Preventing opponent from playing down the middle
Table Tennis Match Strategy
Last updated 11 years ago
Andrew Pape Asked 11 years ago
Hi Alois,
I had a practice partner over. He's usually in trouble because I angle the ball too quickly for him and mess up his loops. This time was different. He kept playing down the centre of the table. My angled blocks were cut off. Neither of us had an advantage playing down the middle, so that gave my him around 50% chance of winning the point. This was in his favour, as I'd normally win about 70% of rallies in my current form. He told me later that he'd just decided to play like a brick wall. I was able to keep the ball in play for many shots, but kept going for shots that weren't there. I found myself losing about 10 long points in a row, which was tiring and frustrating.
I'm wondering what to do against an opponent who plays down the middle? I guess I should step left and loop-drive the ball down the centre of the table at his body, hopefully without telegraphing the action?
Cheers,
Andrew.
Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago
Hi Andrew,
Your idea is good. There is only a middle if you are standing still. So keep mobile and try to watch the ball and move to a good position to be able to play the ball in that position.
Also if you start with a wide serve it is harder for them to tie you up in the middle.
Thoughts on this question
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Andrew Pape Posted 11 years ago
Hi Alois,
thanks for your advice. The comment about the middle sounded cryptic, but I see what you mean. I had not considered wider serves helping me. That actually brings up the service action. I have lost many points with heavy cross-court top/side-spin serves because the receiver would luckily return the ball deep and high to my b/hand. I then went to hit the unnaturally high ball. You later told me not to be obliged to hit. So, given that I serve wide, is there a serve that would prevent the awkward 3rd ball? Maybe a heavy top-spin but with little side-spin?
(That's assuming a f/hand pendulum. Perhaps a backhand pendulum serve would be effective also, so long as I get the angle?)
Cheers,
Andrew
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Probably a faster serve that doesn't give them much time to think about their own placement is better. Their natural reaction will be to go cross court back to you.
Andrew Pape Posted 11 years ago
Hi Alois,
Great tip - thanks again. I'll experiment with the serves, following your guidelines.
Cheers,
Andrew.