Improving Topspin against backspin
Strokes and Technique
Otfried Krumpholz Asked 7 years ago
Hi,
In my league and amongst the players I often play against, it often comes to push-push games and it is hard for me to break through that before I make some mistake (and they are more experienced and will less often make one). So I think my next logical step in my development is to improve my topspin against backspin.
While in multiball drills I usually get it quite well after some time, in games I find it extremely difficult to get the ball on the table that way, let alone play a strong topspin. Would it be a good way to start with slower spinny topspins (which I find much easier to play) and build it up from there? Or do you have a better recommendation?
Regards from Germany,
Otfried
Alois Rosario Answered 7 years ago
Hi Otfried,
You are right you need to work on the topspin against backspin stroke like you are doing.
You can take it a step further now though. Multiball is a good way to start but then you need to also practice the stroke in a rally situation after playing a push. The movement to position is very different when you are doing multiball to when you are pushing and then have to move to make the topspin.
You can start with the slower topspin but can also try the faster strokes quite soon.
Thoughts on this question
Become a free member to post a comment about this question.
Otfried Krumpholz Posted 7 years ago
Thanks!
I have an additional question: Today I had the situation that at my club there was nobody to train with. After half an hour of training services I decided to work a bit on my topspin. I let a ball drop and bounce from the floor and then topspin it from hip to knee height over the table. Of course the ball then has only little movement and no spin, but I thought I can build up a bit my "touch" feeling. Do you think it is a good drill when there is no partner available or is it too far from a real situation and spoils the correct feeling?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 7 years ago
It can be good to start with for your practice of the contact and the brushing action. If you have no other practice partner then this can be useful.
Veet Voojajig Posted 7 years ago
I have a similar question - I'm not sure if I should include it here...
Topspin against side-spin... I can't seem to catch anything but plain air, when trying to topspin a side-spin, especially, if it on my FH side...
Rohan Keogh Posted 7 years ago
Veet, can you provide more info? Is the side spin taking the ball away to your forehand or backhand side and are you talking about side spin with topspin or backspin?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 7 years ago
Hi Veet,
Focus on moving forward into the ball on contact. I see all to fop layers miss the ball because they do not account for the sidespin. By pushing forward into the ball on contact you will get a better contact on the ball.
Veet Voojajig Posted 7 years ago
Yep, I'm not accounting for the side-spin, even though, I know it's going to be one.. Never faced this issue earlier... and it happens mostly on my FH, with the spin taking the ball away from me...
Rohan Keogh Posted 7 years ago
I have the opposite issue - I don't adjust enough when the ball is moving toward me or across my position, so I get a lot of 'finger hits'. It can be embarrassing, but even more so when the finger hit actually stays in play (usually with a really weird spin or as a floater) and I win the point - so much worse than a net or edge ball.
Alois, is my solution to move back away from the table a tad, or to move more left or right, depending on whether I'm going to do a BH or FH?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 6 years ago
Hi Rohan,
I think it is to watch the ball closely. You will start to pick up the flight better and then hopefully get the contact not he bat better as well.
Rohan Keogh Posted 6 years ago
OK thx. Let's hope so :)