Closing the bat on the backhand side

Strokes

arthur stewart Asked 12 years ago

dear sirs;

I have a problem closing the bat and hitting on the backhand side on a consistent basis. if i am able to draw back, close the paddle and make a simple counter hit it can work. i mostly seem to nearly always go back to an open bat and keep the ball in play but without any offense. i also often stop the swing halfway which is really hard on my shoulder. any suggestions?

Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago

Hi Arthur,

In training now think about turning your bat slightly forward and relax the hand slightly so that your bat reaches the finish position each time. The tighter you get the less follow through you will have and the less accuracy and fluency of the stroke. It is a bit of a vicious cycle.

At first really focus on the finish position of the stroke only. Make sure the bat gets to there, even if the ball is missing the table or going into the net.

Training is the key here. Try to do this repetitively as often as you can so that it feels more natural and then you can think about utilising it in matches as well.

Question actions

Notify me of updates Add to Favourites

Back to Questions

Recommended Video

Backhand Push

In this PingSkills tutorial, we break down the backhand push - a crucial defensive stroke in table tennis that every player should master. Whether you're facing an opponent’s backspin or looking to neutralize their attack, the backhand push is your go-to stroke. We’ll show you the correct starting position, feet position, and finshing position to generate consistent backspin while maintaining control and precision. In this video, you’ll learn:

The technique behind the backhand push
How to handle backspin effectively
Tips to keep your opponent on the defensive

Perfect for players of all levels, this step-by-step guide will help you add a reliable defensive stroke to your arsenal.

Watch Now

Thoughts on this question (2)

Rory Goulding Posted 12 years ago

For me the relaxation technique that Alois mentioned is key.

Not sure if this helps or not, but when I think about the motion of the BH topspin stroke, I think about throwing a frisbee.

This 'frisbee' technique does use a lot of wrist motion and may be too 'advanced' for you. It creates a lot of topspin and is a very relaxed stroke.

hope that translates.

Rory.

arthur stewart Posted 11 years ago

thanks for the suggestion. i think being too tight is a lot of the problem in not being able to follow through on the backhand counter hit. thanks so much s sincerely charlie stewart

Become a free member to post a comment about this question.