Losing against weaker opponents
Table Tennis Discussion
Last updated 8 years ago
Karel Jõeleht Asked 8 years ago
I am practicing table tennis for at least 3 times a week. Always trying to get my technique and serves better. Now the problem is that on the weekends I play against an opponent who does not practice but just plays on Sundays. He does not have a proper technique to play but somehow always manages to get the ball on the table. He uses a very heavy backspin serve which is also really close to the net so I have to push it back but usually after a few pushes he can just smash it down. I am a much more experienced player and I know my techniques are better but I am just not used to playing this kind of style, he usually does not do any forehand topspin strokes but just waits for me to push the ball back too high and then somehow manages to shoot it the way that either I don't get it back or I get it back too high so he can continue the attacking. He does not have a proper technique to even make the forehand topspin stroke which makes me even more frustrated since I know I can attack the ball better.
What should I do against this? Should I learn to do the banana flick in order to attack the low backspin ball back?
Alois Rosario Answered 8 years ago
Hi Karel,
This can be frustrating. The first thing is to keep focusing on your technique and getting it better. The reason that good technique is good technique is because it will allow you to progress further with your game. Other technique is OK for now but it has limitations with how much you can improve with it.
It may take time but keep your focus.
Also take a look at this previous question and PingPod on the topic of the Ping Pong Zone.
PingPod #34 – Can You Escape the Ping Pong Zone? - Table ...
How Can I Escape the Ping Pong Zone?
Thoughts on this question
Become a free member to post a comment about this question.
Josef Novy Posted 8 years ago
Actually this is a very common style in lower competitions.
I have few advices: see which side he is not so strong hitter (usually backhand) and use it more.
Carefully watch his pushes - he probably sometimes disguises no spin - this is why you return the ball high. And attack this ball instead.
Johan B Posted 8 years ago
Recognising the nospin push like Josef said is probably the most useful tactic long term, but you can also just give him a dose of his own medicine by varying your own pushes to get an easier ball to attack. When I play against players who push a lot, I find it useful to add a bit of sidespin to my pushes, which make it a lot harder for them to keep their next ball low and makes it more awkward for them to attack it as well. I also find it useful to vary the placement a lot (it's harder to keep the ball low if they have to switch between FH and BH pushing often).
Tushar Verma Posted 8 years ago
The key to win against this type of player is to use variation in strokes as Johan said use sidespin push as a surprise and vary the placement try to push the balls slow and shorter on forehand and long, fast, unexpected and heavy push at the backhand. This will make your opponent stun for a fraction of second and he will make a mistake.
Mike Deubig Posted 8 years ago
Keep in mind, smashing on a regular basis like he does is not easy, it does require skill and practice to do that. While your technique is better, your in the dark on how to beat him. Firstly, you should serve more topsin to him which will allow you to get into rallies rather than a chopping contest. Secondly, try to make him move with your chops, vary them in terms of speed and spin, at times go long right way, use angles to make it difficult for him to smash. Sometimes, open the game up with flicking and then get into a rally with him. If you play three or more strong balls against this guy in a topsin rally, most likely your going to win points. Good luck! :)
Karel Jõeleht Posted 8 years ago
Thank you all for the good advice! I sure have a better idea now what to do and hopefully it will work :)
Karel Jõeleht Posted 8 years ago
Also another problem that i have is that he gives me balls which are really low to the table so i'm unfamiliar of attacking this kind of balls. Usually when i play at my club people there play strong topspin strokes which i am familiar with and quite comfortable but if the ball is too close to the table i struggle to attack it and usually make an error when trying to lift the ball with topspin.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 8 years ago
Hi Karel,
Take a look at this lesson, Below the Table Level which will help you with this stroke.
Tushar Verma Posted 8 years ago
I have seen some player flicking their wrist below the table to pick up underspin. Is that really work with sidespin?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 8 years ago
Yep that can work.
Karel Jõeleht Posted 8 years ago
Thank you so much for the advise!