Receiving very (yes very) fast long services

Hi Knarf,

Sometimes, when the ball is travelling very fast, it will generate a little topspin by itself due to its half-rolling-half-bouncing movement on the table. So if you see a quick-serve, close your bat angle a little bit to counter the topspin even though your opponent did not generate it :)

Hi Rosario,

Thanks for your answer. I feel that I'll try to return with a relaxed hand, as if I was absorbing the speed. I trust I did it sometimes without being aware of it. And it worked. At least, the ball came back on the table... ;o) But now that you mentioned this point, I'll try to do it "consciously". For the small topspin effect, it should come on a second time probably... I'll let you know.


John Kao, thanks for your explanation. Yes, it is surely the case: the rotation comes from the speed when the ball bounces on the table and does like a topspin. The problem is that I tried to lower the angle of the bat, as you said, but the difference  between: the ball hits the bat and "flies" beyond the table of the opponent,  and, the ball hits the edge of the bat is very thin. I trust less than 0.5°.

So, I will work on the "relaxed" hand and then, once I can return, work on a small topspin to surprise my opponent. 

Thanks for your kind support, 

All the best 

knarf 

Dear all,
Just a quick return after our exchanges one month ago. Once again, thanks for your advices.
I must say that I quite improved my returns. My opponent is also now less sure to win the point on the serves as he used to do. So now he is less confident against me and tries other serves, but with less efficiency.
I first change a little bit my position. I slightly step back from the table (maybe 30, max 40 cm). It helped me to avoid to just make a block against the served ball, but have a bit more time to make a small move with the bat (with a relaxed hand), either light topspin or backspin.
I also could change the length of the return. Sometimes long, or shorter. Then pushing him to be less efficient on the 3rd ball.
If my return is long, I then step back a little bit again (as shown  in your video Counter Topspin from Mid Distance). I could then counterattack and play my game.
If my return is short, he then usually has to lift up the ball, generally a bit higher than he would like, and then I can smash it, or put my opponent  in a difficult situation.
I do not say that I can do it everytime,  but at least, I am less in difficulty against his fast serves.
Thanks again for your kind help,
All the best
knarf

Great news Knarf.  Well done on making the changes and improvements.

Thanks for the support.

I wish you and Jeff, all the best for this New Year. Long live PingSkills!

Kind regards, 

knarf

Thanks Knarf.