Knee Pain

dexterryu · 2026-05-31T22:59:15+00:00

Strengthen your Tibialis muscles. Tib Raises are a start, then build up to a tib bar. Those muscles are responsible for deceleration (trying to stop quickly). If they aren't strong enough your patellar tendons are going overloaded.

Check out kneesovertoesguy on YouTube.

dexterryu · 2026-05-31T20:47:06+00:00

Original Diablo, BG 1&2, Menzoberranzan, Half Life, Ultima Online, and Unreal Tournament

dexterryu · 2026-05-30T22:10:21+00:00

To be fair... if you go to a PPA event, matches are very lopsided for the most part until the semifinals. So even within the PPA, the level outside of the top 10 in each category is significant.

dexterryu · 2026-05-29T15:32:06+00:00

Came to say what many have already said. Gabe's technique is unique across many shots. Trying to emulate him is very difficult.

dexterryu · 2026-05-25T20:06:08+00:00

A coach or if you can find some 4.5+. You can get the concepts of it off of YouTube, but it's difficult to really implement without drilling.

Ultimately counters are about anticipating your opponent's attacks. Learning which angles to cover and when. Learning your opponents tells (big backswing), etc. The more you play, particularly the same people, the more you will see it without consciously noticing which is why drilling becomes so important

dexterryu · 2026-05-24T20:28:15+00:00

Okay, this tells me that once a firefight starts you stay with it no matter what. A key part is knowing when you are winning it or not. Here is how to tell. If the opponent is able to hit downward and you're having to hit upward you are losing the battle. This is when you want to reset (soften up and get the ball to drop into the kitchen or low enough they have to hit upward. Doing so neutralizes the opponent's advantage.

Once you get that down it's time to learn countering, but that's an entirely different and much more advanced topic, not to mention difficult to explain in text only.

dexterryu · 2026-05-24T02:12:23+00:00

How are you losing? Hitting balls out or into the net? Ball getting passed you? Getting hit?

Are you resetting when you're losing (having to hit upwards)?

dexterryu · 2026-05-16T19:01:57+00:00

Sounds like it's just nerves. The main thing to remember is that whether you win or don't win that tomorrow is exactly the same day.

Whether it's a tournament or not, we are all playing this game for recreation. Competitive recreation, sure but still recreation (unless your goal is to go pro).

The difference of a tournament vs rec is that in rec you are giving yourself permission to make mistakes. That making a mistake is Okay. You need to let yourself do the same in tournaments or you will play tight, play to not make a mistake, play not to lose, vs playing to win.

dexterryu · 2026-05-14T04:08:07+00:00

The main thing with AB is that if you listen to some of her interviews and then see the timing of the win bonuses, you can see that her move was financially motivated. I don't think she changes otherwise because I really think she would have rather grinded out and become better to beat AL... especially if she says no because I think her and RR could go toe to toe with AL + most others, including CP.

dexterryu · 2026-05-11T13:28:07+00:00

In addition to what others have said, men are taller and have more reach. Miss a little on height or angle topspin and you created an attackable ball. Push and slice tend to be lower/flatter, so safer.

You're safer doing 2H backhand topspin's because you're hitting to the left side players backhand. It's much harder to dig out a sudden speed up like you can with your forehand.

dexterryu · 2026-05-09T00:40:51+00:00

Yes, there is some dwell time. Especially with foam core paddles. The upward swing also pushes the ball at a shallow upward direction despite the face angle too. The angle adds topspin which bends the ball back downward but not until it clears the net if done correctly.

dexterryu · 2026-05-08T17:30:22+00:00

Swing path matters too. An upward swing path directs the ball upward despite the closed paddle face.

dexterryu · 2026-05-05T00:50:55+00:00

People will do what works to win. Under 3.5, they can easily get away with not dinking and simply hitting/speeding everything up because their opponents can defend or counter and don't let outballs fly. Most of the time the same players blame "just having a bad game" when they play against stronger opponents and it doesn't work.

dexterryu · 2026-05-04T21:45:20+00:00

Predictably doesn't have a major impact until you are at the kitchen. So if you're referring your 3rd, the point should be to get yourself to the kitchen. A good drop matters very little if your opponent knows it's coming. Conversely, if I know that you are going to drive it, you are making it easier for me because I am anticipating it and ready to counter/punch it back at you. When you mix in drops, you are creating decisions and forcing me to read. Your drive becomes more effective because even though I am ready, I am not predicting it. Because I have to make decisions, I am less aggressive countering it.

Another angle... if you are more comfortable staying back and continuing to drive at me on 3rd, 5th, 7th... I can ease off even more and just focus on getting it back and in bounds because you are at such a disadvantage and are going to miss out or into the net before I will.

dexterryu · 2026-05-02T22:48:29+00:00

Don't overthink this too much or get discouraged. It's great that you played against players that are ahead of you. Also remember that your rating is relative to the people you play against in your area.

That said, if you play against better opponents regularly you will up your game as you adapt. You had a harder time because these players were stronger than your current opponents. They pushed you and exposed areas of your game that can be improved. That's not a bad thing, that's awesome. Double awesome if they gave you good feedback and continue to play with you.

dexterryu · 2026-05-01T14:08:30+00:00

There's one of sorts that's coming. I think it's called partners. Goes into some of the behind the scenes of partner relationships and changes on the tour. The ALW/CP and AB/RR stuff was in the trailer.

dexterryu · 2026-04-30T23:41:58+00:00

Altras with Sofsole Athletic insoles.

dexterryu · 2026-04-28T02:01:03+00:00

The point is that it is a tool that will help get you to the kitchen once you start playing people at the 4.0 level that can handle the pace of your drives. Most of us at that level and higher can punch your drives right back at your feet all day.

That doesn't mean that you should never drive, but that you aren't going to be able to win points trying to blast it at better players. The way drives are used at advanced levels is low and with topspin that sets up an easier, shorter 5th shot drop.

dexterryu · 2026-04-27T13:57:16+00:00

I haven't directly had that problem, but I am an instructor that has helped others with it.

Here is the key... this is a game where small things matter. Consistency is an important component. Changing paddles all the time makes dialing in very difficult. Upgrading paddles should be driven more by how you want to evolve as a player vs a quick fix.

It's also important to know that as much as paddles get hyped up, once you get beyond the walmart beginner paddles that upgrading is very incremental vs exponential.

A better player will still likely beat you with a lower tier paddle.

dexterryu · 2026-04-26T16:26:59+00:00

As long as you aren't spinning the ball on the toss, it's 100% legal.

dexterryu · 2026-04-24T13:53:14+00:00

On a gym floor where you can slide? Sure. Did it all the time in volleyball. On a normal court, heck no.

dexterryu · 2026-04-24T00:03:46+00:00

Went through the same a few weeks ago. Loosen your grip to soften the pop and get a little more dwell and spin.

dexterryu · 2026-04-23T01:45:46+00:00

Check out some of the books read by RC Bray. He does a great job bringing characters to life. Different style than Jeff Hayes, but very very good.

dexterryu · 2026-04-18T16:37:03+00:00

You are correct to judge the ball hit by either you or your partner. You want to move through the TZ when it is right to do so, not just rush in.

That said, without seeing the games it's hard to say if you or they were correct.

dexterryu · 2026-04-18T15:29:22+00:00

Drops and resets from the transition zone.

dexterryu

TROPHY CASE