Confusion between Sidespin Topspin and Loop

Tushar Verma Asked 8 years ago

Hi Coach, 

I was playing against a player who was very good at wrist movement and fake movement. He was using sidespin topspin with low swing in it and loop with same swing but fake his movement as they seems same (loops) at a low height. But when I block the both loops go up and sidespin topspin goes out of the table or in net. How could I identify their spin and amount to spin? They seems very close.

Alois Rosario Answered 8 years ago

Hi Tushar,

You can get clues from the flight of the ball. The sidespin shot will tend to curve in the air a little.  It may be difficult to see at first but as you play against it more you will start to recognise the curve.

Also make sure you are watching the swing of the stroke.  There has to be slight differences.  It may be that he is just dropping his wrist slightly for the sidespin stroke.