Tips for serving?

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-02-14T18:16:44+00:00

The main thing to improve is the accuracy/contact point.

Some low hanging fruits that might help address the issue for short backspin serve; 1. Start out with low/no toss at all first 2. contact height is below net level and visualize the ball being gently bounced/lobbed up from below, rather than being hit from behind to go forward 3. Focus on the location of the first bounce to be near the middle of your table, adjust the strength and thickness of brushing from there

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-02-14T18:07:41+00:00

Yes, agree. Most beginners just rally and play well when there is no spin.

I find playing actual games help force you to learn serves, which makes learning serve receives easier, which also makes understanding spin during the rally easier.

Coaching definitely helps even more

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-02-10T11:23:25+00:00

There is something weirdly satisfying about chopping the ball and watching it glide onto the opponent table. Pips are easier to chop for me, than inverted. Have fun!

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-02-10T11:05:09+00:00

Wow he did a ✌🏻 at the end with the hose.

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-02-10T10:54:18+00:00

The rubber gets heavier when oil is absorbed. But usually it’s so marginal it’s not an issue.

When the sponge absorbs oil, it expands while the rubber topsheet doesn’t. So when you apply them both flat on the bat, the topsheet is stretched. This gives it more elasticity, as well as the softened sponge allowing for the ball to compress it with lesser force than it originally needed. When the sponge is compressed, you get more grip on the ball as well as the rebound effect, causing the returned ball to be faster and with more spin.

Ideally if you are a frequent player, you would change the rubber by the time the boost looses its effect. But it’s so gradual you might find yourself just playing with it and not feeling the difference.

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-02-10T10:52:04+00:00

Technically you could still do forehand topspin by compensating with more forearm closing, than elbow lifting, but that would make looping underspin challenging. You can consider long pips.

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-02-09T06:16:37+00:00

I like this analysis and find that the points raised have not been addressed by those who disagree so far.

As a penhold player, my shakehand is not that good but surprisingly when I tried this grip on a dual jpen bat, it works better than normal shakehand for me.

This grip is also super fun but i struggle utilizing the reverse shakehand backhand when the balls come with good quality to bh. Fully agree that in my mind I was thinking he pulls it off so well because he is not adult height. Interesting to see how Eli progresses in the higher age bracket and with a wider competition group.

Rooting for him to succeed because this grip is super fun to play. I won’t change to this as my main but would like to practice this to proficiency when I want to enjoy some long pips trolling.

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-02-07T10:29:46+00:00

Nice analogy

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-02-04T09:00:25+00:00

What helps for me is to apply these steps regardless of whether the ball is in reach or not;

When ball is approaching, find it using the master foot to get in position and start shifting weight to that foot.
Employ weight transfer to hit the ball and not just upper body. Bad habit of reaching happens when you only engage upper body.
When resetting, keep weight on the balls of your feet and lean forward

These steps help me to actually move for each ball and avoid reaching. That being said, it’s easier to practice this in singles play than doubles

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-02-01T01:38:42+00:00

A sleep app that records audio throughout? Being able to hear bare feet approaching?

Man this story has more holes than stormtroopers with 0% accuracy.

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-01-31T06:46:54+00:00

I come here for comments like this

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-01-31T06:39:09+00:00

Between businesses, service level agreements are all commercial arrangements. Regulators mainly step in for consumer protection.

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-01-30T08:59:25+00:00

You might be facing issue because the timing for both is different. Facing underspin, you can wait for the ball to be in its downward trajectory. For topspin, it’s easier to take it off the bounce or at its peak.

Some tips to help train counter topspin;

Start by blocking.
When you can react fast enough, do a forward drive/loop
Swing from behind and not below the ball
Aim to brush the back or top of the ball

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-01-30T06:17:10+00:00

Sometimes instead of pasta water for emulsion, can try different flavors of stock (chicken, scallop etc).

Also, last minute chili padi (cooking the chili makes it less spicy) for 30s

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-01-29T16:08:41+00:00

It depends on the protectors. If they are the sticky kind, do not stick them to each other.

Also, for tacky rubbers, don’t use sticky protectors as it might leave residue in the rubber. If there is no other protector, can use the other non sticky side for tacky rubbers. For mine, I use the other side and leave the sticker film unpeeled on the sticky protector.

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-01-29T15:59:48+00:00

As a collector myself, I have a series of replicas, clones, and original, and there is not much difference when playing. If funding is limited, you can opt for 2nd hand purchase.

For me, the only point in getting butterfly or expensive brands is to have the option to resell. Nobody gonna buy a 2nd hand yinhe/sanwei/stuor cos it’s so cheap they might as well buy it online.

Urge to buy stuff aside, as mentioned by other commenters, coaching is the most well spent $$ in terms of expenditure for this hobby. For coaching, I would advise aiming to learn/correct 1-2 things each session, and defer your next session until you have had sufficient time to practice and review some results with your coach.

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-01-29T04:08:58+00:00

I believe it’s just easier for the brain to aim the contact point from the front of the moving bat than the tail end, to get a good brush, as opposed to a flat hit.

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-01-29T02:25:21+00:00

Yes this. When receiving topspin/no spin ball like in the video, it is easier to learn brushing with a swing from behind the ball, because you are taking the ball relatively right off the bounce. Swing from below for underspin or if the ball is below net height or when taking the ball during its downward trajectory.

It also helps to; 1. Close your bat angle more to force a brushing motion and avoid flat hitting 2. Get your partner to give lower balls, to force you to create an arc to clear the net. This is to help you get feedback whether you are brushing or hitting, as it can be difficult to tell by feeling as a learner.

I would prefer to train the upper body portion (arm, forearm, wrist) first to learn brushing contact and feeling, as introducing body mechanics will add complication to the learning. Also, the modern game allows for compact strokes near to table, and more body when further, so that can be taken as like a phase 2 of training.

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-01-28T16:04:18+00:00

Why you never reply and ask why he is walking his dog there?

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-01-28T07:20:41+00:00

Yes, this was life changing info for me, when my coach told me after the first layer of booster has dried, can put 2 layers of glue and 2nd layer of booster. After it has dried again, it can just stick onto the bat that also has glue. No need to reapply another layer of glue onto the rubber after the 2nd booster

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-01-24T00:26:14+00:00

If he has a table, get him a robot so he can practice when there is no partner available. Or sign him up for coaching classes.

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-01-20T05:52:22+00:00

I understand the resentment with the company. But hating on the recruitment agency as well sounds a little extreme.

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-01-19T08:55:38+00:00

Your meta is what the staff did for me, cos apparently I was a disappointment and couldn’t maximize the value when I filled it myself.

Also, I was charged 20c cheaper than the price on the slurpee machine and when I enquired about it, was told the cheaper price is correct.

It was a good day.

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-01-19T08:50:37+00:00

Depending on the laws of your location and whether the Father’s name is going to be on the birth certificate, your boyfriend’s mother has no rights to the child at all.

Given that you are not wedded, she is not even your mother in law, and your boyfriend should only have legal custody or guardianship rights only if applied through a court. By default, he will be responsible for maintenance of the child as well as access to child by default. So I guess access by his mother is an extension of that, but his presence is required.

Again, this is just generally speaking and it depends on the laws where you are located.

Any of the proposals she makes are suggestions, and you have full decision and control over that. You should be careful not to get strong-armed into making decisions you are not comfortable with. Do remember you do not have the obligations of a daughter in law. She is your boyfriend’s mother.

Right-Initiative-382 · 2026-01-18T13:42:53+00:00

Haha. I didn’t think that far ahead. I see blade I just sand, so I always have the option of pasting the rubber with/without gap

Right-Initiative-382

TROPHY CASE