Most Creative Player
Dave Williams
Often, as we muse about The Game, the Big Question arises...where is the
line between training, technique and "talent"?
I think all of us have seen players of some special talent. They come
across as "naturals". In my memory, young Rutledge Barry, Eric Boggan
and Mike Villette struck me as especially "creative" players who seemed
to summon innovative tactics on the fly, with the potential to
"reinvent" themselves periodically through their careers.
Other player's talent, no less worthy or laudable, is in their ability
to "stay the course", executing sound tactics and applying technique and
training to face varied challenges. Cheng! Today's successful
"high-risk" table tennis technicians are courageous attackers who
demonstrate their talent in the way they move and adjust in split
seconds in a dynamic speed/spin environment.
But, still, there are definitely special artists among us. Who is the
most "creative" player you've ever seen? Especially as measured in
their ability to change their game over time or in a single match.
Larry Hodges
Dave Williams wrote:
> Who is the
> most "creative" player you've ever seen? Especially as measured in
> their ability to change their game over time or in a single match.
Among top U.S. players, Cheng Yinghua and Dan Seemiller probably are the
best at adjusting their games to their opponents - and they also happen
to be #1 and #3 in the senior (over 40) division. Coincidence?
Cheng can switch from consistent countering, quick blocking, two-winged
looping, or all-out forehand looping, all in the drop of a hat. Dan's
strategy changes are even more renowned - he has anti on one side, with
the Seemiller grip (surprise - named after him!). He can play fast
blocks (inverted), dead blocks (anti), forehand loops from all over,
forehand loop/back block combo, and generally throws everything but
proverbial kitchen sink at opponents in attempt to open up a forehand
loop for himself.
Another intersting U.S. player is 2300 Enoch Green of Philadephia.
Enoch can play shakehand chopper, shakehand blocker/counterdriver,
shakehand looper, penhold quick-blocker, Seemiller grip backhand
pick-hitter - all in the same rally!
At the world-class level, Jan-Ove Waldner and Liu Guoliang are head and
shoulders ahead of other players in their innovations.
"all in the drop of a hat"
"kitchen sink"
"head and shoulders ahead"
Wow, my writing is turning into clicheland!
-Larry Hodges
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xxyzz
Dave Williams wrote:
> But, still, there are definitely special artists among us. Who is the
> most "creative" player you've ever seen? Especially as measured in
> their ability to change their game over time or in a single match.
Well among world class players the answer is simple : Waldner. Amongst
"decent" players I would have to say Enoch Green of Pennsylvania. He has so
many different techniques and serves its amazing. He also finds a way to
beat Abass Ekun whenever they play. He also give other 2500-2600 players
fits. Enoch is the quintessence of the word creative.
Larry Hodges
xxyzz wrote:
>
> Amongst
> "decent" players I would have to say Enoch Green of Pennsylvania. He has so
> many different techniques and serves its amazing. He also finds a way to
> beat Abass Ekun whenever they play. He also give other 2500-2600 players
> fits. Enoch is the quintessence of the word creative.
We should start a separate thread just about Enoch Green's game! xxyzz
and I both independently singled Enoch out! Playing him is an
experience. (He use to play at my club in the early 1980s.)
-Larry Hodges
Scott Gordon
Dave Williams (dwil...@mail.miworld.net) wrote:
: Who is the most "creative" player you've ever seen?
They would be: J.O.Waldner, and Richard Bergmann.
But I've only seen them on video.
Scott