Balls to the tummy
Table Tennis Strokes and Technique
Last updated 4 years ago
Ardak . Asked 4 years ago
Hi, coaches!
Recently I participated in a tournament. I was winning my opponent. Between the sets his coach said to my opponent "hit the ball towards his tummy(belly)". When my opponent started to target my tummy(belly) , I couldn't return the ball. I tried to step aside and use forehand topspin, but failed several times. Because the ball was very fast, I was late for milliseconds. About backhand, for me it is uncomfortable to use backhand topspin when ball comes to my tummy(belly). There is no enough space to do backhand topspin. What do you suggest?
Alois Rosario Answered 4 years ago
Hi Ardak,
One of the night things is to get a wider stance and stay low with your legs. This allows you to pivot and move out of the way of the middle ball easier. With a wider base you can transfer your weight from leg to leg and still remain balanced. This allows you to get out of the way of that middle ball.
We have a Premium tutorial on this as well. Dealing with the Middle Ball.
Thoughts on this question
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Ardak . Posted 4 years ago
This is one of my main problems. I don't stay low with my legs. But I didn't know that it causes problems in returning middle balls. After 2 weeks I will play against that opponent again. Because we are in the same league (league of amateur beginners). I am sure he will apply the same tactics...
Thank you coach!!!
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 4 years ago
No problems. Let me know how you get on.
Ardak . Posted 4 years ago
Of course, I will write about the match, about returning the middle balls.
Ardak . Posted 4 years ago
Hi coach!
Yesterday I played against mentioned opponent in our mini league for amateurs. As I expected, he tried to use the same tactic. Targeted my tummy. But it didn't work well for him. I was more successful in such rallies. Because I used your advices!
1) Tried to stay low with my legs, it helped me shift easier and more balanced. Sometimes I failed to return the middle balls, but it was rare.
2) Didn't forget your advice about adding spin to my bloks. It also caused some problems for him.
This time I won and was second in our league, this automatically makes me a player of the next (higher) legue! Thank you very much coach!
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 4 years ago
Wow... you are making good progress in a lot of areas.
Ardak . Posted 4 years ago
I watched your tutorial videos many times and I got many advices from you. I am amazed that I win some players who train 3-4 days in a week with personal trainers more than a year! All of my progresses are thanks to you!
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 4 years ago
That is very kind of you Ardak.