Defence X with XVE/Haifu octopus

Have couple of session with this defense setup. Forehand with Def X on XVE  felt different from TBS on T05. Ball trajectory is lower and I got less bite on the ball. forehand loop a bit harder but hitting is better. The blade is vibrating when you hit the ball but after few session you will get used to it. I think my forehand did not suffer much after this setup.
Backhand with long pip is really challenging. I need to practice more on  how to used long pimple. Beside push I know how to hit(bump) slow no spin ball. Blocks and chops still  not consistence. From my reading there are four type of blocks(Passive block, chop block, push block and ??). I should take the ball of bounce to apply these blocks to make the ball land on the table.
In practice game, I still won against opponents that I beat before. When play with  MP the best I can achieve is tied at 2-2. This is good because I loss to him when I played with both inverted. My record against pimple was not good except when played with mokt-pos and  one time I won against mud.

Need for improvement:
- block using pimple against hit/smash
- chopping away from table
- hit high ball using pimple
- try to twiddle.
- take ball at high point when pushes to make it faster.

Setup:
Def X XVE/Haifu Octopus OX

Defender

Last time play with pip-out rubber on bh and  T05 on fh.using LKT 729 bat. Beat Ml and Zb  but lost to an. Not bad for first time play using pimple(except a month played pimple on late 2010). Before that I played with normal rubber against mn, and I lost 2-4. However the game was close enough(lost mainly because his sidespin serve to my bh). My style of play was mainly on defensive block and lob only. He praise for my defensive ability to return balls on the table back  If you play defensively, why not try pimple out rubber. Maybe this style by using long pimple can benefit  me the most. That night I cant sleep well thinking of changing my equipments. It will cost me money, time and new skill needed.

Reasons to change to defense setup:
1. Lack of footwork
2. Ageing
3. ineffective bh
   - not aggresive, good for blocking and push/chop only (lately bh lob)
   - serve receive-ok but rarely attack( tried already but not consistence)
   - progress loop on bh very slow compare to my teammates.
4. Getting slower on movement
5. Easier to return serves
6. Chance of smashes are higher

So I ordered new equipment for defensive setup. I hope this will work. If not I will waste my money and time. But it is okay I guess. Why not give another try. At least I will gain experience. Sms Fairus to order butterfly Defense X blade with Haifu Octopus long pip and Xiom Vega Europe. Is this setup good? or it will be another equipment junkies. Try to cancel XVE because I think it is too soft for me. However it  too late because it has already installed on the slow blade. From my readings, I think the blade and XVE do not suit me. However I have to try first to know better. 

Setup
LKT 729 zebra T05/755 ox

Consistency

Do lot of drill for forehand and backhand. Backhand drill still sub-par and need correct stroke. Forehand is ok but need more consistency. Forehand loop need to be more accurate. Is it because of black tenergy wear out. Felt harder than before(about 10 month old ). Have some games with club member and here is my observation

vs Hl
Lost all game 0-6. Last met I won 4-1. Why?. Just practice attack fh and bh. Lots of serve return errors by trying to attack no spin ball. Hits on his forehand loop still miss the table. Maybe i hit so hard and need shorter back swing start above table.
My third ball attack also off the table. Maybe I need to wait a second longer before executing loops and target to his backhand instead of to his forehand( important: This is my common mistake)

Vs Ln

This guy smashes my backspin return after serving to my backhand. I have to change the return by applying heavy push or spinny flip. It work better and  I won many points from that. But winning with passive shot like pushes/chop felt like sissy.
On the offensive side, my 3rd ball attack after short serve work great. His short pushes can be looped easily. Result I won 4-1.

Vs An
He was half-heart to play with me this time. Maybe he is tired. However the game still in his favored (3-0). Overall game is side/top spin based stroke. His skill is above mine and no match for me. Our game concentrated on long range looping rallies. His consistency and spin varieties on strokes give him big advantages. His advice: get a slower equipment setup. Tenergies is for skill player.

Setup
TBS T05/T64

Ma Long

Akhir-akhir ni tengok cara Ma Long main. Cuba tiru gaya serve dier. Bila main dengan ahli kelab banyak dapat poin sebab serve bottom yang berat. Cara pegang bet pun tiru dier jugak. Backhand oreinted grip. Grip ni bagus untuk backhand tapi lemah bila buat forehand stroke.
Prestasi main dgn kelab semakin baik. Boleh menang dengan player yang kalah sebelum ini(mn,mtudm). Cuma dok fikir nak ambil bola smash cop-sidespin dari penhold. Sebelum ni lob balik je..

TBS T05/T64

Asian Table Tennis Championship 2012

From Asian Championship TT Tournament video, I observed how Ma Long play. He like to stay close to table and attack when opportunity came. He try to change from defensive to offensive when the are chances. He also back in ready position after each stroke especially when stay near table( right hand stay in the middle). Many of the pro change their forehand and backhand grip to add more effective stroke eg thumb on rubber while doing backhand stroke and thumb on handle when looping forehand.

From my couples of session with club members:
strength
1. long rally
2. serve and 3rd ball attack
3. backhand and forehand drill near the table however during game I rarely use the technics.

To improve:
1. Caught in defence position
2. let ball reach highest point before executing stroke
3. Not just stick your hand to block balls, need to use some wrist or add more spin.
4. Try attack using backhand when there are chances- not just block.
5. Stay near table with proper ready position
6. Serve return on fast ball.

Setup
TBS T05/T64

Friendly Game with MPK

POLISAS team played with MPK(kuantan) team at Wisma Belia. In Doubles games we lost but in Single the result are even. MPK player represent by Saifuddin & Nadzim & gang.
I lost in double but won in single. The best player of the day goes to Nadzim & Saifuddin MPK.

with club member:
1. Practice loops after short serves.
2. Flip serve return
3. Adjust thumb grip for forehand and backhand. Try to copy pro grips.
4. Longer backhand followthrough.??

Reflective;
1. Take ball little late if dealing with pimple player
2. Dont afraid to play any famous player
3. Attack.....attack...attack.. dont afraid to attack with your backhand.
4. My strength: 3rd ball attack.

Setup
TBS To5/T64(my new rubber)