Topspin off net
Table Tennis Strokes and Technique
Last updated 10 years ago
Ji-Soo Woo Asked 10 years ago
Hi Alois
I think we all have the experience of facing a heavy topspin ball that touches the net, pops up, and lands legally on your side of the table. I would estimate my success rate at returning such a ball to be...mmmm...about zero per cent. First, it's the adjustment you have to make waiting for a loop to get to you and then having to adjust and move forward to a ball falling short. Second, touching the net can change the spin in ways that's hard to read.
How to try and get such a ball back on the table?
Thanks
Ji-Soo
Alois Rosario Answered 10 years ago
Hi Ji-Soo,
This is a difficult one for sure. It requires touch and an adjustment.
My theory (and you are the physics expert...) is that because the ball is slowed down by the net, the relative effect of the spin is more. Most players hit this ball off the end of the table because they misjudge the amount of topspin on the ball. It becomes more like a slow spinny topspin, which I know you have had problems with in the past.
Think about getting over the block more and also keeping your hand relaxed to absorb some of the spin.
Thoughts on this question
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SirLoops Alot Posted 10 years ago
Like you said, I'll often find myself in a poor position to make a strong return. For this reason I'll usually wait for the ball to drop really low, and just block it using a delicate grip. It's almost like a close to the table lob, and far from ideal, but trying to attack a ball like this is really risky. I even see players in top 20 return them this way.