Can you give me strategies to manage difficult side spins

Table Tennis Strokes and Technique

Last updated 9 years ago

Susan Haumeder

Susan Haumeder Asked 9 years ago

When top spinning ball comes to my forehand side (I'm right handed) with side spin pushing it out away to my right I can control the ball by 1) covering the topspin by tilting the paddle forward and covering the side spin by bringing by paddle around to the outside of the ball. I think of it as hitting into the spin. 

What do I do with the back spinning ball that comes to the same position? It seems logical to do the opposite, but angling my paddle to hit the inside (the side closest to my body) seem to require my breaking my wrist which I understand isn't a good idea. 

Thanks for the help.


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario Answered 9 years ago

Hi Susan,

If the ball is still spinning away from you but with backspin, then you should still keep your bat angling in towards you but lift the ball by starting lower and finishing higher with your stroke.


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Susan Haumeder

Susan Haumeder Posted 9 years ago

Ah yes, of course. I wish I was better at it, but that's true of most strokes. Thanks for the speedy reply. 

And... what if the under-spinning, side-spinning ball is a short serve and I'm don't think I can flip it?


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 9 years ago

It is best to push this ball back.  Use the angle of the racket again to steer it back onto the table.



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