How Should I Play Medium High Balls?

Francisco Cespedes Grau

Last updated on 09-Nov-2011 09:47:04 AM

Sometimes I get a medium-high ball, with this i mean a ball a bit high to do a good topspin but a bit low to do a secured smash, in this occasions i try to smash but i miss a lot of times cause the ball is not so high, what I'm doing wrong? I should try to hit a loop kill trying to hitting at the top of the ball, or maybe it's my placement which is bad?, i need help with this cause lower balls i return them with topspin but i have specially an opponent with is always giving me this kind of balls and i want to be more consistent with this.

and Alois Rosario said...

Hi Francisco,

I had an opponent who used to trouble me with this same tactic.

It is an awkward height to play from. Try not to think about hitting the ball for a winner but rather keeping them away from the table with your shot. Put topspin on the ball like you normally would. Start with your bat a bit higher than you normally would but keep your shoulder really relaxed. The thing that often goes wrong with this shot is that you tighten your shoulder to get the bat up to that higher level and that will lead to a tight and bad stroke.

So relax, think about placing the ball well with some good topspin to keep them away from the table. When they hit the ball short or higher then you can hit it for a winner.

Here's a video to answer the question...

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Comments on this question

Francisco Cespedes Grau commented...

on the 17-Oct-2011 08:24:59 PM

Thanks for the tip, it worked for me last day, i just try to hit more higher, at the top if the ball, and it still goes on the court if i hit it hard, i will keep trying those high topspins to get better, thanks

Alois Rosario from PingSkills said...

on the 18-Oct-2011 06:40:52 AM

Glad to be able to help.

Ian Costello, a premium member said...

on the 08-Nov-2011 08:51:59 AM

What happens if the ball comes to your backhand?

THX,

Ian

Francisco Cespedes Grau commented...

on the 08-Nov-2011 11:02:15 AM

Thanks very much for the video!!, last days i'm having less troubles with this, im learning to do those kind of topspins, and when i fail usually it's coz i still have no time to move to the correct position, but that is a footwork problem.

About what if it's in the backhand... i think if it's enough high you will have time to move, not like me i still dont have a good footwork and sometimes i fail this balls, maybe there is another solution but i dont know it.

Again thanks for the video! :)

Alois Rosario from PingSkills said...

on the 08-Nov-2011 05:42:08 PM

Hi,

If the ball comes to the backhand you can block it back if you like. Even block it short to bring them in closer to the table and then hit the next forehand harder while they are close.

The main thing to remember is that you don't have to hit a winner, just keep them away from attacking.

Ian Costello, a premium member said...

on the 09-Nov-2011 12:18:00 AM

Because the topspin is difficult?

Alois Rosario from PingSkills said...

on the 09-Nov-2011 09:47:04 AM

It can be, but if you practice it you can do that as well. Take a look at our lesson on Counter A Spinny Topspin. This will show you some good technique.

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