Big Bad Backhands
Posted by Jeff Plumb on November 9th, 2007
Photo courtesy of ITTF
After a 7 year break from competition, I entered into the Table Tennis Victoria Super League. Being a lot slower and lacking my old level of fitness, I was forced to rely a lot more on my backhand. Although this wasn’t really a choice for me, I noticed that a lot of my opponents had impressive backhands and therefore used them a lot more. A recent statistic I read suggested that the ratio of forehands to backhands in International Table Tennis is now 65% to 35%. In the 1980’s this ratio was closer to 80% forehands to 20% backhands.
What has caused the change?
The biggest factor in the backhand becoming a more prominent shot, is the improvement of the stroke. In the past the forehand was used as the main attacking weapon for most Table Tennis players and the backhand was used more as a defensive stroke for blocking. Nowadays players have amazing attacking backhands off both topspin and backspin. Even pen-holders are now playing scintillating backhand topspins - just watch Wang Hao! For athletes with such powerful attacking weapons on both sides, it makes less sense to risk getting out of position to play a forehand.
Are you a backhand player?
I am still definitely a forehand player. When a game is close and the pressure is on, I would much prefer to hit a forehand - it’s just a more consistent and powerful shot for me. However there are now a lot more players who think there backhand is their best stroke such as William Henzell.
I’d love to hear from you about your game and whether you have a stronger backhand or forehand so leave a comment for us all to read.
ping pong conversion
commented on November 9th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
hi,
i think my forehand is stronger. But i am trying to improve my backhand.any tips ?
nice to meet you
Jeff Plumb
commented on November 10th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Thanks for visiting the site. We are in the process of filming some short video clips regarding how to play both the forehand and backhand. So stay tuned for those as there will be plenty of tips soon…
Ji-Soo Woo
commented on November 22nd, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Back when I used to play a lot of table tennis in the 80s, I noticed that almost all my opponents heavily favoured the forehand in all their attacks. I made a deliberate decision then to develop my backhand as a weapon, as a surprise weapon. I practiced and practiced and practiced, and it got to the stage that, when an opponent hit a weak shot, I would almost run around my forehand to finish it off with my backhand!
Having a strong backhand was a bit advantage for me in competitions. I find though, as a less natural shot than the forehand, I’ve forgotten how to hit it now that I’m playing again. Also, I’m noticing more and more people happy to attack with their backhands nowadays - so it doesn’t seem to have the same surprise factor. Just my impression.
who flung dung
commented on May 9th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
dave zalcberg has a great backhand just ask segun toriola whom david beat with ease
xchg
commented on August 23rd, 2008 at 5:43 am
Ok, I think my backhand has been better from the beginning, while I learned that there’re two basic strokes - backhand and forehand, which are by the way called “left” and “right” in Russian, respectively. With some practice my forehand also improved, so now I’m embarking on forhand topspins…
Thoughh backhand still feels much more comfortable, as for me.
10dwn12go
commented on September 27th, 2008 at 9:28 am
During my first 5 years of playing seriously, my best weapon was backhand, I could initiate rally by soft loop, the spinny loop, and flat kill, all from bh. My opponents including higher level players once know my game, usually prevent hitting to my bh. It is just very natural for me.
But I soon find out my backhand is not very reliable in close game situation, I think I use mostly wrist, and since timming is so critical, it suffered during tension. It was a glaring weakness over the fh side. Three years ago, I started practice heavily on fh instead, 80% of practice time, so my game winners nowaday is evenly 50-50 btwn bh & fh.
I am in 50’s now, & starting to move slow, it helps to have good bh so that I don’t have to move around much.