Best way to control spin

Erwin lovesplayingtt Asked 1 month ago

Dear Pingskills,

what would be the best way to control the incoming spin of a topspinstroke:

• relaxing your arm/wrist/paddle while blocking
• stiffening " " " (don't know if stiffening is even a word in English).

What are the advantages or disadvantages of both ways?

Alois Rosario Answered 1 month ago

Dear Erwin,

• Against strong or spinny topspin: Stay relaxed but keep your form either your stroke — think “soft hands” but not floppy.

• Against slower balls or if you’re looking to counter: A slightly firmer wrist and more active stroke is fine.

You can train this feel by:

• Blocking loop shots with a focus on racket angle and a relaxed grip.

• Practicing "touch blocks" — trying to land the ball short off a heavy loop using soft hands.