Backhand Loop Power?
Table Tennis Strokes and Technique
Last updated 10 years ago
Dion Yahoo Asked 16 years ago
I seem to have more difficulty generating the same kind of power with my backhand loop as I do my forehand loop. I have heard of others having a pretty good "kill shot" with their backhand.
Could you elaborate on the keys to maximizing the power on this shot?
Are there certain grips the lend themselves to having a more powerful backhand?
Alois Rosario Answered 16 years ago
Hi Dion,
The key to getting power on your backhand topspin is to use your wrist. This will help you to get more speed on the contact. The backhand I find is easier to generate speed because you can use your wrist more than on the forehand. Think about bending your wrist back before you swing and let the wrist come through with the stroke.
The other factor is to get a bigger swing. You can do this by starting with your bat more out to the side of your body, rather than in front of your body, when you are trying to hit it harder.
As far as the grip is concerned I don't think any grip lends itself more or less to generating speed.
Good luck with those power backhands!
The key to getting power on your backhand topspin is to use your wrist. This will help you to get more speed on the contact. The backhand I find is easier to generate speed because you can use your wrist more than on the forehand. Think about bending your wrist back before you swing and let the wrist come through with the stroke.
The other factor is to get a bigger swing. You can do this by starting with your bat more out to the side of your body, rather than in front of your body, when you are trying to hit it harder.
As far as the grip is concerned I don't think any grip lends itself more or less to generating speed.
Good luck with those power backhands!
Thoughts on this question
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Matt D Posted 10 years ago
Hi again,
Just a quick question, normally when I do a backhand with a bigger swing I tend to hit it too late. Do I need to take a step back and as I am hitting the ball come into the table?
Sorry, I am not very good at explaining things
Thanks again,
Matt
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 10 years ago
Hi Matt,
You can either take a step back to give yourself more time or you can stay where you are and shorten the backswing slightly. Either of these two can work.
Matt D Posted 10 years ago
Thanks I will give it a try
Curtis Lewis Posted 10 years ago
Hey guys,
I wanted to point out the emphasis on using the legs and the hips to generate more power.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlBd0LWP6lM
Here, it was difficult for me to see the change that Ma Long does, but Liu Guoliang's advice really worked out for me.
The point was to use the legs to remain stable and add more speed for hip rotation. Rotating sideways only adds ridiculous amounts of power to your stroke--your forearm and wrist follow through generate any upwards lifting power. The only thing that concerns me is the point of contact. It looks like you normally take this shot only when you have the time. For a return that's too fast for you, it'd be best to just take it in front of your body and drive/block it with your opponent's pace and use placement as your weapon.
It didn't make sense for me at first because I was so used to using the stroke that emphasized a very high follow through that Jeff demonstrates in the Backhand Loop vs. Backspin video.
I can control this new shot against backspin if I just swing with a 45 degree angle, but on no-spin and topspin, the angle is much more closed. I guess the rubber handles all work if you just swing smooth. Finished stroke looks more like a reversed forehand loop.
What are your thoughts on this, Alois and Jeff?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 10 years ago
Hi Curtis,
They are working on a fast stroke off a backspin ball. At his level this is very possible. I think for most players it is important to work more on the lift to generate enough topspin to lift the backspin.