Close to table defender playing style

Table Tennis Match Strategy

Last updated 12 years ago

mohsen dessouki

mohsen dessouki Asked 12 years ago

Dear Jeff and Alois,

Hi great guys

My opponent is playing the above style. He has an excellent short serve returns and chop block and sidespin block that is executed from close to the table. He is also good in well-placed drives i.e he is a master of placement, but lacks real finishing power. He has a high hand speed, low foot speed, and medium power. All the game he uses pushes and drop shots. He has also very accurate forehand drives.

Could you please advise the tips on how to defeat this style?

I am 62 years old and my level is modest as during the game I frequently execute all strokes of the silver level and some of the gold level.

Thank you in advance and best regards,

Dr. Mohsen Dessouki - Egypt 


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago

Hi Mohsen,

Sounds like an interesting opponent.

I would play the ball mainly to his backhand.  I would try to wait till you have an opportunity to hit a strong ball.  If you can keep placing the ball wide to the backhand so that he can't execute his forehand drive, then he may start to get frustrated.

You should be in no hurry to attack as it sounds like he will play passively on the backhand side.  If you don't give him too much pace then the ball will stay quite slow in the rally.  Also if you don't give him too much spin then he won't have anything to work with.

It sounds like he might use a pimple on his backhand side.


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mohsen dessouki

mohsen dessouki Posted 12 years ago

Dear Alois and Jeff

What kind of sereve should i use ?

thanks

Mohsen


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago

I would use a backspin serve to his backhand.  This will give you a topspin ball return that you will be able to attack.

Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago

I would use a backspin serve to his backhand.  This will give you a topspin ball return that you will be able to attack.

mohsen dessouki

mohsen dessouki Posted 12 years ago

Alois .

I do not understand the last 2 lines in the 2st paragraph regading the pace and spin . could you please clarify .

thanks

Mohsen


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago

Hi Mohsen,

He will find it difficult to generate his own pace and spin so if you give he no speed then the rally will stay slow.  If you also don't put much spin on the ball then it is difficult for him to give you any spin.

Hope this clarifies it. 



sergio pouso cánive

sergio pouso cánive Posted 12 years ago

I have never seen a player playing that style, do you know any videos on youtube about it?

mohsen dessouki

mohsen dessouki Posted 12 years ago

sorry , i do not have any video for this style , however i have read the same features of this style in a book " table tennis steps for success " by Richard McAfee , chairpersonof the USATT s National couching Advisory committee .if you want scan copy , pls let me know .


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