Last updated on 17-Jul-2012 07:39:39 AM
Hi Alois,
I've been having trouble returning a short heavy sidespin and backspin service from a player who likes to place it to my backhand. When I tried pushing it short to his backhand or forehand, he would flick it back and end up winning the point. He is also very proficient at looping on both sides so pushing it long is out of the question. I've tried to banana flick (backhand sidespin flick) but the ball would go into the net since the backspin was so heavy and the ball was so low. He told me that I should try to contact the ball (when performing the banana flick) on the side to generate the sidespin and avoid the heavy backspin but I don't see how the physics would work in returning it? Is this the correct method to perform the flick against heavy underspin?
Thanks.
Hi Edison,
Take a look at the lesson we have on the Backhand Sidespin Flick. This will help you with it. Hitting the ball on the side will get the sidespin happening and also doesn't put the full force of the backspin into the rubber.
This is a very difficult shot. I would tend to work more on the short push and developing touch with it so that you can return a backspin serve effectively short. To do this you need a very relaxed hand and you don't give the stroke any forward momentum as the backspin will send the ball back as long as you have the right angle on your racket.
Thanks Alois.
I worked on controlling my pushes today and generating more underspin on them. Hopefully this will help me avoid getting attacked on the 3rd ball.
You and Jeff are the best! I've learned so much from you guys.
do you mean that will keep the racket fixed without any forward movement ? how does the ball will go over the net ?
Mohsen
Mohsen,
If there is enough speed on the serve then you definitely don't need any forward movement. The speed of the ball combined with the speed of your rubber and the angle of your bat all combine to be able to get the ball back over the net.
does it look like a drop shot , not push.
Mohsen
Thanks coach. i got it .
Mohsen
Thank you so much coach....:)
You're welcome Mayur.
Yay, thanks for making a video to my question. Been working on this for a couple of months now and my touch has greatly improved on pushing since then. Awesome coaching!
THis is one of my favorite serves to do. It works especially well against my training partner, who plays a traditional penhold backhand. However, I curve the ball off the side of the table, short. How would you counter my serve if you were using a traditional penhold backhand?
Hi Horace,
It is best for the penholder to get close to the table and cut the ball off as early as possible. Take a step with your left leg across behid the line of the ball and then push the ball back.
Edison,
Thanks for your kind comments. I am glad it has helped.
