Float balls

Hi Alois/Jeff

I have been playing for a long time and even do some basic coaching (doing my level 2 course in the new year) so I like to think I have an idea about most areas of TT. However, my one real blind spot is playing players who predominantly play float balls ! I like a bit of spin on the ball as it makes my mind up as to how to play the ball. With float I feel all at sea and it feels like I'm trying to thread a needle at 12 yards ! I know I should be attacking these balls but I end up knocking them long. I then stop doing this as I'm just losing points and finish by playing my opponents game. I have thought about the BH sidespin flick that you have a video on and also wondered about letting the ball float long and then putting sidespin on chops to give my opponent something to think about. Any ideas how I can solve this problem ?

Thanks

Steve Fuller

Hi Steve,

I know this can be frustrating as it seems like a ball with no spin should be easy to attack. The problem is we don't face this type of ball that often. Usually there is some backspin or topspin on the shot.

You should be trying to attack these float balls with a topspin stroke. You mentioned you are hitting the ball off the end quite a lot. This means that you are probably seeing these type of balls in your mind more like a backspin ball and trying to lift them too much. Think of them more like a ball someone has blocked. Try using a more horizontal stroke and also make sure that you are still brushing the ball. You want to get plenty of topspin on the ball to increase your margin of error.

I wouldn't recommend the sidespin chop as a regular tactic. As a surprise it will be OK but once you get more confident at attacking these balls you will cause your opponent much more trouble.

Let me know if this helps you out.