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Find out more about becoming a premium memberSpin, speed and placement are the 3 things you need to focus on when coming up with your tactics against each of your opponents. Start with the serve and your third ball attack. Figure out what type of serve your opponent finds most difficult. Find out where is the best place to direct your first attack. Is your opponent better at blocking with their backhand or forehand? Does your opponent prefer a faster topspin or a slow spinny topspin? Do the same for your returns. Make sure that you record all of this information in the PingSkills Vault!
Hi Alois,
One of my opponents knew I have problem with long fast backspin serve on my backhand, because I am penholder player, she just made it very often, my backhand topspin isn't good enough, so I nearly get scared every time when she make long fast backspin serve on my backhand, in a addition, she is using short pimple rubber.
Hi Linda,
Try taking a step back to give yourself more time to react to the fast long serve.
You can also try pivoting and using your forehand on that ball. Finally, work hard to improve this stroke, even if it is just to make a simple topspin so that the ball goes on the table each time with some topspin to keep them under pressure.
Hi Alois,
If my opponents serve fast and long to my backhand side, how can I return ball short, slow over the net? My BH topspin is still bad, so I cannot attack. I try to push, but it is long and high.
Thanks!
Hi Dang,
It is almost impossible to return it short because the ball is travelling too fast and will bounce off your bat too quickly. You need focus on trying to return it low if you are going to push the return. Otherwise it is best to topspin it.
I understand. So the best option is topspin. Is chopping suitable?
You can chop if you want to. Try to keep the ball low and long on the table.