Research Marty Reisman. He did half time exhibition with The Globe Trotters. He could strike with the knife edge of the paddle. And glance the ball from the table edge..
I have an educated guess as to what he is looking it when he hit it. 
I was recreation room attendant and had spare time with tables, balls and walls. Pretty good for kerning (er uh learning) angles then spin induced variations.
I had the opportunity to face the #1 Asian at exhibition. Oh MY! At warm ups, I smoked a forehand past his paddled hand.
His eyes narrowed and expression changed from cordial to, uh? PISSED Off.
I could see what he put in the ball and yet couldn't counter act the incredible spin he would apply to the ball. I was a sacrifice Al lamb. I was probably B+ to A- at the time of the exhibition. I had a Monday night work out with the best in Redding CA foe around a year.
Of course after just do it yourself training in high school I was somehow an early admission to the ready room with pool And ping pong tables. As a Basic Cadet in amongst the First Class cadets. The look er uh expression of the King of the table when I out performed him on the field of friendly strife.Ooops. He still had the ability to influence my Training. We transition to the pool table and I got my first lesson in pool. Whew, he saved face. There was some kibitzin as base commanders placed wagers. Friendly wagers at the right pay grade. Shrug
Well Fly Boy was of epic reputation. He was a tail gunner on a B-52. 2 week long ready room assignments gave him significant practice time.
