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Blocking with a loose vs stiff grip

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SmackDAT View Drop Down
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    Posted: 02/25/2016 at 10:41am
Usually I block incoming topspin with a loose grip, as I believe that a loose grip will "absorb" more of the spin, however last training session I experimented with a firmer and stiffer grip which seemed to give me good results with blocking, mind you this was in topspin to block drills, not actual match type situations where the opponent may put a lot more spin in opening loops.

So, does your grip significantly affect your blocking performance, and does it vary with active and passive blocking, and the amount of topspin coming to your side of the table (e.g. heavy-topspin opening loops vs less-spinny loop-drives)?

Would love to hear your opinions,

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Skyline Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02/25/2016 at 4:30pm
with a loose grip, you have more control but with a stiff grip you can punch harder and more accurately.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote big d Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02/25/2016 at 6:11pm
there is no right or wrong grip for blocking imo. u want to have as much variation in your game as u can.
with a soft grip it's easier to block the ball and place it near the net.
with a firm grip the margin of error is less however if u make a solid contact you can rush your opponent
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kolev Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02/25/2016 at 6:24pm
Originally posted by big d big d wrote:

there is no right or wrong grip for blocking imo. u want to have as much variation in your game as u can.
with a soft grip it's easier to block the ball and place it near the net.
with a firm grip the margin of error is less however if u make a solid contact you can rush your opponent


+1
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote obesechopper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03/15/2016 at 1:47am
It's more about variation than anything else. 

Say you block back 2-3 loops with a stiff grip. The return is fairly predictable, and the attack can do what Johnny Cash said and... get a rhythm! 

But if after a few blocks, you toss in a soft block which forces the attack to move in closer -- they may play back a bad ball, especially at lower levels. Generally a pop up sort just to keep the ball in play. That's when you finish them off with a quick drive! 

Especially against guys who like to sit mid to far distance from the table and play loop wars! 

Given the same blade angle: 

Soft grip - slower/shorter return
Stiff grip - faster and longer return 

Think of it like this... throw a tennis ball against a brick wall vs throwing it against a gymnastics wall (with the padded mats).  


Edited by obesechopper - 03/15/2016 at 1:48am
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SmackDAT View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SmackDAT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03/15/2016 at 3:36am
Originally posted by obesechopper obesechopper wrote:

It's more about variation than anything else. 

Say you block back 2-3 loops with a stiff grip. The return is fairly predictable, and the attack can do what Johnny Cash said and... get a rhythm! 

But if after a few blocks, you toss in a soft block which forces the attack to move in closer -- they may play back a bad ball, especially at lower levels. Generally a pop up sort just to keep the ball in play. That's when you finish them off with a quick drive! 

Especially against guys who like to sit mid to far distance from the table and play loop wars! 

Given the same blade angle: 

Soft grip - slower/shorter return
Stiff grip - faster and longer return 

Think of it like this... throw a tennis ball against a brick wall vs throwing it against a gymnastics wall (with the padded mats).  


Thank you for the detailed summary :)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Carryboy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03/15/2016 at 3:13pm
Originally posted by Kolev Kolev wrote:

Originally posted by big d big d wrote:

there is no right or wrong grip for blocking imo. u want to have as much variation in your game as u can.
with a soft grip it's easier to block the ball and place it near the net.
with a firm grip the margin of error is less however if u make a solid contact you can rush your opponent


+1

++! again, the key is variation!!
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