Why is Ma Long the GOAT of table tennis

Stephen TT lover Asked 4 weeks ago

Hi again in your eyes why is ma long forehand so effective over fang bo's the essence wise?  coz its similar  but yet ma long wins most the matches?

and what makes his forehand so powerful/effective?

and the hardest to answer question how can someone read the game patterns that well and next to no one  in history has done that before maybe  waldner and Fan Zhengdong , and title wise no one else compares to him

and i think its fair to say he is the smartest player ever that we have seen

like in japan he  is called the hexagonal warrior 

and yet another very interesting thing he did in the world championships  i kept loosing to wang chiqin like 5-7 times in a row then came up  with a new playing style like no one  has ever done before?

then a come  from behind victory from lin gaoyuan ,  but this one i figured out also  was found a weakpoint then  exploited it and went from there , think it was a backhand service using a certain spin and length and hard to read

so in meaning how does one player study another player?

and  i also wonder on each hit how many things can u change?

e.g speed, power etc i dont know the other things you can change well

I asked bruce carter about this  psychology about this and he said sign up to here

because there isn't much info  about  tactics and over all feeling tactics on table tennis partly because its so very complex

Iv learnt alot from Chinese and Korean videos on technique, so im  pretty happy at my stage just need footwork(major improvement) and eye  training and timing and use  of kenetic chain better but not much  on how the brain works, how does a pro brain work vs a amateur?

Alois Rosario Answered 3 weeks ago

Hi Stephen,

You've packed quite a few intriguing questions into your message, so let's delve into them one by one.

1. Why is Ma Long’s forehand more effective than Fang Bo's? Ma Long’s forehand is not just technically proficient but also strategically versatile. While Fang Bo also has a strong forehand, Ma Long's forehand stands out for several reasons:
- Power and Speed: Ma Long can generate tremendous power and speed, which often overwhelms opponents.
- Placement and Precision: He excels at placing his shots with pinpoint accuracy, making it hard for opponents to predict and return effectively. 
- Variability: Ma Long frequently changes the spin and trajectory of his forehand, which keeps his opponents guessing and unable to settle into a rhythm.

2. What makes his forehand so powerful and effective? Ma Long's forehand effectiveness stems from his exceptional technique, physical fitness, and mental game. His ability to transition swiftly from defence to attack, his use of the kinetic chain (engaging his legs, hips, torso, and arm harmoniously), and his superior racket speed all contribute to the power behind his forehand.

3. Reading game patterns like Ma Long. Ma Long's ability to read the game is indeed among the best in the sport. This skill is cultivated through years of experience, studying opponents, and playing countless matches at the highest levels. Players like Ma Long, Jan-Ove Waldner, and Fan Zhendong have an intuitive understanding of probabilities and tactics, which they combine with quick observation of an opponent's positioning and body language to predict and react to plays.

4. How does one player study another player? Studying an opponent effectively involves several strategies:
- Video Analysis: Watching past matches of the opponent to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and typical game patterns.
- Match Data: Analysing statistical data from previous encounters or tournaments to identify tendencies. 
- Real-time Observation: During a match, paying attention to the opponent's current form, fitness, and mental state. 

5. Variations a player can make on each hit - On each stroke, a player can adjust numerous factors, including:
- Speed: How fast the ball travels.
- Spin: Topspin, backspin, sidespin, or no-spin.
- Placement: Direction and depth on the table.
 - Timing: Hitting the ball at different phases of its bounce. Understanding and manipulating these variables are crucial for high-level play.

6. Pro vs Amateur Brain - The difference between a professional’s brain and an amateur’s often lies in:
- Experience: Pros have faced more varied situations and pressures.
- Training: Pros undergo rigorous mental and tactical training.
- Focus and Decision Making: Pros can maintain high levels of concentration and make split-second decisions under pressure.
- Pattern Recognition: Pros are quicker to recognise and adapt to game patterns. Improving your footwork, timing, and use of the kinetic chain, as you mentioned, will definitely help enhance your game.

For tactical and psychological aspects, consider incorporating scenario-based training where you practice specific strategies against different styles of play.

Keep studying, practising, and most importantly, enjoying the game.