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Ideal distance to return a smash

Strokes

Omonoiadam Hadjivasiliou
Omonoiadam Hadjivasiliou Asked 14 years ago

Hi.

Where i should stand if i have to reply a smash?

I often go too far and  i can't hit a dropshot back. If I stand too close, i don't have enough time to react.

Alois Rosario
Member Badge Alois Rosario Answered 14 years ago

Hi Omonoiadam,

You should move back to a distance where you can react and play a lob from around waist to shoulder height.  If you are too close you will find it difficult to react fast enough and if you are to far back you will give your opponent too much time and space to work with.

Getting a feel for this is experience.  Eventually you will just move to the best position.

I think my favourite player, Jan Ove Waldner, was the best at this.  It almost looked like players were smashing the ball straight to him because he could position himself so well. 

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Thoughts on this question (18)

Showing the latest 10 of 18 comments in conversation order.

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Omonoiadam Hadjivasiliou

Omonoiadam Hadjivasiliou Posted 14 years ago

Thanks. And have you managed to spell my name correctly yet or no? ;D
Ian Costello

Ian Costello Posted 14 years ago

Nope. :[
Alois Rosario

Member Badge Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 14 years ago

We did struggle with it.  Especially when we went to say it the other day.
Ian Costello

Ian Costello Posted 14 years ago

I was laughing to that!
Ian Costello

Ian Costello Posted 14 years ago

I tried it a second ago, and I got it! :]
Ian Costello

Ian Costello Posted 14 years ago

O-m-oh-d-ee-ah-d-uh-m H-aw-j-ee-v-e-s-i-l. That is how it's pronounced. :]
Ian Costello

Ian Costello Posted 14 years ago

Wait!! Let me try again. A-m-u-n-oa-d-ee-a-d-um H-ah-j-ee-v-e-s-i-l-oo! :]
Ian Costello

Ian Costello Posted 14 years ago

The 'A' sound in Omonodiadom is like 'ah' or 'aw'. 
Ian Costello

Ian Costello Posted 14 years ago

Alois got it!!!!!!!!! :]
Joe Cawley

Joe Cawley Posted 14 years ago

That video had me rollin!!  It's amazing when your mind keeps telling you to laugh!
Kaustubh Kulkarni

Kaustubh Kulkarni Posted 13 years ago

LoL laughter is infectious !!!! :D

Hi! I'm Alois from PingSkills.OmonoiaHaAHaAhahhahahahahhaha ! Loved it :P

Alois Rosario

Member Badge Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 13 years ago

Thanks Jeff!

D K

D K Posted 11 years ago

And if I want to chop a smash,should I wait it when it falls at my knees level or try to chop it when it is higher?
And also-should I make a powered brushing fast action or make somthing like shovel move to hold the ball on the bat for a long time-and risk that the ball will not have enough power to get on the table?

Alois Rosario

Member Badge Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago

Try to wait till the ball is at between knee and waist height.  Just play straight through the chop without a scooping action.  As it is travelling fast you can have a very vertical stroke.

D K

D K Posted 11 years ago

It surely is fast
But what confuses me is the fact that the ball is falling quite vertically.
Usually in an angle about 45°.

And have you any cues how to stop properly?
I have many times the problem that I must do a stroke during a full run

Alois Rosario

Member Badge Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago

Keep your legs wide and balanced as much as possible.

D K

D K Posted 11 years ago Latest

OK,I will try

It seems quite difficult though....I have the "closer leg first" habit

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