Long pimple twiddler

Hi Alois

One of my opponents has recently switched to long pimples on backhand. He has now become quite good with the long pimple and I usually target it when playing him because he has a very strong forehand loop. However he has been letting balls drop off the table on backhand below my sight and twiddles which gives me a different shot back. I quite often don't realise this until after I have hit the ball as it is quite apparent that I have misread his shot. How would you deal with this?

Thank you

Russell

Hi Russell,

Try to watch the flight of the ball carefully and also listen for the contact.  The rubber and pimples will make a different sound.  When you are watching him or playing him start to tune in more to the sound and flight of the ball when he plays with the different sides.