Last updated on 21-Aug-2008 11:42:31 PM
Hi Tom,
Great question. Against a backspin ball you really must use a loop if you want to attack in order to lift the ball over the net. For a ball that has been blocked back to you with not much topspin, you need a slightly different stroke to the topspin off backspin. You want to start your bat not quite as low. For more spin your swing is more low to high or vertical. For more speed your swing is more forward to back or horizontal. The starting and finishing height will vary depending on the amount of spin vs speed you want to put on the ball. The more spin the lower the start and the higher the finish position. The faster the shot you want the higher the start and the lower the finish position.
For a topspin against a topsin shot (a counter loop), you need a slightly different swing again. As the ball has topspin on it, it will tend to jump up off your bat and this is why you hit this shot out more often. To counter the topspin you will need to have your bat angle closed more during your shot and brush on the top of the ball. Counterspinning a topspin shot is a very aggressive stroke and is difficult to master. If you are playing a match and have not mastered the counterspin, you may wish to play a bit safer and to block these shots back with a much shorter swing. Try and place the ball to a position that is difficult for your oppenent and then when you get an easier ball you can take up the attack with an aggressive topspin of your own.
So keep practising those topspins because once you master it, you will have a very effective stroke that can win you a lot of points.
