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Ma Long's technique

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APW46 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote APW46 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01/12/2011 at 12:32pm
Its easy to copy an end result, and have aesthetically something resembling that, but it will only be aesthetical, which is fine if that is what you want, but you have to ask yrself why trully great players have their own signature style that is shaped over years around their game and physical attributes. Does Henzell look like anyone else Fruity? No he only looks like Henzell....I agree that players in all sports copy their icons, but the players who advance to higher levels are moulded out of it.
 Who have been the most successful home grown USA players in the last 30 yrs? Tim Boggan and Danny Seemillar, Boy have they got their own styles, but they are consistent competent sportsmen who are successful because they conqured the complete aspects of what makes a good player, and copying the world champion is just about as elementary as you can get.
The Older I get, The better I was.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hclnnkhg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01/12/2011 at 6:33pm

Backhand sidespin flick


(Yellow box) Backhand sidespin flick is not a unusual technique, almost every shakehand looper has learned this technique already. It is commonly used in receiving serves, but rarely in consecutive pushes. It is because this backhand sidespin flick relys on power on the coming ball. It is easier to do sidespin flick when the coming ball has side-back spin.


The properties of the spin and placement of this stroke are tricky. But the power of the ball is relatively weak, and placement is limited. If your opponent attack uncompromisingly, you are in trouble. We can see that in the recent Asian game Men single final: Ma Long always used a side-step counterloop against Wang Hao's sidespin flick. But it is still very useful for amateur players, sometime it can score directly even.


When we use backhand sidespin flick we need to be prepared for continuous attack, and we also need to recover quickly for the next stroke.


(Caption in picture 5): Contract abdomen so there will be enough room for back-swing


(Caption in picture 6): Lot of wrist movement for enough power; elbow points to right, so forearm can be flexible


(Caption in picture 7): Forearm moves with elbow as axis; slightly open bat angle, contact mid-left of the ball


(Caption in picture 8): Straighten abdomen to release power from the body; feet should make the body weight stable


(White box)


(Red text) light steps, stable body weight, contract abdomen, enough back-swing


(Black text) Rhythm should be slow and steady when doing backhand sidespin flick. Amateur players flick too rapid, which disrupt the rhythm. In picture 1-3, Ma Long's steps were short, and his upper body was relatively straight, so his body weight was stable. Amateur players miss the rhythm not only because they are too rapid, but also due to their positioning ---- they often side-step when receiving serves, so they need to adjust when they want to do backhand stroke. It will make the body too close to the table, and miss the right contact point.


In picture 4-6, Ma Long was contracting his abdomen really tight, and slightly raised his arm, for enough space for back-swing. His wrist movement was very big especially in picture 6. These motions were all for better brushing. We need to highlight spin in backhand sidespin flick, to make it more difficult for oppoents. We need to keep the bat horizontal in back-swing. Some player would make the bat vertical because they want to brush the side of the ball, but it will limit the release of power from the wrist.


(Red text) Match abdomen movement wih arm movement


(Black text) In picture 7-9, Ma Long's sidespin flick was rather powerful, his abdomen was straight to release power from the body. His forearm was moving forward with the the elbow as the axis when hitting the ball, and his wrist was turning to brush the ball. In picture 7, Ma Long contacted the ball at mid-left, but this was closer to center, because Ma Long was highlighting topspin rather than sidespin, which matched with Ma Long's style.


Amateur players should focus on straightening abdomon. From picture 7-9 we can see that when Ma Long straightened his abdomen he looked like he was crouching. On the other hand, he used his legs to keep the body weight stable. Amateur players should learn this motion to feel how to use power from the body efficiently.


It was obvious that Ma Long generated most forward force from his arm motion. Even his wrist was trying to hit/brush forward. Most amateur player generate sideward force in order to increase sidespin. But it will reduce forward force at the same time, which make the ball slower and easier for opponent. If we want power and spin at the same time, we could adjust wrist and forearm movement: forearm mainly generate forward force, while wrist motion produce the spin. But it takes more time to learn.


In picture 8, Ma Long's wrist sopped after hitting the ball, so the power would be released in a instant. If the wrist is loose and turn too much we will lose control.


In picture 9-10, his stomping helped him to shorten his follow through motion, so he can recover to ready position quickly. That's what we call good tactical mind. We should be ready for topspin rally after doing the flick.


Amateur players can stand a little bit further away from the table and hit the ball at its peak. They should add abdomen motion after mastering wrist and forearm movement. Also they should avoid too much hitting (compare to brushing). Spin is the first priority when doing backhand sidespin flick.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kenneyy88 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01/12/2011 at 6:48pm
Abdomen use? Anyone can shed more light on this?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TT_haru Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01/12/2011 at 9:26pm
As what was mentioned, the abdomen was contract so that there will be more room to guide the racket for the "twisted  loop". See how much he twists his arm? And when he did the swing, the contracted abdomen was relax. So basically as u guide the racket and pull back to the "twisted" position, u contract your abdomen and as you releases your swing, you relax your abdomen to a straighten stage. The use of abdomen is important for amateur. As what was mentioned, for the start, they can stand a bit further and have "feel" of the forearm & wrist movement. After that, includes the use of abdomen ...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote racquetsforsale Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01/13/2011 at 12:01am
Thanks for all the hardwork translating. If only there were slow motion clips to accompany the articles.
 
I believe it is helpful to observe other people's technique, experiment, and adopt, if one's strokes are already fundamentally sound.
 
Yes, in the end, putting all elements aside that can be identified and quantified, it comes down to natural abilities with which a player is endowed. With regard to the aspect of pure stroke production, however, there is potential for improvement just by adopting better techniques. Even at the highest level of the sport, some players hit better shots than their peers for observable reasons, which, as long as they don't involve prerequisites like having a double-jointed thumb, the physical movements involved should be attainable to a certain degree with methodical practice.
 
My point is, don't look at someone with good strokes and just resort to think it's all talent or natural abilities; there is always something there that can be learned and put to your own use to some degree. Don't stop until the only obstacle to further improvement is the stuff you're made of. You won't have perfect shots, but at least have the best technique your body allows.


Edited by racquetsforsale - 01/13/2011 at 12:02am
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hclnnkhg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01/13/2011 at 10:49am
LAST PART!Big smile

Backhand “flipping flick”


(Yellow box) Backhand “flipping flick” is a threatening technique which is Ma Long's special trick. “Flipping flick” is actually a flick with fake pushing motion. It often surprises the opponent.


It is not a new technique, but it is not common either because it is difficult to hit and brush enough in a short time. Although this technique can surprise opponents, but its lack of power and spin would give opponents chance to counter-attack if they step backward slightly.


Ma Long usually do this flick when opponents push the ball short, because short pushes are not likely to have strong spin, so “flipping flick” can be done consistently. “Flipping flick” requires a lot more forearm and wrist movement than sidespin flick. Amateur players can reference the motion of forehand flick when learning this technique.


Brushing is important when flicking because it is necessary to overcome the backspin on the coming ball.


(Caption in picture 5) Open the bat slightly, aiming the mid-bottom of the ball; lower the body


(Caption in picture 6) Shoulder move forward slightly; close the bat and hit the mid-top of the ball; forearm move forward with elbow as axis


(Caption in picture 7) Wrist turn right and up, more brushing, keep the arc low


(Caption in picture 8) relax arm and recover; right foot stomp the floor to make body moves backwards


(White box)


(Red text) lower the body, upper-body lean forward; wrist turn downwards, aim for mid-bottom of the ball


(Black text) Before Ma Long did the backhand “flipping flick”, his body was very low just like when he's pushing; but his stand was firmer and lower than pushing the ball. Ma Long stepped forward slightly before his hit the ball . It can lower the body and the eye sight, so the contact point can be more precise. Also a firm stand can ensure quick recovery.


In picture 1-4, Ma Long's motion was exactly the same as he was pushing. Most of his body weight was lying on right leg, therefore his right leg was bent, and it made his body steady. On the other hand, his body and his bat kept a fair distance from the coming ball, so he could have enough time to flick. This is distinctive to a push. When pushing, contact with the ball was usually made just after its bounce, so the power of the coming ball can be used.


In picture 4, Ma Long's wrist turned downwards, bat was opened and aimed at mig-bottom of the ball, there built up power. This motion was also different to a push. If it is a push, the wrist will turn upwards for more brushing. Amateur players can use this to determine your opponent's stroke.


Although we can see the differences between push and flick in these pictures, in fact it only happens at an instant, so it is still difficult to determine what Ma Long's gonna do.


(Red text)Close your bat slightly, hit the ball with power from the wrist


(Black text) Picture 5-7 showed when Ma Long hit the ball. In picture 5, his bat was slightly opened. Then it became slightly closed in picture 6. The turning of wrist will naturally brush the ball from bottom to top, create some topspin; at the same time forearm generated a forward force to drive the ball forward. In picture 7, his wrist moved rapidly to up right to lower the arc. Wrist movement was the crucial part in “flipping flick”.


When practicing “flipping flick”, amateur players should focus on: 1. open the bat and aim for mid-bottom of the ball before contact 2. Keep the body low throughout and stomp the floor by right foot 3. Make contact when the ball is at its peak or just after its peak 4. Wrist should turn inside sufficiently before hitting the ball, but follow through shall be kept short 5. Do not close the bat too much, aim for mid-top of the ball 6. Adjust wrist motion according to the spin of the coming ball e.g. if the ball has strong backspin, wrist should move more upward to overcome it 7. Do not open forearm fully to increase consistency.


Backhand “flipping flick” should be done in a sudden for it to be effective. Amateur players should build this technique from backhand looping over the table. In practical, we can combine backhand looping, backhand “flipping flick” and backhand sidespin flick together, make it more difficult for opponents.


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