Blocking
Strokes
Pedja Maric Asked 11 years ago
Hi, Alois
Here I am after a while with some new questions. For quite some time I am interested in blocking techniques, because, I realized that it can be very effective when used in a proper way. So, my questions are these:
1. Whether it is forehand or backhand block, should the blade come in the line of the ball, or above the ball, so I could hit over it.
2. What kind of blade and rubber are the best for this technique? Should rubbers have more or less speed, more or less spin.
Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago
Hi Pedja,
For blocking you can come in line with the ball. The on;y time you should come above the ball is if the topspin is high and you want to punch it.
I think it is better to have a more controlled rubber to play a good blocking game. You are using the speed of the other player so don't need to generate as much yourself. However, if you feel you can handle a faster rubber that is OK as well as this will just add more speed to the ball and make it harder again for the attacker.
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Forehand Slow Spinny Topspin
Playing a slow extra spinny topspin can be very effective and by learning this stroke you will win a lot of points.
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Pedja Maric Posted 11 years ago
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.