Defense techniques

Hi coach .

There is this player in my club that i come up against in leagues and finals i am a choppper and when i chop he can just smash it straight by me like its nothing. he uses 2 badly worn mark v rubbers on an offensive classic . Do you have any tips to get more back spin to stop him from doing this and also the ball comes at such speed i cant step back quick enough to chop so i am forced to counter top spin or block which are the generally weak parts off my game.

Hi Dylan,

To become a good defender takes time... probably more time than to become a good attacker.

To generate more spin on your chops, think about getting a finer brushing contact on the ball and also getting the contact faster.  It is the same principles as with a serve.

Get your bat more under the ball on contact.

The other thing you have to work with is your placement.  Think about keeping the ball deep on the table (close to the end line).  Also putting it in more difficult places for him.  Sometimes even though they have a strong forehand, it may be good to place the ball deep and wide into their forehand.  Some attackers like to attack with their forehand from their backhand corner against choppers. 

Early in the rally keep the ball short on the table so that they don't have a chance to get a good first attack while you are close to the table.

We will be making a lesson on this in our Match Strategy Course for Premium Members.