Foot Position On The Forehand Loop

Hi Jeff and Alois,

I had always been taught to play the forehand loop with my right foot  back, at about a 45 degree angle to my left.. But as I watch the top players in the world like Ma Long and Zhang Jike, Ive noticed that they play the forehand with their feet parallel and place more emphasis on rotation and swinging in a circle, at least when looping from the Fh corner. Do you have any thoughts on this? What do you think the advantages/disadvantages are of this foot placement when Fh looping?

Thanks,

Daniel

Hi Daniel,

Because of the speed of the game they don’t have time to turn side on to the table to make the stroke.  They wouldn’t have time to get back for the next ball especially if it is on the backhand side.

You can’t get as much power as if you were side on but they feel that being ready for the next ball is more important.

If you have a lot of time you can turn side on for a finishing ball.