Footwork problem for forehand topspin off back spin
Table Tennis Strokes and Technique
Last updated 11 years ago
Soham Kulkarni Asked 11 years ago
Hi Alois,
Recently while playing against a modern chopper for the first time I noticed a big flaw in me .i don't have a consistent forehand topspin off back spin . My opponent has a good control with his chops and he puts them accurately to corners.
I noticed that I am getting too side on for the stroke, almost like that of a pendulum serve stance, for the first few about 2-3 topspin stroke I am able to generate some sidespin with topspin. Soon when his chops are all over the table I find it hard to return them. The ball usually drops to the net or flies off table as I am caught cramped.
i watched your videos on topspin off backspin And I am also able to get a good backswing and a shoulder turn, just the feet position bothers me .
how to improve the situation?
thanks in advance
Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago
Hi Soham,
That does sound like you are getting too side on for the topspin. Try to be more square on with your feet and use your shoulder and waist rotation. Try to contact the ball with pure topspin rather than sidespin. The sidespin will make your stroke less accurate and also limit the potential for speed with the stroke.
Because you have a little more time your feet can be slightly side on to the table. Take another look at our lesson on the Forehand Topspin Off Backspin.
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Soham Kulkarni Posted 11 years ago
thanks a lot . Wil try that and keep you posted.
Soham Kulkarni Posted 11 years ago
Hi Alois,
how do I start correcting this stroke? I tried it today and wasn't able to perform it correctly . Got only about 2/10 strokes correctly . Even while executing the correct technique it felt awkward. I even asked my training partner about the stroke he said there was little topspin on the stroke.every time I got the technique correct there was very little topspin on the stroke .
mostly my opponent serves a tomahawk sidebackspin to my backhand curling into my crossover point .i manage to return it towards his middle with a backhand topspin .he then gives a long heavy back spin chop to my forehand side .
This chop I am unable to lift properly as he is ready on his forehand side to hit a winner if I lift the ball a bit .
what areas should I work upon?
thanks in advance.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Hi Soham,
Still focus on the finish position of the stroke. See if you can get a more brushing contact on the ball. This will generate the topspin and also get the shape of the stroke correct. If the ball is going too high, then you can just tilt your bat forward slightly to get the ball lower while still maintaining the same start and finish positions and the brushing contact.
Soham Kulkarni Posted 11 years ago
thanks for the quick answer .
does doing some shadow practicing help? As I am all alone in my colony . My training partners have gone for a tournament.
please suggest some ways to do solo practicing, as they won't be available for about 2 weeks.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Hi Soham,
Yes shadow play is a good way to improve your stroke if you don't have a practice partner.
Soham Kulkarni Posted 11 years ago
Thanks for the super quick answer …
DHS Lover Posted 11 years ago
Soham Kulkarni Posted 11 years ago
I am no pro (yet):-D on this topic but i found that having a good backswing and shoulder turn with brushing contact does increase the spin . I have problem with consistency of the stroke which I am working upon but often when I hit it correctly it is a winner.
Soham Kulkarni Posted 11 years ago
Hi Alois,
I practised the stroke today with correct feet positions. for the first few balls it seemed strange but now i am quite good at it, but in the matches played today he used to play about 4-5 topspin balls to my backhand which i would hit with a topspin return and then he played forehand topspin which curved away from me/my forehand.i couldn't manage a efficient return.
i even face the same problem when he tried the backhand side backspin serve which was long and curved away from the table .
i read your previous posts and tried to bring my nose close to the ball while playing but it resulted in a shot which had feeble spin, and my practice partner is specially good at finishing any loose balls.
some pointers please?
Thanks in advance
Soham
DHS Lover Posted 11 years ago
Anyway, shadow play mean practicing the start and finish position without the ball right ? About this stroke, how fast should i brush the ball ? The ball often goes out :(
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Soham,
Think about playing a stronger topspin on this ball. If you brush the ball fast you will counteract the sidespin on the ball. It sounds like you are getting into a good position so now think about the stroke you are playing.
Soham Kulkarni Posted 11 years ago
Hmm.… thanks coach . Will try them .
Soham Kulkarni Posted 11 years ago
Hi coach,
Can you please tell me how to structure training to get the perfect stroke with correct footwork.
I tried to have a partner feed me backspin multi balls and i fared very badly. Even though 8/10 times i got the ball on the table it had very feeble topspin, even my partner was amazed as i usually get good topspin whilst matches but it was using a improper side on foot position .
Should i start the stroke from scratch,like from counterhits with correct position?
please some suggestions to get rid of this dilemma as i have lost a considerable amount of confidence in my game which is leading to frustrated moments as i am unable to return even a chop to my forehand with a strong topspin.
Regards
Soham
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Hi Soham,
Try being more square on if you feel like you are too side on. Make sure you are in a balanced position and then execute the stroke we show you in the lesson on the Forehand Topspin Off Backspin. If you do these basics well you will improve it. Take time. Don't worry if you take a step backwards every now and then. Soon you will take 2 steps forward.
Soham Kulkarni Posted 11 years ago
Thanks for Your tips coach .