I wish to second your comments, Dean, about the extraordinarily
graceful and effective strokes that Hermann displays in this
highlights video. His classic technique is truly a thing to behold.
In fact, I credit it with encouraging me to return to playing after a
layoff of over 45 years.

You see, it was a photo of Hermann preparing to hit a classic backhand
chop that caught my attention a little over two years ago. This photo
was on a website that I chanced upon serendipitously after having my
interest in table tennis tweaked by a freak occurrence that had me
playing in the March, 2006 US Team Championships in Reno -- without so
much as a Hock at my disposal. (And, I might add, without so much as
my earning even one victory in the fifteen or so matches that I played
there.)

But the website image of Hermann, in his classic defensive backhand
stance, was so compelling that when I learned that he lived near me,
in the Bay Area, I just had to find out where he played and seek to
hit with him. I did, and I have hit with him regularly -- at least
weekly -- ever since much to my enjoyment.

As to weaknesses, I regret to have to inform you, that his major
weakness – his predictable need to get revenge after he has lost a
point he thought he should have won – turns out to be not so much a
weakness after all, because in such cases he generally wins the
following point, no matter how outrageous and risky the shot he
attempts. I attribute this to his egomaniacal determination to get
even -- such is the essential nature of the man.

As to the US Open, I believe both Hermann and I are planning to
participate -- looking forward to seeing you there.

Bob Palgon

--- In hardbat@yahoogroups.com, "wallyswoods" <wallyswoods@...> wrote:
>
> Thanks for the great video, Hermann. If you play that well the next
> time we meet, I haven't got a chance. Please make another video that
> shows your weaknesses. And include how to beat Bob Palgon, too.
> Haven't played a game or match against him yet, and he has challenged
> me to the same at the next tournament. You both are going to the
> open in Vegas in July?
>
> Dean Norman
>
> --- In hardbat@yahoogroups.com, "hl_tt" <hermann@> wrote:
> >
> > Last February Bob Palgon and I thought we should tape ourselves to
> > check our techniques with the hope that we could do something in
> the
> > future about the parts we didn't like.
> >
> > Well, I don't know about that last part, but I thought it would be
> a
> > good idea for me to make a record of my strokes before real old age
> > sets in (please no comments on this). So I selected some of my
> typical
> > strokes (no comments on this either), and made a five minutes
> movie.
> > You can watch it at
> >
> > http://www.veoh.com/videos/v6989667jGRJCy95
> >
> > Feel free to comment on the movie.
> >
> > Hermann
> >
>