I am having a heck of a time playing with a couple long and short pips p_layer_s.

1) Long pips on one side and short pips on the other with sponge. What a challenge! Is Long Pips legal at tournaments? whimper whimper!



2) Short pips out/no sponge both sides. Hard bat _style_ with a lot of dead bounces, for some reason I can flat forehand them but throws off my timing for topspin and looping. mooo!

Any tips?

I dont know much but that has the advantage of meaning I can tell you everything I know.

In my experience, the p_layer_s using longpips are divided into two categories, those using them as a crutch (and playing poorly with them barely able to control them) and p_layer_s with advanced understanding and control of spin. The second type is a handful, and beyond my ability to defeat. I do know that if you can make the opponent return serve with the long pips, they find a fast, hard, no-spin serve difficult to deal with and you can third ball it.

Hardbat requires you to work harder because you cannot play off your opponents energy, you'll have to supply most of the spin and speed yourself. Some of those guys, like Scott Gordon, can make you feel like you are playing a wall! The ball keeps coming back...he's really skilled at placement too. Be patient against the hardbat, be accepting that you will be supplying the 'ommph' in the rallies, and be prepared for longer rallies.

Alan

Wonderful insight Alan, thanks. One pips w/o sponge p_layer_ I've spent time playing is of the second category. Well understanding and executing spin with exceptional control/placement. It sure is a challenge sometimes to adjust to the hard bat game where the returns have no power and the bounces are short... I guess I need to improve my footwork for the shorter bounces.

At tournaments, is there usually a mixed of with hard bat, pips out and inverted pips p_layer_s? I've been warned that many long pips p_layer_s are present at tournaments.

Post edited by: phrixion, at: 2006/04/02 03:06

I think you'll find the vast majority of p_layer_s are using inverted on both sides. Don't get too phobic about unusual surfaces! While they are out there, the percentage of people using them, esp. long pips, is pretty low, single digits, less than 10%.

Its always good to examine the opponents racket and know which surface you are playing against, but in the end, its the BALL you are playing, dont lose sight of that.

Alan

Again, thanks for the words of the wise. I'm beginning to fathom how well a backhand and forehand stroke, when well executed, can do to most returns and services even when knuckled or underspun.

Post edited by: phrixion, at: 2006/04/03 16:06

It's been almost exactly one year and one week to the date since I posted this here and I can say that your tips Alan, helped me over time. This year, almost a year later, I took a 1950 rated pips out p_layer_ (short and long pips) to 5 games, almost taking him out of the RR in the first round. He then went on to beat the next 3 p_layer_s in 3 or 4 games (all around 1950-2100 ratings)and advanced. I didn't beat him, but it felt great anyways. Pips out? Bring it on!

I constantly pushed short and looped long to their BH (thanks to a club member for coaching me during this match), then anytime they smashed it with their FH I was able to move away quick enough to get a good counter Loop drive across the table.