Sidespin - topspin counter

Table Tennis General

Last updated 14 years ago

Rohit Unknown

Rohit Unknown Asked 14 years ago

Hi!

I'm Rohit and I have a school table tennis coach who is really good, but I think I can beat him. He hits the ball slowly, but it is hard to return because he uses heavy topspin-sidespin. Just when you think you're about to hit the ball, it rips to the side. What on earth should I do?!

Yours sincerely,

Rohit


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario Answered 14 years ago

Hi Rohit,

To counter this shot you need to allow for the sidespin and topspin by using the angle of your bat.  Angle your bat to the side to counter the topspin.  Keep your hand soft so that it absorbs the spin.  Aim for the middle of the table.

Lastly, go back a step and see if you can stop him from hitting this stroke.  This can be done my placing the ball effectively.


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Thoughts on this question

Andrew T

Andrew T Posted 14 years ago

Another VERY important thing which Alois didn't mention is to move your feet to account for the spin.  If you don't move you will be reaching for the ball and either missing the ball or making a weak shot every time. 

Andrew T

Andrew T Posted 14 years ago

Sorry, I don't mean to discredit Alois.  He said to take a step back and I am saying you will need to move sideways so the ball remains in the proper strike zone.  Hope that clarifies.

Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 14 years ago

Hi Andrew thanks for your additional comments. I should have made myself clearer. By "taking a step back" I meant in the process not physically moving back... So earlier in the rally make sure that they can't make the attack. It's a bit like prevention being better than the cure.

Rohit Unknown

Rohit Unknown Posted 14 years ago

Hi Alois and Andrew T

Thanks to you both for your advice. I have table tennis for sport tomorrow and I shal see if your techniques work. LOL.



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