Strategy to change the game

This very good player nails me to my weaker backhand side. Also, he alternates between hard strokes driving me back from the table to soft strokes pulling me back. I feel like a puppet on a string playing against him.

What can I do? Should I force myself to stay close to the table?

How can I best break out of this 'cage' he's got me in?

Yours,

Paul 

Hi Paul,

The first thing to think about is trying to dominate the early part of the rally.  The frist 2 to 3 strokes are all important.  It is surprising how small a change you need to make in the early part of the rally to change the whole complexion of the game.

The other aspect to consider is changing the diagonal that the game is played.  Assuming both players are right handed and he is driving you into your backhand side, think about making more serves and service returns to the forehand side of the table.  This will make it more difficult for your opponent to get an angle into your backhand side.

So work on your serves and returns and try to force the pace yourself early in the rally and see what difference you can make to how the game looks.