Smash or fast topspin

Peter Habich Asked 13 years ago

Hi Alois,

before I came across you website some time ago, I ordered some DVDs from the States called Loop Mastery or Smash Mastery by Chinese Coach Li.

In the DVD on Smash Mastery he explains all different situations to smash even when the ball is coming low or with backspin.

So my question is as a hobby player what is better for me to loop or to smash low balls. Or does it depend from the situation? What is easier or more secure?

Regards

Peter

Alois Rosario Answered 13 years ago

Hi Peter,

The safer shot is definitely to topspin or loop the ball. The topspin will give you a better margin for error over the net. Some players like to smash low balls especially if they are using short pimples on their forehand. This is still a risky stroke and one that takes a lifetime of training to master.

← Fighting a wall to improve topspin off backspin V grip →

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D K Posted 10 years ago

So why the most of my opponents are using it especially against me?

Some of my teammates even wait for the lower strokes to smash it in an attempt to show me the unusability of the backspin.

They do their best to smash a low (about 30 cm high) chop with more closed bat (I mean more closed than vertical,about 80-70 degrees tilt)

Some of them even run into the strokes or jump forward during their smash-like stroke.

Simply they are attempting to overcome the spin using raw power.

I am used to their opinion,but when they say somthing like "there is nothing to be proud of when you defeat a chopper." or " even the lowest backspin is an offer to a kill" or "playing a chopper is not a challenge,it is boring,because you never have to unleash your full power against them" are irritating me