High ball, heavy underspin
Table Tennis Strokes and Technique
Last updated 9 years ago
Douglas Hill Asked 13 years ago
At my low level of play it is common to encounter balls that pop up with lots of underspin, often because someone misreads a topspin serve and tries to push it back. It is awkward to loop them when they're high. Is it best to smash them? If so, do you aim toward the point you want to hit and adjust the paddle angle based on your estimate of the spin, or do you raise your aiming point so as not to hit the net? Many players at my level seem to put high underspin balls into the net again and again.
Alois Rosario Answered 13 years ago
Hi Douglas,
I know exactly what you are talking about here. I have sat frustrated and watched many of my school students fall for that one.
If the ball is high enough you can smash it but you do have to adjust your bat angle to allow for the spin. Try to make a good crisp contact with the ball so that you don't allow the ball to sink into the rubber and spin. Probably the safest option though is to topspin the ball. Even though the ball is high you still need to lift the topspin a little to allow for the backspin.
Thoughts on this question
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Vidhya G Posted 10 years ago
Hi Alois,
In my case, the return for the same balls always seem to go long, not on the net. And I try to hit them flat. Can you please tell me what could be wrong with this? I end up losing a lot of points in this.
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 10 years ago
Hi Vidhya,
In that case it sounds like you need to hit the ball downwards more. One key factor is to get into position early so that you are ready to make the smash. Start with your bat high and hit through the ball.
Take a look at our video on the forehand smash for more ideas. This stroke is not as easy as it looks! It takes some practice to get it right.
Vidhya G Posted 10 years ago
This really helps. Thank You so much Jeff. I shall try this in next 10 days and let you know about my progress.
But just wanted to know, if this will work, when one gives a high return on a chop or spin. Because, mostly I face high balls, when opponent is either not able to chop back my serve (which has chop or spin) properly. OR sometimes, when they cant chop low, they chop return is high. Will this work or should those kind of high balls be returned with top spin?
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 10 years ago
It depends on how high the ball is. If it's above shoulder height you could use the forehand smash. If you feel more comfortable, even on the high balls you can also use a topspin. If it's below shoulder height, I personally would use a topspin.
SirLoops Alot Posted 9 years ago
This is especially frustrating for me because I occasionally use a BH topspin serve that fools some players. I can usually anticipate when they're going to pop it up, and if it comes to my FH, and can smash through the backspin somewhat consistently.
However if they return it high but short over the net far to my BH side, there's rarely enough time to step around and play a fh. Trying to loop a ball like that is also really awkward.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 9 years ago
Hi Dan,
It is frustrating to see a ball like that and not be able to put it away.
Make sure you don’t try and do too much with it if you are not in good position. Sometimes even a push out wide can win the point because they are expecting you to smash.
Ayesha Noon Posted 9 years ago
Would it be a good option to flick the ball if it's kind of high and has lots of backspin?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 9 years ago
As long as you still lift the ball to counter the backspin.
Ayesha Noon Posted 9 years ago
Even if the ball is high?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 9 years ago
If it is very high and close to the net then you can probably smash it. It is all a matter of feel and touch and learning with experience what you can do with the subtle variations of spin.
Ayesha Noon Posted 9 years ago
Thanks.
Vidhya G Posted 9 years ago
Hi Alois/Jeff,
I had commented earlier on this. I wanted to say, I implemented standing side ways, perpendicular to the table. That really helps. It has improved my returns of heavy balls. Thank you so much for the tips.
Regards
Vidhya
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 9 years ago
Good to hear it Vidhya.