Blocking fast flat shots with no spin

Arunprasad VS Asked 12 years ago

Hello Alois and Jeff,

I am a penholder and one of my opponents is a shake hand flat hitter. He used to chop the first ball and smashes the return. Even if I play underspin, he just waits near the table for the ball to raise a little and does a fast flat hit with a smaller arm movement. I am unable to guess where he is gonna place his shot standing at a mid distance from the table.

Can you please give expert opinion on blocking such shots...

Regards,

Arun

Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago

Hi Arun,

I think the solution is to stop that shot.  You need to make the first attack but you need to vary the speed, spin and placement of the topspin strokes.  Often a slower topspin will be effective in this situation.  The longer you wait to make your topspin the more difficult it will become because he will control the rally with his pushes.

Work on your 3rd ball attack and the quality of the attack.

If he does make the attack, watch the ball carefully and try to see where the ball is going.