Backhand counterhit

Table Tennis Strokes and Technique

Last updated 7 years ago

VINCENZO DI TRANI

VINCENZO DI TRANI Asked 7 years ago

I watched the video about backhand counterhit and I would like two explanations. I noticed that in final part of the stroke(follow through) you supinate the forearm so that the forehand  side of racket is facing to the roof. But, in this way, during the stroke, is the angle of racket changing ? Is it correct ?Another doubt is about the wrist: during the stroke  can I use the wrist and in which way?


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario Answered 7 years ago

Hi Vincenzo,

Initially you don't need to turn your forearm, supinate, to keep the angle more consistent.  As you advance the stroke slightly you can open out the arm and this will naturally turn the forearm.  Again as you advance you can start to relax the wrist a little more and allow it to flow through with the stroke.  Again, let it go through naturally with the weight of the racket.


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VINCENZO DI TRANI

VINCENZO DI TRANI Posted 7 years ago

Thank you very much Coach ! I have another question about backhand counterhit:

when, in final part of the stroke, I hit the ball forward, do I have to extend the forearm changing the angle between upper arm and

forearm  or do I have to rotate the upper arm on itself keeping a fixed angle?


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 7 years ago

Yes extend your forearm which will naturally change the angle of the angle.  Like holding your hand out to receive something.


Manfred

Manfred Posted 7 years ago

That was a fantastic answer, coach. I thought about this while my last training match ...   and got a smile in my face while holding my hand out to receive something. What i mostly received was .... the point   :-) :-) :-) 


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 7 years ago

Yes learnt that one from one of my first coaches, Keith Keane.


VINCENZO DI TRANI

VINCENZO DI TRANI Posted 7 years ago

Hi Coach! I tried to do the backhand counterhit without  turning the forearm and without using the wrist with good results. When I tried to turn the forearm, sometimes the ball go to the net. But I noticed that if I bend the wrist towards my body and I turn my forearm, I can lift the ball over the net. So my question is: In the start position is the bat an extension of the forearm or is bent towards my body? 


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 7 years ago

Start with it as an extension when you are learning.  As you progress and relax your wrist more, your wrist will move towards your body at the start.


VINCENZO DI TRANI

VINCENZO DI TRANI Posted 7 years ago

So, if I keep the bat as an extension, the stroke is completely flat and when I relax the wrist towards my body and I turn my forearm, the stroke has a little bit of topspin. Is it correct ?


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 7 years ago

It will have more speed.  You can get topspin by turning your bat over the top of the ball more.


VINCENZO DI TRANI

VINCENZO DI TRANI Posted 7 years ago

Excuse me Coach if I did all these questions, but in the past I played tennis by doing the one-handed backhand with a wiper motion and it seems to me that in backhand counterhit the motion is more or less similar . Is it right?


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 7 years ago

In Table tennis you don't have time so the action needs to be shorter than in Tennis.


VINCENZO DI TRANI

VINCENZO DI TRANI Posted 7 years ago

Thank you very much Coach! I followed your advices and I improved my backhand counterhit. The only problem is the direction of the ball. I try to face my body towards where I want the ball to go, but when I do a backhand across  court and a backhand parallel to the line sequentially, I don't have enough time to move my feet and the stroke don't have a good direction.Furthermore in the club, where I play, they told me that the finish position of the peak of the bat give the direction to the ball and the body remains in front of the table. So I'm confused about that. What is your opinion ?


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 7 years ago

Hi Vincenzo,

To change direction quickly you can alter the timing slightly.  To hit it down the line just hit it a little later.  You don't need to move too much or even at all.  The facing the direction you want to hit is a guide and only a slight difference.



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