Playing against slower or dead rubbers
Table Tennis Match Strategy
Last updated 9 months ago
Grenville Pereira Asked 8 years ago
Hi Alois / Jeff
Its been a long time since I have asked a question. How are you doing ?
These days I am trying to focus more on match strategy. I lost with a player in a tournament in the finals having rubbers which resembled more like antispin or dead rubber. I found that the ball was coming a bit slower and I found it affecting my timing. The player also had an occasional flat smash which looked like my spin was having no effect at all.
What would the best strategy be against a player having slower or dead rubbers.
I know that it is more the nerves in a tournament, never the less I wanted to have a strategy rather than having no plan before the match and check with you on the same.
Thanks
Regards
Grenville
Alois Rosario Answered 8 years ago
Hi Grenville,
It has been a while. Welcome back.
To play against the slower rubber, think about the effect the rubber is having. If you play with less spin they can not generate as much spin themselves. They rely on the spin that you are putting on the ball. If you put more topspin the ball will come back with some backspin and stop on the table.
Stay closer to the table because the ball will not come through as fast. It may mean a slight change in your habit. Usually when we hit the ball fast, it comes back fast to us, so now you need to change your mind to react to the ball coming back slower than you are used to. It may be a matter of just allowing yourself the time to adjust to this change of pace.
Thoughts on this question
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Kevin Rogers Posted 9 months ago
I have a lot of problems with these types of players too. You can't counterhit normally as the ball will just go into the net. I do attempt to loop or heavy topspin. Often these players do not put enough spin for me to loop. The other option is to get into a pushing rally. wait for the right ball and attack it. In the meantime they poke around and try to make me commit a pushing error. What is a good strategy for beating this type of player? What skills should I practice?
Kevin Rogers Posted 9 months ago
One strategy is to practice with some of these players and gain confidence and consistency in attacking their shots.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 9 months ago
Hi Kevin,
Practising against the rubber will definitely help. It is often about understanding the spin that comes back to you and being able to adjust to this.
Waiting for the right ball to attack can also be good if they are not attacking at all. I find it is easier to set up the rally earlier by playing a good push to the slow rubber and getting a soft topspin ball back that I can attack.