Crossover Point

I am a right handed player.  I am playing against a left handed player who is a defensive blocking type player who primarily uses his backhand to return everything, even for shots that most people would use their forehand for.  He also returns almost every shot to my cross over point between my forehand and backhand, thereby keeping me handcuffed for the most part as well as being pinned to one side of the table, my backhand side.  What is the best way to counter and defend against this tactic?

Hi Robert,

I would put a few balls wide to his forehand as this is what he is protecting by playing so many backhands.

Play the first ball to his backhand and then wide to his forehand or the other way around.  You don't need to hit the ball too fast.  He wants the pace in the rally so slow it down by spinning the ball slower.  You will probably find that he won't like the slow spin ball to his forehand.

You also need to move around and try to cover more court with your forehand.  You can step right over a few times to be able to play forehands from the middle of the table.  This will give him something different to look at.

Give it a try and let me know how it goes.