ball contact in loops

Table Tennis Strokes and Technique

Last updated 13 years ago

gian crispino

gian crispino Asked 13 years ago

Hi

They say that in looping a backspin ball you should lower your starting position.

I'm just wondering if it's effective to hit under the center of the ball? becoz in normal loop, u hit the top of the ball right? this is becoz im still having difficulties in looping backspin ball

any tips?

Again, Gian 


Jeff Plumb

Jeff Plumb Answered 13 years ago

Hi Gian,

I remember when I first started playing I had a lot of difficulty in playing a topspin off a backspin ball. In fact for a while I would just push the ball back in matches because I just couldn't play the stroke consistently. After a lot of practice I was able to get very good at it though so stick with it.

I don't think it is a good idea to hit under the bottom of the ball. This is because you want to generate a lot of topspin so you need to contact the ball with a brushing action. For a heavily spun backspin ball you can brush up the back of the ball more than the top but not from underneath.

Watch our video on the forehand topspin against backspin and imagine yourself playing the same stroke. Even practice the stroke yourself without a ball while watching the video. Try to get a clear picture in your mind of how the stroke should look and remember it when you go to practice. Try and set up some training drills where you can practice this.

One easy way is to serve a backspin ball and ask your opponent to push the ball to your forehand so you can topspin the ball. You can then play the rally out and start again. By doing this you will get the opportunity to play a lot of topspins in a short period of time which will help you improve.

I think it is important for people to analyse their own games and decide what areas need improvement. Once you understand what you want to improve, set up some drills that allow you practice this over and over. This is the quickest way to improve.


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gian crispino

gian crispino Posted 13 years ago

ok thanks sir!

I already watched that video, and i'm still practicing it right now. I think its just a matter of time before i get it right 


Jeff Plumb

Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 13 years ago

Yeah keep working on it. I'm sure it will come.

gian crispino

gian crispino Posted 13 years ago

hello jeff,

btw thanks very much for all the help 

just finished playing. i just want to tell you that I succesfully looped the backspin ball but not all the time. sometimes it goes out but very near the edge of the table. this now my problem, I think Im overdoing it. any suggestions? btw thanks very much for all the help


Jeff Plumb

Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 13 years ago

Great to hear Gian. If you are hitting the ball too long, you might not be getting enough topspin on the ball. It is the topspin that will help the ball dip and land on the table. Try and ensure you are getting a fast brushing contact on your loop. If you lift the ball by opening up the angle of your bat too much, you will hit the ball with a flat contact and it will be hard to generate the brushing contact and hence the topspin.

Keep working at it, it sounds like you've nearly got it! 


gian crispino

gian crispino Posted 13 years ago

hey Jeff i think i got it coz i defeated my antispin opponent 21-6!(we use the old way of scoring) i definitely looped those heavy backspin-converted-topsin balls! thanks for all ur and alois' help, ur really great pingskillers!

Jeff Plumb

Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 13 years ago

Congratulations Gian. That is great news.


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