Using my short pips
Table Tennis Service Return
Last updated 11 years ago
Ted Marin Asked 11 years ago
My regular opponents are: 1. penholder that has good control and placement and is very good at the reverse backhand. 2. shakehand player who is very fast, has good control and placement and uses regular rubbers. They both have some sidespin serves that they consistently drop at the edges of the table, these serves come fast and when they hit the table on my side they curve out.
I find that the short pips aren't very effective in blocking these shots, the ball reacts similar to when I use the regular rubber. I know it has to do with footwork and position and racket angle, but sometimes in a game situation you don't have the luxury to be in perfect position all the time.
I do notice the short pip is more effective when they serve the ball short or more to the middle of the table.
I would like some tips on how I can effectively use my short pips and also how to counter these serves especially when they come to my backhand, as that is also where I have the short pips. when they serve to my forehand, I usually just topspin back the sidespin serve when it is fast and long and I do a kind of a sort of flip to drop the ball short over the net.
Right now I don't mind if the ball is returned high, I just want to make more of my returns land on their side of the table, I can then learn to adjust angle etc to get the ball lower or spinier. these are friendly games so I don't mind losing as long as I see my landing rate improving, then I know it will be only a matter of time before I start winning. Right now I usually get 7 or more points against them and occasionally take 2 or 3 games from them.
thanks for any advice.
Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago
Hi Ted,
Try to push or chop the ball back on the backhand side. The short pips will control some of the spin for you. Then you can try hitting the ball crisply with the pips. Again the pips will dull some of the spin but if you hit it crisply the ball will not have time to grip into the rubber.
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Ted Marin Posted 11 years ago
Hi,
what angle would I need to push or chop from. the push and chop work well when the side top spin comes around the middle of the backhand side, but when it goes to the corner or edges, it doesn't work so good. I can handle most types of spin when they come around the center area of the table middle BH to middle FH, it is the ends that do me in. the sort pips is 1.8mm so blocking soft balls, usually make it end up in the net.
when you say crisply, you mean a good solid whack and not a brush, which I tend to do quite a lot. do any of the video answers you have done for others, demonstrate this. is this in any video lessons?
Thanks Alois.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Hi Ted,
By a crisp contact I mean a sharp contact where the ball doesn't stay on the rubber for very long. It can still be controlled but sharp.
If the ball is wide just try to maintain the control of your hand and get the stroke moving in the right direction.
The angle of your bat depends on the amount of spin on the ball. The more spin there is the more open you need to have your bat.
Ted Marin Posted 11 years ago
thanks for the advice, I have tried to make the sharp contact, but I will need more practice, because my first reaction is to Top spin or under spin the ball and I end up getting a brushing contact.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Let me know how you progress.