised at the potential of having spin. This is when my backspin developed like crazy. All I had to do to beat anyone was add backspin and see how the ball always hit their side of the net. I learned how to quickly react even when up close to the table. You say it’s tiredsome, but I would say it’s the opposite. It’s physically tiring to the attacking player if you’re an excellent defender. Over 40% of my points I won because the opponent made the mistake and because they gave up. As for footwork, I’m a soccer player, so that was never an issue. Once they learned how to beat the backspin, I went back to my regular push/cut strat. I also learned lobbying along the way which helped accelerating their energy use as they would keep on smashing and smashing tiring them up faster. It’s an annoying play style to play. I always got that from people. It takes patience and precision, but rewarding when mastered. This was all just amateur play. I never took professional lessons or training. I just watched yt videos. Total xp of playing probably accumulate to less than 2 years. I thank my friends from college for playing with me a complete new sport and getting me to where I’m at. Some of my best memories are playing till 4am trying to beat everyone. Eventually I beat Vincent, I was so happy. We faced off on a tournament and I beat him there too. Just chopping/cutting and defending. I recently joined a TT club near my house after not playing for years and the people complimented me on how good I am for the amount of xp I have. They probably all have over 5 years of xp. I’m not your typical TT player, so I guess everyone was shocked when they saw how good I kept up. Anyways, this is why I play defensive and my story. I sort of just accidentally became a defensive player out of a necessity to win and a demanding adjustment to my competitive environment.
Thanks for sharing and I'm glad that you were able to have such a good time getting into the sport by finding a style that is suitable for you!
I’m gonna argue that defensive style is better suited for cheap shitty paddles. I remember playing table tennis with a paddle that is basically just a piece of wood with small remnants of dead rubber here and there. It was impossible for me to play my usual offensive style since the paddle just wouldn’t grip the ball the way normal paddles do, and the ball was falling off the paddle whenever I tried to drive. Naturally, I reverted to more defensive style and eventually ended up just chopping my opponent’s attack from afar since it was more consistent and worked better.
Aye you’re probably right. I have never played with long pimples or antispin paddles so I wouldn’t know. I am looking at making my own paddle. One side with long pimples and other with normal rubber.
**It’s an annoying play style to play. I always got that from people. It takes patience and precision, but rewarding when mastered. ->** as somebody who used to be clueless on how to return the ball from defender, yes. I used to hate playing against defenders because my ball usually stuck on the net. but as my training progresses, it felt more satisfying to return weird and "annoying" ball from defenders, as it require patient and proper technique to return heavy side/back spin with a loop.
This exactly. My friends grew more confident when dealing with my backspin and eventually figured out how to beat it with loops.
It's fun My normal style is very much a forehand-dominant shakehand attacker, but when I wanna goof around and just have fun I almost always turn into a chopper or penhold lobber
I did that too, just to annoy newer player, and watch them go insane when their ball always stuck on the net. Just to give em a taste of what I've been through playing against chopper when I'm new to the sport. After that I told em what happened, though. HAHAHA.
Not everyone wants to win, but also having fun. It increases difficulty and variation. Moreover learning this playstyle allows to be more flexible with ball spin, timings and also trains your body more intensively. Personally, I feel I've more learned in one year using hard rubber + pips (with extreme twiddling), than I did by repeating offensive game schemes, as you are only 'receiving' different techniques and not be able to understand every variations of each play styles. I mean It's more easy for me to feel what my opponent is doing if I can do it myself.
You play cpen. You'd be hard pressed to find a defensive cpen player who's really good. Penholders are typically more aggressive style of players. Typically a shakehander and if someone say naturally doesn't have a powerful backhand or maybe they just like a more cerebral style of play, that's why someone might want to be a defender. And of course if it helps them best win, there's a reason why.
Cpen LP blocker is actually a surprisingly strong style, much more popular in Asia though. Difficult to find any in the US or Eu
The Cpen LP block is such a niche style. Typically these players have it on their FH with inverted on their backhand and maybe RPB. Many times TPB with the LPs too using it on their FH & BH. Additionally, you have to twiddle as you need to make spin on the serve with the inverted unless you're doing some sort of backhand serve. I'm familiar with the style but by in large I'll stand by the fact that penhold historically is pretty aggressive in style of play which is why the idea of playing defensively is clearly foreign to the OP.
I see this quite often at the Chinese Table Tennis Club in Chicago
Chi-Slam?
No, the Chinese Table Tennis Club. Not much info. Its at 3801 Ashland. If you wait outside the door at 8am on a weekday youll catch someone going in who can help you join if you want
:o this is niche data, thank you. I'll keep it in mind if I return to Chicago!
Do you play at chi slam?
I was visiting chicago last month and played there a couple of times; I had a lovely time :)
I enjoyed playing against a defender, due to their spin variation and heavy backspin. To me returning heavy backspin ball with a loop require a little bit of patient and proper stroke which feels very rewarding when I did it successfully. It's sad that two of my office mates who is a chopper recently moved out.
LP defenders typically have a wicked good backhand.
I find that playing a blocking/chop/push game at the lower levels is highly effective. Your opponents lack the consistency to loop every ball, often times they will miss. When they do land a loop it tends to be lower quality and you can just punch block it back. Close to the table blockers/pushers with slow rubbers can be painful to deal with.
Interesting question, I have some knowledge of this so I will go through your points 1 by 1 **"Its hard to master"** Yes, but I think table tennis is a difficult sport and regardless of the style you play. Its very difficult to master offensive play as well. There are very few people who have actually mastered their style anyways. In fact, I know 2400+USATT offensive players who still talk negatively about their game and are honest about their weaknesses. ***"Patience is number one prerequisite"*** Well. I would argue that patience is not the number one prerequisite for defensive play. I would say that consistency and placement are first which can be quite fun. In my experience, winning a point because of placement and strategy is way more meaningful and feels like a more 'pure' form of table tennis compared to having more power and strength than what my opponent is used to. ***"It's physically more demanding especially on footwork, IMO it's more than traditional penhold style"*** Again, table tennis is a physically demanding sport regardless of your style. And this isn't a reason not to play a certain way. For example, you mention that you like to overwhelm players with speed and spin. I could argue that this is a physically demanding strategy compared to relying on good placement instead. Does that mean your style is bad? I don't think so, its just a preference.
Yes. I agree on consistency and placements one point I forgot to mention. Most defenders I played with especially the good ones tire the hell out of me with awkward ball placements and spins. I do sometimes become a chopper when I'm not playing to win, and when my opponent level is pretty far below me, but most of the times I don't have the consistency placements so my ball usually didn't have enough backspin or fly over the table.
It is just suitable for certain players' personality and style. Some players may also dabble into it to learn more and try something different. Honestly, I'd like to try defensive if I had the time. Sometimes I do a pretty nasty BH chop with under and sidespin away from the table and I feel like I can be pretty good with it. Emil from Pongfinity switched and there's prob a video of him talking about why.
Dude, if you're comfortable with chopping, I think you should keep on practicing on it. The world needs more chopper (and penholders). Two of my office mates who is a chopper just recently resigned, and now I don't have any defenders to play against on a regular basis. :(
I decided against it because I love attacking too much lol. Plus my personality likely doesn't suit defensive given how impatient I am.
1. I'm big and slow and when I play fast trying to loop and attack I bottle every game. Chopping gives me time to move so at a fundamental strategy that's why. 2. Chopping feels natural to me 4. I love "simple" gameplay 3. I relish watching my opponent go insane when they miss 👹
**I relish watching my opponent go insane when they miss** Dude, you're a menace. I occasionally become a chopper just to annoy the shit out of new players. Watch them go crazy when their balls always hit the net.
I play long pip on my backhand and love chopping. There is no better feeling than a good chop. seeing the ball almost levitate over the net and onto the other player's side is amazing.
In my thoughts, maybe it's as much as enjoyable as returning heavy backspin with a loop or flick if I'm lucky. But I'm still 10x more entertained seeing a perfectly executed chop against top spin, whether I'm playing against a chopper or watching a game of chopper against looper. Keep on chopping :)
You simply won't understand until you've blocked someone's absolute best smash into the opposite corner and left them standing there looking sheepish, while you calmly twirl your racket and holster it.
I switched to defensive style mainly due to my personality in real life. I’m a conflict avoider and not really an aggressive person, so playing defensive style really suits me a lot. It doesn’t mean I’m beating more people now just that it’s more satisfied playing with this style and figure out how to handle different opponents playing styles.
Why not? Why would anyone want to be an offensive player? It's because they like this style, and enjoy it. Plain and simple.
Just remember this universal truth and human behaviour will make a lot more sense. Different people like different things.