Playing a blocker

Hi Alois & Jeff, I've asked a similar question in the past but I'm still having trouble... This blocker I play is SO hard to beat! He can return most of my attacks, which are mostly slow spinny topspins... So I thought I would change it up and hit it flatter and that wins me some points... But I can't do that all the time because that stroke is still rough... In the end the games I play with him are close like: 9-11 or 8-11    One of my tactics is that after putting back and sidespin I slip a topspin serve at him and he pops it up high, and then I either topspin it or just hit it flat and fast... This works often but most of the time he just out defends me and I end up making a mistake...

Anyway could you help me against this opponent?

Thanks so much guys!

Collin

Hey Collin,

If you are getting to 8 or 9 points then you are very competitive against this player. If you've been following Alois' advice and started to vary your speed and spin then I wouldn't change too much tactically. You might just need to improve your consistency slightly. 1 or 2 points is not a big difference.

It's good that you are mixing up your serve and confusing your opponent. Keep this up and work on getting that one extra ball back on the table. Soon you'll be winning 11-9!