Dealing with slow shots and footwork

Hetal Shah Asked 13 years ago

I am generally good against players who have a good backspin or loops, but fail big time against players who just lift my backspin and other shots aka I am failing to close the loop on backhand smashes or forehand smashes.

 I typically stand 2 to 2.5 steps behind the table. 

My question is w/regards to banking in on opportunities as well as how the footwork and technique should be for smashing from both sides of the hand.

2nd question: I reviewed your footwork video, the technique I have adopted is for forehand serve or shot, I take my left foot forward (right handed player) hence I can put my left shoulder down and get a natural downward swing and vica-versa for backhand shots. The reason I am doing so is to generate more power in my shots or else my shots are ver yweak.Is that a wrong thing to do?  

3rd question: What is the best way to get a stronger forehand and backhand loop mastered? 

Your videos have been exceptionally educating and I love all the addition.

Thank you!!!!

Hetal 

Alois Rosario Answered 13 years ago

Hi Hetal,

When the player is giving you a no spin slower ball you need to generate your own speed.  This is where technique plays a big part.  Make sure you don't try to do anything too difficult on these balls.  Just make sure you play the shot correctly and play forward on the ball to get some more speed on it.

For smashing you can be quite side on to the table so that you can generate more power.  YOu can get side on because you have more time.  Normally we stand quite straight to the table because of time restrictions. 

With your normal forehand make sure you are not getting your left foot too far forward because this will restrict your backhand.  Having it a little forward is fine.

To get your loops mastered, unfortunately there is no short cut.  It is a matter of making sure your technique is good and then doing it as often as you can.

Thanks for the feedback about our videos.