Ask The Coach

Hi Alois,

I have struggled with receiving serves wide to the f/hand, where the ball hits the table at say mid-depth, and only bounces once, but then drops off the right side of the table. I know this is a problem against left-handers, so I always receive closer to centre of table against them. But the last two opponents have both been right-handers, and I've still had trouble.

I wanted to attack first, but found looping awkward and not a percentage shot. I ended up scrambling around the side of the table, and not just not being able to attack, but actually making it easy for the opponent. In the end, I just pushed the ball back and tried to stay out of trouble.

The next week it was a different opponent, but same problem. I saw an international in action playing against the same serve. He did a slow loop with his f/hand, and then his opponent, being ready, loop-killed the ineffective loop. I'm not a great looper, so if a top player (with a better loop) cannot handle these angled serves, what should I do?

I have also played a leftie a while ago, and he got an advantage serving the ball so it went around the left side of the table. Again, I couldn't attack (with b/hand), and was out of position. The player knew he had an advantage. The right-handed opponent served a forehand to my wide forehand, while the leftie served a forehand wide to my backhand.

Similar problem: hard to attack, hard to play safe, hard not to get out of position. Any ideas?

Cheers,

Andrew.