Blocking

Thank you for your answer. But, I have more questions, if it's not too much trouble. Where should my distance from the table be, where is the best place to stay for blocking? And how to improve my reflexes? What are the qualities of a good blocker in general? And one particular thing, can you, and in what way, block side spin topspin?

I also have one additional question regarding to receiving: what is the best way to attack short side spin ball? I am right-handed player, so, can you tell me, how to attack balls with different curvature? Of course I am not thinking about clean side spin ball, a want to know how to attack short sidespin-backspin, or topspin ball. Thank you in advance

Hi Pedja,

To block effectively you need to be quite close to the table.  If you watch the match between XU Xin and Kenta Matsudaira at the recent World Championships you will see how effectively Kenta blocks against one of the best topspin players in the world.  Even though he doesn' win, he plays a lot of exceptional blocks. XU Xin CHN vs MATSUDAIRA Kenta JPN.

A good blocker will have good reflexes and be able to position the ball well.  They must also have good balance.  You can improve your reflexes for blocking using multiball for your training where you get your training partner to feed the balls out quickly to you.

To attack a short sidespin ball you can use the Forehand Flick or you could also try the Backhand Sidespin Flick which is a more advanced stroke.

OK, thank you very much. I have also watched WC, especially the finals, it seems that ZJK is untouchable. Can you just explain me this, is there a difference in these shots with a different curvature of the ball. Can I use, for example, side spin flick in the same way, no matter the direction of the ball? Or, if I use a forehand, should I use it in the same way, no matter if the ball goes left or right? If there is a catch, tell me, please. Like I said, I am right-handed player.

Hi Pedja,

You can use the backhand sidespin flick against any sidespin.  You may find one way easier than the other though.

The forehand sidespin flick is more difficult because of the use of the wrist on the forehand side being different.

OK. But, is it possible to attack short ball with forehand side spin flick? If so, how can I do it, what is the position of the blade? I have watched your video about backhand side spin flick, it is great, and I understand the technique, so, I am interested if it's possible to do something similar with forehand.

I would not recommend the shot.  I haven't really seen this done well as yet.

I understand. So, what should I do to attack short serve with forehand, if it is side spin, no matter which side?

Hi Pedja,

I would push the short serve or if it is higher flick it with the traditional flick.

OK, I get it. Is there a difference in pushing side spin serve and pushing a backspin serve? Do I need to adjust the angle of the bat and how. And hot to react if there is short side spin topspin service, whether I use forehand or backhand?

For all spin it is a matter of adjusting the angle of your bat.  For more sidespin you need to adjust your bat sideways for backspin adjust it to face more upward.  For topspin, it is best to flick or come over the ball.