Returning backspin

Robert Sticha Asked 15 years ago

What a great website!

I watched your video regarding the forehand against backspin...

I've been told by someone quite skilled and knowledgable that in order to return back spin I should begin the stroke below the ball with the face of the bat OPEN. (depending on the level of spin) However, the guy was not talking about a looping stroke per se but rather a method/stroke to get most balls over the net and on to the table.

I like what I see in your video. Is that considered a "loop?" And whether it is or not, it doesn't appear that the angle of the bat is open. It actually appears a bit closed.

Hope you can clear up my confusion.

Keep up the great work!

Alois Rosario Answered 15 years ago

Hi Robert,

Firstly, don't worry too much about the terms topspin and loop.  They are very much just extensions of the same stroke and there is no real definition of when a topspin becomes a loop.

Your friend is right.  The stroke starts below the ball.  If there is a lot of spin have your bat very open or vertical.  The less spin the more you can tilt your bat forward.  The angle of your bat also depends on the speed of our bat at contact. The faster you move your bat the more you can brush over the ball.

Thanks for the great feedback about our site.