pushing

Andrew Pape Asked 14 years ago

Hi,

A top British player (a few decades ago) advises in his book that it's important not to rush push strokes. However, a friend of mine was coached to take the ball early on the rise when pushing. In this way, he could get it back low and short and quickly, preventing any loop or other attack shot being made. This seems to work, and indeed Jorgen Persson demonstrates the technique on the Donic Tricks DVD. When I try to take the ball early to push, however, I rush the shot and make lots of errors, when a gentle, slow push would at least keep the ball in play. I guess the top players can do what my friend did without rushing the shot, if they react quickly to the ball. I've found that when I do make a successful quick push return, my practice partner has to rush and his loop attempt is thwarted.

What advice would you have for pushing?

Cheers,

Andrew.

Alois Rosario Answered 14 years ago

HI Andrew,

Both methods that you have mentioned can work, depending on what feels comfortable for you.  I like to take the ball early off the bounce as I find it gives the opponent less time, but as you said you need to be in position early and then let the ball come to you rather than rushing out to meet it.  It is really a matter of getting your body in position early like with any other stroke so that you can play the stroke effectively.

The other option of waiting for the ball to rise and then push the ball faster is also legitimate.   When the ball is hit later and higher, you can naturally then hit the ball faster because it is being hit from a higher position in relation to the net.  However, when you hit the ball a little later it has also lost some of its own speed so you need to generate the seed yourself rather than relying on the pace that is on the ball.