Backhand Against Backspin

I'm quite weak on my backhand. When the opponent serves underspin, something I must do is to chop the ball When the ball is high, I smash using my backhand but it always hits the net. Please tell me what should I do?

Hi Martin,

The backspin on the ball will grip into your rubber and drag the ball downward towards the net. To play a topspin shot against such a backspin ball, you need to lift the ball up over the net. You need to lift the ball with a brushing motion to generate the topspin.

Take a look at our lesson on the backhand topspin against block and then at our lesson on the backhand topspin against backspin. Notice how against the backspin the stroke becomes more vertical helping to lift the ball up and over the net.

Picture yourself playing this stroke against backspin. Watch the video a number of times and then try and emulate the stroke away from the table (this technique is known as shadow swings because you aren't actually hitting the ball). Then next time you are training on the table, ask your practice partner to play backspin balls to your backhand. Play the backhand topspin and watch closely how the ball comes off the bat. If the ball is going into the net try to lift the ball some more. If it is going up and over the end of the table, then try to close the face of your racket and brush the ball to generate enough topspin to cause the ball to dip onto the table.

Let us know if these tips help.