Playing against pimples

Sharazz Ali Asked 9 years ago

There is someone in my club with pimples on his backhand and regular rubber on his forehand. I cannot seem to beat him at all.

When he pushes with his pimples and I push back, the ball either pops or go just high enough for him to land a killer smash (usually wide down my backhand side). And when I try to topspin against his push, the ball pops off the table. I noticed a lot of players from other clubs also adapting this technique as well. They use the pimples to force a high no spin ball to which they can just put it away. 

This player that I am speaking of is quite highly ranked because a lot of orthodox players like myself find it very difficult to adapt to his style.

Any advice to give me and my fellow pingskillers.

Thanks and Keep of the great work.

Shezie!

Alois Rosario Answered 9 years ago

Hi Sharazz,

It sounds like he has Long pimples on the backhand side.  With the long pimples he can’t generate much spin so even though he plays a shot that looks like a push or chop there isn’t any spin.  That is why you are lifting it high or off the end of the table.

It is a matter of getting used to the spin that it produces and realising there isn’t as much.  One you do that, you will start to be able to play these sorts of players more easily.

For our Premium members we have a Match Strategy lesson on Playing Against Long Pimples which will help.