Strokes
Hi! Whenever I play with my practice partner, I always lose. I can't even return his serve properly because of its heavy topspin. I try to flick it, it flies off the table. I try to push it, it ALSO flies off the table. I can't flick it with a flat contact because the ball is low. How do I deal with this kind of ball?
Hi Romeo,
If the ball has topspin it will at some stage be above the level of the net after it bounces on your side. This is the point that you need to hit it. If you hit it too late or early it can be more difficult to flick it faster onto the table.
The topspin should actually help you to flick the serve.
How is it that a player can always seem to get back those extremely fast topspins? Is it their incredible anticipation? The key to good anticipation actually lies in tracking the ball well. When you watch the ball closely your peripheral vision will pick up your opponents movements and with lots of practice those signs will help you anticipate what your opponent is going to do. This happens naturally with lots of experience. So it it your job to ensure that you are tracking the ball really carefully.
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Johan B Posted 9 years ago
Maybe it's got a nasty dipping trajectory after the bounce?
If you can't get the timing right to flick it flat at the right moment, you can try to block it, or add some topspin (gets your ball to dip) or sidespin to your flick (avoids the spin)
Romeo Chua Posted 9 years ago
Those are very good suggestions. Yes the ball does dip a lot. :) Thanks!