Attacking no-spin balls

Lanes Lienster Asked 15 years ago

I am having problems against a player that uses some type of anti-spin rubber that takes all the spin off the ball. I don't seem to have anywhere near as much trouble with players who spin the ball. How do I handle these dead balls? Should I be trying to loop? Flat hit? Block? Should I hit right off the bounce, top of the bounce? Should the bat be closed? 45-degrees? I hear players talk about "punishing" dead balls. How do you do it? I'm confused!

Alois Rosario Answered 15 years ago

Hi Karl,

It is a matter of getting used to this type of ball.  Your brain is automatically geared to reacting to normal rubber.  So when they hit the ball with a certain stroke your brain reads it like it is hit with normal rubber.  It is therefore expecting the ball to come through more.  If they hit the ball with a slower rubber like anti-spin, you need to adjust to the slower pace.  The easiest way is to play against it a lot. 

Realise that all they are is a slow no spin ball.  Let yourself see it for what it is and you will see how easy these balls really are.

What stroke should you play?  Whatever stroke you want to.  You can topspin or flat hit it as long as you are balanced and in position.

You will notice that lower level players have no problems with hitting this sort of ball, because that is all they know, and all they see is a slow no spin ball.

Hope this helps you.