Counterdriving against Underspin

Hello,

I have a Korean coach that I respect a lot, but I have one question about their teaching approach. The coach really emphasizes delaying teaching beginning students to topspin or loop. I don't disagree with this, but instead of teaching topspin, teaches students to first hit or counter against underspin by opening the racket more than a normal, counterdrive stroke.

I haven't really seen this stroke taught or emphasized in any table tennis training literature. So I'm wondering if this is an older style technique that has fallen out of favor over the years, or if this is something that is still frequently taught? 

My second question is, when is the appropriate time to teach topspin or loop after students have learned to counterdrive and push fairly well? I know the answer to this is probably "it depends" but generally speaking, how long should one wait?

 Thanks! 

Hi Walt,

Coaches have a lot of different strategies but I prefer to teach the forehand topspin to players to counter a backspin ball.  The flat hit does develop a better feel for the spin that is on the ball.

I tend to teach the topspin quite early as an understanding of what topspin can do.