Chopping a lob

Table Tennis Strokes and Technique

Last updated 7 years ago

Bryan Lee

Bryan Lee Asked 7 years ago

Hello again pingskills

My question is: is it possible to chop a lob after my opponent has lobbed my smash back? Or would the ball float and go past the table. I feel like it would make it extremely difficult for my opponent to return it. I haven't been able to try it because it's very hard to find players in my area.

thank you!


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario Answered 7 years ago

Hi Bryan,

It is possible but not advisable.  I think you are talking about the chop smash.  This is a risky stroke that is unnecessary.  It is much better to hit the ball flat and hard.


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Dhruv Trivedi

Dhruv Trivedi Posted 7 years ago

Hello pingskills,

I just started playing and I want improve my backhand,

So, please give some training tips without an opponent

Thank u  ☺


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 7 years ago

Hi Dhruv,

Take a look at a tutorial we made a while ago. Practicing Alone.  You might get some ideas from there.  Also stand in front of a mirror and practice the swing of the stroke and see if it looks correct.


Gabriel Orozco

Gabriel Orozco Posted 7 years ago

In my case I could do it, but it depends on where your opponent is on the table and how good that person is with spin. Since I'm a lefty, if they ever lob after I hit a smash and they're on my left in front of me, I will use a forehand chop with a bit of sidespin to my right and it curves hard to the right. They usually never expect that and fail to move on time or to react to it. However, it's not very effective against more advanced players. They could push it back, put topspin, or might smash it as well. More advanced players don't really give you an option to do that unless you have no other choice, but it is a very risky move. I'd recommend either slamming it or looping with topspin. Again, your options depend on how your opponent could react to what you do.



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