Transition to lobbing
Strategy
Ji-Soo Woo Asked 13 years ago
Hi Alois
While we all have our particular strengths and weaknesses, I have the misfortune of having a relatively strong lob and scrambling ability. I say misfortune because I'd much rather have the best killer hook top/sidespin or best 3rd ball attack, or something equally aggressive and awe-inspiring, in my division!!! It's much harder to take advantage of lobbing and scrambling because this is something you typically do out of necessity and not choice! However, sometimes I find myself playing against an opponent with a relatively weak smash off a high, deep lob. In such cases, I actually can win the match by lobbing every single ball! However, I have a hard time transitioning into a lobbing game deliberately. If I'm already back from the table, it's pretty straight forward, but if I try to lob high and deep close to the table and then backpedal I often miss the table altogether. What's the best way to deliberately transition into a lobbing game as early as possible in a rally?
Thanks!
Ji-Soo
Alois Rosario Answered 13 years ago
Hi Ji-Soo,
Perhaps you can transition by playing a topspin from away from the table. Take a look at some old footage of Michael Applegren. He would often get back from the table with low topspins and then end up in a defensive position with good topspin. I know you like Maze as well and he makes some great balls from away from the table. There are a few good examples in this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgaAbtL4Dd8.
I am not sure the best way to go about using this. Perhaps giving them lower lobs and keeping them under pressure knowing that it is not easy to hit through you would be the best.
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Kevin Long Posted 13 years ago
Thanks Kevin. That sounds like an effective tactic. It's hard to win a point when you're back that far from the table so it's good idea to try and find an opportunity to get back into the rally.
Ji-Soo was actually talking about the opposite though. He wanted to transition from close to the table to far away and win points by lobbing against players with a weak smash! Strange but you've got to play to your strengths I guess. It can work against lower level players for sure but once you start playing better players this will not work too well.
Kevin Long Posted 13 years ago
Kevin Long Posted 13 years ago