Help against a chopper

Table Tennis Match Strategy

Last updated 7 years ago

Paul Porter

Paul Porter Asked 12 years ago

Hi,

I am an offensive player having trouble with a chopper with long pimples.  I can sometimes return his chops with loops, but I am not very consistent.  Are there any other options when I receive a chop that is deep on the table or should I just work on improving my backhand and forehand loops?  I saw your video on the drop shot when the chops are shorter and will try to work on that shot.

Thanks,

Paul

Jeff Plumb

Jeff Plumb Answered 12 years ago

Hi Paul,

One simple idea is to use a topspin and then push tactic.  So you alternate between topspin and push shots.  Wen you topspin and they chop the ball it comes back with heavy backspin.  By pushing the next ball you are releasing the backspin and getting a topspin ball for you to attack.

We have a lesson on this in our Premium lessons.  It is one of the lessons you receive when you join up.  There is a free 7 day trial so you can join up and watch this lesson straight away.  If you don't want to stay as a Premium member you can always unsubscribe before the 7 days and you won't have to pay a thing. 

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Thoughts on this question

Paul Porter

Paul Porter Posted 12 years ago

Thanks a lot.  I tried this tactic today.  I was able to set up more balls to attack.  Once I get my timing down and learn to be a little more patient, I think this will work well for me. 
Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago

Yes, just give it time.  It will get even better with more experience against it.
Peter Rod

Peter Rod Posted 12 years ago

  Sorry Mr Rosario; Just to be cleared of:

"One simple idea is to use a topspin and then push tactic. (Here is clear) So you alternate between topspin and push shots.  When you topspin and they chop the ball it comes back with heavy topspin.(Do you mean here that the ball comes with heavy topspin or backspin?) By pushing the next ball you are releasing the backspin and getting a topspin ball for you to attack."

Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago

Yes sorry, I should have written that the long pimples will reverse the spin and so the ball will come back with backspin.
Jeff Plumb

Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago

I've just updated the original answer to say backspin!
Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago

Thanks Jeff
Peter Rod

Peter Rod Posted 12 years ago

Thanks
Peter Rod

Peter Rod Posted 12 years ago

I´ve just tried it yesterday though I know it needs to be shaped I was pretty happy about, still to go. Thanks both of you, great videos and great help.
Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago

No worries.  Glad we got it sorted.
Ji-Soo Woo

Ji-Soo Woo Posted 12 years ago

Just curious...if you were coaching a chopper and he was playing against someone who had watched your video, and was doing all the things you recommended (alternating push and attack, exploiting the fact that a LP push against push will result in an easily attacked weak topspin), what would you recommend the chopper do to counter this tactic?
Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago

I would advise the chopper to attack the pushed balls or block the attacked balls when possible to upset the rhythm of the attacker.  Perhaps do a few 3rd ball attacks as well.  Also make the chopped ball more difficult for the attacker to topspin by pushing them fast and deep to difficult positions.
Ian Costello

Ian Costello Posted 12 years ago

Smart thinking.
M V

M V Posted 12 years ago

I love the way you guys change your styles to explain concepts more clearly.

I saw elements of koji matsuhita there in the way Jeff changed his style.

:)

 

 

Jeff Plumb

Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago

Thanks M V!

:) 

Mohammad Hassan

Mohammad Hassan Posted 11 years ago

What is Jeffs style:)

Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago

He is an attacking player that likes to topspin on both sides.

TranHung LamVien

TranHung LamVien Posted 10 years ago

dear Alois!

i love ping pong!i watched your video!it is useful for me!

today! i meet  a person who play same way! i try do your instruction! i like it!but i have failed!he also hit me with your left hand as that! but I have already won over many hands! While having a left hand to defeat so! I really feel sad! Thank you for listening to me! I speak English very poorly! hope you understood! Wish you always healthy and happy! I'm always interested in rewarding your instructions! because I love ping pong...

Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 10 years ago

Hi Tran,

That is OK.  Try to learn from the experience of playing a different player.

Richard Lieberman

Richard Lieberman Posted 10 years ago

Thanks,

My main opponent is a chopper,  and it makes me crazy!.  I will try your idea tomorrow!

Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 10 years ago

Good luck Richard.  Let us know how it goes.

Vinh Cao duy

Vinh Cao duy Posted 7 years ago

It's great, you both, Mr Alois and Jeff. I have some times to practice TT with my older player, he like playing with long pimple racket. He does as a chopper and I try to return his chopping shots , topspin off his backspin. As his return short, I somestime use soft push instead of  heavy topspin, then a smash right after  he give me a topspin back.

kathy mckelvey

kathy mckelvey Posted 7 years ago

Still trying to understand offense and defense choppers. Thank you both for the videos!!

Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 7 years ago

Hi Kathy,

Offensive choppers just tend to take the opportunity to attack when they can especially on their forehand side.

kathy mckelvey

kathy mckelvey Posted 7 years ago

Thank you for your feedback!!

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