Bath's Best vs Mark T - Bath Premier Table Tennis

[@mikebrady-o3c]

Thanks for posting this. I'm finding that now the KZbin algorithm has worked out that not only do I like / play table tennis, but also my approximate level (London Div 3 on a good day / Div 4 on another day), I'm getting a lot more clubs level table tennis videos. Which is great, and actually very helpful: a lot easier to work out what is going on in these kind of videos, and a lot more applicable to me, than watching Ma Long! Anyway, one thing strikes me: I'm seeing lots of back hand serves from the forehand side of the table (on this and other videos); not sure many people (if at all) do this at my club; what's up with it - feels like a long way to go post serve to get in receiving position. But quite possible I'm missing something. Thanks again - and good match, by the way.

[@marktannertt]

Great comment and thanks for taking the time to write it and watch the videos ✌️🏓 I personally serve longer to the forehand and try to put a side spin on the ball. That way I can predict how the player is going to put it back. Vs Jack I know his game quite well as we train together in Bristol (he's in the top team, I'm in the not so top team), so I know I can win points on letting him try and curl it to my back hand corner (and hopefully misses it). Most likely though the player will hopefully play a top spin shot back to my forehand. I'm working on footwork and anticipation close to the table, but by serving square on, then bringing my right foot back then I can be ready for a forehand return. In theory it sounds good but to execute it - well there lies the problem!! I'll keep trying! On the whole I step back nearly all of the time ready to defend as that's by default but at this better level of play it's been my downfall! Thanks again for the comment and support - what is your advice on service?

[@mikebrady-o3c]

@@marktannertt Not sure I'm equipped to offer you (or any one else) advice on serves TBH! That said, for what it's worth, I play short pips both sides so my game is all about generating an open game as quickly as possible. So, I serve long to the backhand (from both sides) mixing backspin, topspin & side spin. But I also think in terms of serving sequences - getting my opponent into a rhythm of where the ball is going and then disrupting that rhythm. So, serves 1 & 2 may be long from my back-hand to their back-hand, followed by serve 3, also long from b/h to b/h, then serve 4 will be very short to forehand from my b/h, with side spin taking the ball away from the table. Same options possible from f/h to b/h.

[@marktannertt]

@@mikebrady-o3c great thought process! Really interesting to find out how others play. Best of luck with any remaining games this season! ✌️🏓

[@mtahir68]

its a lovely setting . beautiful tables. space might be a bit less for defense

[@marktannertt]

Ah yeah you can't defend too much in there. It's certainly not the worst venue I've played in. However you need to play the teammates in the room Vs The Invaders, they try and put you off all of the time! Jack has gotten better this season too, absolutely ripping up the Bristol Prem with a new faster bat. I played him in practice the other night and just wow!!

[@zelandakhniteblade5436]

I wouldn't even be able to play in that room set-up. It's completely ridiculous!

[@marktannertt]

You can step back about 3 paces, not too bad, played in worse. Or are you talking about the noise? You aren't only playing against the player against the Invaders but the whole damn club, they try and get into your head 🗣️😅

[@zelandakhniteblade5436]

@@marktannertt I'm a defensive player, so I literally do not have enough space to play my game in that room.

[@marktannertt]

@@zelandakhniteblade5436 ah fair play. There are a few venues like this in Bath. Yatton and Chippenham are the worst, far less room!