How to deal with or prevent a sidespin shot

Jasper Low Asked 2 months ago

Hi Alois, Recently there's this match I played where the guy does a strange looking shot and the ball looks like it should come straight to my forehand but upon the bounce, it changes its trajectory and turns inwards to my elbow. There's no long pimples involved. It's all inverted rubber. It doesn't look like there's sidespin but it just turns inwards without that sidespin trajectory. I just call this the wobble shot. I don't know how else to explain it. So... What's happening there and how can I return this or prevent this shot? Also I have no idea why it happens. 

Alois Rosario Answered 1 month ago

Hi Jasper,

The “wobble shot” you’re describing does happen in table tennis, even with inverted rubbers, and it can be really confusing because it looks like it should come straight but then bends into your elbow after the bounce. There are a few reasons why this happens even when you don’t see obvious sidespin.

The ball must be carrying some sidespin.
It might be subtle, it might not show in the flight, and the stroke might look like a normal topspin, but even a small brushing contact on the side of the ball is enough to make it kick sideways after the bounce. A lot of players, especially at amateur level, don’t realise they’re adding sidespin.

Watch the opponent’s contact, not the flight If the racket face is even slightly turning inwards, you’ll know the ball will bend towards your elbow. Train yourself to read the contact, not the flight.

Position slightly more to your backhand corner. This opens your forehand and reduces the exposure of your elbow. If the opponent loves this shot, they’re probably aiming there intentionally.

Keep your stance active and adjust early. Once you see the bounce starting to turn, take a quick small adjustment step. Don’t wait for the ball to come to you. Meet it before it gets too close to your body.

Attack the ball before it can “kick”. If you catch it early off the bounce, the sidespin or wobble effect is reduced. That early contact neutralises the kick.

If you’re unsure, play to your safest response: For most players this is a simple topspin stroke with a firm wrist and stable racket angle. Let the spin come in and brush up through it.