Last updated on 15-Aug-2009 07:25:51 AM
Hi Alois,
As a beginner I play all my attacking strokes as fast as I can either purely brushing or hitting straight through. Consistency is my main aim and wonder if counterhitting is easier to be consistent with as I havent tried to hit slightly upward and mostly forward through the ball and should I have a slow stroke as I usually hit or stroke hard.
Hi David,
For consistency definitely a counterhit is easier.
Try hitting the ball slowly first and aim to get a certain number of balls on the table without a mistake. Build this up until you can easily hit 100 balls on without even thinking about it.
This level of consistency is important to develop good control of the ball.
G'day David
from my understanding the amount of follow through on a block would depend both on the degree of power (speed + topspin) on the opponent's ball as well as how much power you want on your own block.
Obviously the more power is on the opponent's ball, the less follow through you will need since you can use the opponent's pace. Also, if you want a gentle block (perhaps the opponent is further back from the table) you would block with little follow through and a very gentle grip. If you want to do a more aggressive block, you can add pace to the opponent's ball with more follow through (if you do this enough I guess it stops becoming a block and becomes a punch).
