Backhand topspin timing

Hi Alois/Jeff,

I’ve been having trouble with timing for the backhand topspin against topspin. With topspin the ball kicks up off the table quite high and it is too high to play the full stroke correctly. I usually end up playing a block. Is it better to step into the table and contact the ball earlier after the bounce on the table or leave it and contact it later- when it’s falling after the peak of it’s bounce?

Thanks,

Thomas

Hi Thomas,

You can do either of those options.  If you take the bad earlier it is a riskier stroke because the ball is moving faster and you also have less time to see the path.  However, if you can make this stroke it is a more difficult return for your opponent.

The later contact is safer because you have more time.