When to become defensive player?

Tony Lum Asked 14 years ago

Hi Coach,

At what point in one's development as a player does he/she decide to become a defensive specialist? It seems that the matches that I've seen, the offensive player will eventually pound the defensive player until he/she makes a mistake and eventually loses the match.

TIA,

Tony

Alois Rosario Answered 14 years ago

Hi Tony,

There is an advantage in todays game for the attacking player, however some players are still able to be extrememly good defensive players. Joo Se Hyuk a defender from Korea is currently ranked No. 9 in the World.

Some players have a defensive personality and so the defensive game suits them better. I think we don't have enough defensive coaches to bring those players along to their potential.

If you feel that the defensive game suits you, go for it and see what you can do with it. The advantage is that there are not many around.

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Ji-Soo Woo Posted 14 years ago

After having played nothing but double inverted combinations, and having had a fairly aggressive style for as long as I've played the game (I would chop once in a blue moon, if that), I've recently slapped on a LP rubber and am trying to be a defender.

Why did I do it?

1) intellectual curiousity...trying something completely new and alien

2) laziness...you don't have to worry about cleaning your LP, or covering it after matches... ;)

3) future investment...I figured if I could learn a serviceable LP game, then I would know how to play other LP players in the future...even if I went back to a double inverted combination eventually

4) twiddling...twiddling is SOOOO COOOOL!!! (unfortunately I can't do it yet...I always drop the racquet on the floor when I try)

5) personal strength...I've always had good reflexes and ability to return hard shots. Add LP to the mix and, given time, I could become impermeable!

6) workout...I find that playing LP gives me a better workout. Footwork is even more critical so you are always moving. You're more often forced to run around backhands to hit forehands, or even forehands to hit backhands.

The big disadvantage is that LP is not as intuitive as inverted. And this is compounded by the fact that so few people are classic defenders so you don't have any role models to study (and frankly, watching Joo doesn't help one's game because its just too advanced). I originally learnt my inverted technique (unfortunately) from watching tennis. But there is no racquet sport that can prepare you for LPs.

Jo Boermans Posted 14 years ago

4) twiddling...twiddling is SOOOO COOOOL!!! (unfortunately I can't do it yet...I always drop the racquet on the floor when I try)

yes, it's cool. I use a bat with a red anti spin side. I play always with the black one on the forehand. (it's a rubber with more grip and control). but when play against a player with a strong service, i use turn the bat, i do that during the game too. It work's very good ;)

I have one question, maybe a very weird one, but i must ask it.

Sometimes, during a match, i can't reach the ball with my backhand (a smash or side spin or something like that) So i switch from hand... Of course, when i do that, people stops, and said that's illegal. So is it legal or not ? (i can play with both hands, but i'm right so that one is better)

Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 14 years ago

Hi Jo,

You certainly can switch the bat into your other hand during a point.