- Jason would also be willing to try a long backspin serve to Alex's backhand every so often, to see whether Alex is willing and able to attack it. If Alex is successful, Jason would use this serve less. If Alex is poor at attacking the serve, Jason can then use both short and long serves to Alex's backhand in order to set up his own attacks.
- When returning serve, Jason will focus on Alex's variation of spin, and take a chance or two early in the match by trying to flip Alex's serve. This will let Alex know that Jason is willing to attack any loose serves, and force Alex to concentrate hard on serving tight. It might also fool Alex into thinking Jason's flip is not a weakness if Jason can land a flip or two. Jason will keep attacking the occasional tight serve just to keep Alex on his toes, and stop Alex from being able to anticipate Jason's returns. The rest of the time Jason will focus on good placement of the return, avoiding Alex's power zones wherever possible.
- If Alex does generate a strong forehand attack from his serve, Jason will move back from the table and attempt to re-loop the ball to Alex's forehand side, hoping to push Alex back from the table as well, and avoiding Alex's strong backhand punch-block.. If Jason can succeed at getting Alex to move back, Jason should then be in a stronger position, as he can loop from both wings. Jason would then be looking to place a strong attack to Alex's backhand to take advantage of Alex's weaker side - Alex will find it very hard to use his strong punch-block if he has been pushed back from the table.
Use a Loop - A Feedback Loop!
Once the match actually gets underway, it is important to keep thinking and be aware of whether your match strategy is working or not. Take notice of which plans are working better than you expected, and use them more often or in important parts of the game. Also note which strategies aren't working, and try to understand why - have you misread your opponent's weakness? Or are you unable to do what is required to take advantage of it? Change your plans accordingly based on what you are able to accomplish during the match, and how your opponent is playing.The match between Jason and Alex is in the third game. Jason won the first fairly easily using his original strategies. Alex improved his service in the second game and refused to allow Jason to push him back from the table, and so was able to attack with his forehand loop and backhand punch-block, and so Alex won the second game.
Now, at the start of the third game, Jason re-evaluates his strategy. He decides to stand further towards his backhand corner, to allow him to take more of Alex's serves with his forehand, which should be better suited to the type of sidespin Alex is using. He will also place more of his service returns out wide to Alex's forehand, forcing Alex to have to move in order to hit them. Jason will then stay in close to the table and mix up blocks with counterloops to try to affect Alex's timing and hopefully catch Alex still out wide to the forehand side.
The match continues ...
