Defensive play

Hi Oswald,

It may seem like a dying breed but it is still a very legitimate way of playing.  Look at Joo Se Hyuk and Chen Weixing.  They have reached a very high level playing a defensive game.  One of the keys that sets the best defensive players apart today from those of an earlier era is their strong attacking forehand stroke.

Some basics for the defesive player to begin with are;

First to become very consistent with your defensive stroke.
Second aim to keep the ball low over the net.
Third keep the ball deep on the table.
Fourth develop a forehand attack.
Fifth try to be aggressive with your pushes in the early part of the rally to make sure the attacking player does not get an easy ball to attack.

Remember defensive players take a little longer to mature usually so be patient.