Left-handed Troubles

Hello!

First of all, I have watched a lot of your videos that you've so graciously posted on YouTube, and they have been a great help to a self-trained individual, such as myself.  I really enjoy watching your videos and the straight-forward, simple approach you have to these training videos.

As a self-trained, left-handed player, I have primarily faced off against right-handed individuals.  It seems as though the vast majority of players I seem to have access to are right-handed.  It also seems that most of these players favor their forehand shots, and, as a result, I have developed a nice backhand stroke; however, my forehand stroke leaves a lot to be desired.

When the ball travels to left-hand side of the table (from my point of view), I am finding it difficult to make the transition to the forehand side to make proper contact with the ball.  It either dives into the net, or it flies towards the sky, no matter what I try to do to correct it.

I know that this will come with more playing and practice, but I was hoping you had some tips for a left-handed player in a right-handed player's world to getting my forehand on track.  I feel that as a left-handed player, I could have a real advantage in a match, as there aren't that many of us out there, in proportion to the right-handed population, especially if I could get my forehand stroke down as well as I have my backhand stroke.

Thanks!

Hi Neil,

One of the things to do is work on your backhand down the line.  By doing this, the natural ball for the right hander is to then put the ball to your forehand side.  You also tend to expect the ball to come there so you are a little more ready.

If they are changing the direction first down the line to your forehand then it can be a more awkward ball because the ball is swinging in to your body from their forehand side.

The other thing to think about if they do play down the line from their forehand to your forehand is to turn your wrist back a little more.  This will allow you to hit behind the ball more cleanly.