Backhand Drive / Counterhit
Table Tennis Strokes and Technique
Last updated 6 years ago
Kürşat Alp Asked 6 years ago
My forehand drive is became great as I do finish position at eyebrow level thanks to you. But in backhand finish position when I'm trying to face forehand side of bat towards to roof I didn't still feel comfortable at backhand drive. I don't know what to do. Should forehand side of bat entirely horizontally face towards to roof or it can be slanted? Can you explain me more about backhand counterhit finish position? And I also noticed that top players backhand drive finish position is not facing towards the roof. I think this finish position is a step for us to learn mechanism.
Alois Rosario Answered 6 years ago
Hi Kürsat,
Try this next. See if you can get the bat to finish in a position like you are taking a "selfie". This is next to you but the forehand side of the bat can be facing towards you. This is a simple way to start with the stroke.
Thoughts on this question
Become a free member to post a comment about this question.
Kürşat Alp Posted 6 years ago
Are we using mostly forearm for this stroke? Power comes from forearm?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 6 years ago
Yes forearm and a little upper arm.
Kürşat Alp Posted 6 years ago
Coach I'm not sure where should we put our thumb on racket while playing backhand drive. Its' place totally same with forehand strokes? Also I saw a documentary of ma long. He says "I'm pressing thumb on the racket". I'm confused ☺
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 6 years ago
Hi Kürsat,
You can move the thumb slightly as long as it doesn't take too long and slow up your ability to change from forehand to backhand.
Kürşat Alp Posted 6 years ago
Coach how about the weight transfer? Is it important for backhand drive? How can I perform weight transfer effectively? And I see players turns their torso a little bit when they hit the ball.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 6 years ago
Yes a slight turn of the torso will increase power.
Kürşat Alp Posted 6 years ago
https://youtu.be/dNLRfAk7SCM
Coach how can I move like in the video. I'm so motionless. I want to act like them. Their whole body moving. How can I do that. What is the mechanism of this?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 6 years ago
Hi Kürsat,
Take a look at the Footwork section of the site. You can see they are keeping their knees bent and bouncing a little with their legs between each shot and then lifting their upper body slightly when hitting the stroke.