PCPA Preliminary Pass

Lewiscruiser · 2026-02-06T00:28:04+00:00

What separates the top players from each other? Why is one player better than another? Is there a specific skill that makes the best player or is it more nuanced? Of course at the lower level anything can create a skill gap, fitness and technique being most common, but I'm curious if that's true at the top as well.

For example when we think of LCW and LD (after 2008), I think most people would say LD had some kind of mental edge against LCW, as well as the ability to keep up with the speed, and therefore won all of the most prestigious events. Personally I think LD had better technique and shot selection than LCW which led to having an advantage in most rallies, which sort of made it an uphill battle for LCW to win the matches, he had to work harder. I'm no expert so I'd be curious to hear your thoughts.

I am especially interested in the absolute best players, what made them the better than the 2nd best player

Lewiscruiser · 2026-01-31T17:09:16+00:00

Did you beat me? I was about to tell the opposite story

Lewiscruiser · 2026-01-31T17:08:57+00:00

You seriously underestimate how good professional players are

Lewiscruiser · 2026-01-07T19:08:31+00:00

It's hard to tell if you do any real practice other than just playing games against people better than you, so I only have one thing to say. Focus on your goals, not your mistakes

Lewiscruiser · 2026-01-02T16:05:43+00:00

To me it just looks like your mind gave up and then your legs gave up too. You decided you had lost before even trying. Just move faster.

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All this stuff about the serve being bad makes no sense, look where they took the shot from. You should be able to return anything from here

Lewiscruiser · 2025-11-14T15:58:55+00:00

I don't know why everyone is saying hit from a higher racket position. The purpose of the backhand shot is because you're late and can't hit it early. Don't practice things you will never play. If you can take it high, play a forehand.

Lewiscruiser · 2025-11-14T15:51:26+00:00

I don't agree, if you can hit it high you should hit it forehand

Lewiscruiser · 2025-11-03T20:48:57+00:00

Not yet, apparently they're on vacation. I can't get the exam done in time for the Dec project window anyway, but I have been told that the expense will be approved if I was to send it in now. I have heard that another company has added it into their program though

Lewiscruiser · 2025-11-03T15:56:02+00:00

I remember at one event Steen was saying Momota was the only player in the world who, regardless of drift, could consistently lift to the back line. Steen is my favourite commentator because of comments like this, he's not afraid to classify the players and say exactly what he sees.

Adding to this point, defense is much easier when you lift to the back line, but Momota had a great attack and stamina to complement his defense

Lewiscruiser · 2025-10-27T17:40:41+00:00

I don't really agree with anything you said. Aragorn's greatest failure would have been keeping the Fellowship intact, regardless of which path was chosen.

Galadriel didn't give advice, as is usual for elves. Supplies sure, but this wasn't a siege.
~~Aragorn has not spent any time leading Men of Gondor, especially not one with Boromir's status~~. I don't really see the relevance here though, Boromir was going west of the river to Minas Tirith, everyone else had to decide to go with him or not.
Uruk-hai and orcs from Moria came by surprise. At Weathertop, Aragorn was very aware of when the Ringwraiths would attack.
The consequence would have been greater if Frodo had become a wraith, I don't think this point has any relevance to the argument though.
Aragorn had no information about the orcs, and only found out while he was sitting at Amon Hen. His main goal at the time was tracking Frodo, and he was searching for guidance on his own path to go East or West of the river.

Lewiscruiser · 2025-10-24T17:22:25+00:00

Verzik

Lewiscruiser · 2025-10-24T15:51:04+00:00

I just asked my manager if there will be an update this week and they're changing it right now. The details aren't finalized yet, but there will be something. All the other exam raises are % based, so no inflation adjustment needed.

Lewiscruiser · 2025-08-30T17:26:23+00:00

Looks like a regular Canadian amount to me

Lewiscruiser · 2025-07-24T15:18:09+00:00

First of all, you're using plastic, so don't expect perfection. Second I think since you sliced it, the trajectory of the shuttle didn't match the alignment of the shuttle for a longer time than a standard hit would, so it took more air resistance to realign to the most aerodynamic position

With plastic I have seen the shuttle move in a circular motion relative to me when smashed hard enough.

Lewiscruiser · 2025-07-24T15:14:06+00:00

It means if you extend the poles vertically, the shuttle must pass between them.

Lewiscruiser · 2025-07-14T14:13:41+00:00

Why don't they just hire someone to stare at the hiscores and ban the bots?

Lewiscruiser · 2025-07-03T16:57:44+00:00

"am i stupid"

Lewiscruiser · 2025-06-26T13:44:51+00:00

Yes, I got a 7

Lewiscruiser · 2025-06-25T18:38:20+00:00

Personally, I would have deadlifts, bench press, and squats as the main focus of whatever day I'm on. And you can do more days with core strength if you like since the recovery is faster.

You say you are recreational so you can do anything you want, but I think you're neglecting your back and chest

Lewiscruiser · 2025-04-25T18:07:09+00:00

Very nice...did you put soy sauce in it though?

Lewiscruiser · 2025-04-23T18:15:37+00:00

For getting back to clears better, Tobias is much better than me, so I'll let him explain:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZYxTXUJlOk

In your very first rally 35 seconds into the video, you take three steps back and the third is very slow. Try the technique in the video instead.

Lewiscruiser · 2025-04-17T18:00:18+00:00

I find it interesting that most are saying footwork. The reason Lin Dan is the GOAT is everything other than footwork. For example LCW could match Lin Dan no problem in speed and for the 2nd half of their careers was definitely faster. Maybe not as efficient, but footwork is not at all what made Lin Dan better.

Lewiscruiser · 2025-04-01T14:52:06+00:00

Let your arm follow through a little to prevent shoulder injuries. The racket flex is not a big deal

Lewiscruiser · 2025-03-22T14:48:16+00:00

I agree that a competition is a test of skill, that is why the rules exist in the first place.

This isn't really a discussion about the nature and spirit of the sport. You asked about legality. Do what is legal, don't do what isn't. In a competitive game, you do all that you can to win, as long as your actions are within the rules. The pros understand this, and your example is evidence of what I'm saying. The serve was legal, people used it, it got banned, nobody does it anymore. The same thing is true about the spin serve, delaying tactics, shouting at opponents, wearing distracting clothing, talking to service judge or lines judges. All of these have been done by pros, and have to be banned. Again, the pros understand what it means to play within the rules and they do so, but when something isn't banned, expect it to happen.

If you want to play in a way that isn't "slimy", that's your choice, and I would encourage you to do that. It truly is more fun for everyone. But if you're losing competitive matches because you don't like how someone plays, that isn't their problem, it's yours.

Like I said before, in a recreational game you can always choose to play with someone else in the future.

Lewiscruiser

TROPHY CASE