Blocking a slow loop
Strokes
Ji-Soo Woo Asked 16 years ago
Hi Alois
one problem with most instructional videos is that they show how to hit standard shots off standard shots. At the lower level competition, however, there are all sorts of unorthodox shots you have to face (mainly because the speed of the game is so slow that people have the opportunity to do these shots). I know the no.1 solution is to increase the pace of your shots (as you suggested earlier) to not allow opponents to impart strange spins, but sometimes this is not possible.
One non-standard shot I sometimes still have problem with is the very very heavy topspin loop with almost no pace that falls very short (on the half of your side of the table closer to the net).
A very good player advised me to keep a loose grip on the racquet (almost falling out of your hand) and try to hit the ball as early as possible. Because the ball is falling so short, however, and with the heavy topspin making it dip down and then rebound sharply, this is not so easy. I've actually had some success breaking all the rules and actually tightening my grip and then waiting for the ball to come to me and then just blocking it back with the angle of the racquet head compensating for the spin. The tightening of the grip makes the ball hit a wall, and allows me to use my opponent's spin against him.
It would be very helpful if you could explain to me the different options I have for dealing with this shot. Ideally, it would be great if you could do a youtube video where one person pushes long, the other person hits a maximum topspin high arcing loop that barely clears the net, and the first person demonstrates different ways to handle it.
Thanks!
Ji-Soo
Alois Rosario Answered 16 years ago
Hi Ji-Soo,
I think a You-tube video might be the best option here. You can do both of the things you talked about, either having soft hands and blocking the ball back or what is called punching the ball back. The punch has the ball on the bat for a short amount of time so the spin doesn't have as much effect. The softer hand block relies on your touch and feel for the ball.
Both are options, with the punch perhaps being the easier option to learn.
It is on the 'to do' list of videos.
Recommended Video
Backhand Block
The backhand block is used to counter a topspin stroke. Once you can return your opponents attacking strokes, you will take your game to a new level.
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Ji-Soo Woo Posted 16 years ago
Great, thanks Alois!
Look forward to the youtube video...that will be VERY helpful for me!
Charles Unknown Posted 16 years ago
Actually, I experienced having problems with heavy topspin loops. The way I return them is either through another loop (Topspin against underspin), chop or just use your instincts in returning it. By what I mean by instincts is any shot that can either be orthodoxed or unorthodoxed just to return the ball. Since it has heavy topspin, it can either double bounce on the table or bounce and go out of the table. If it double bounces, use either the punch which Alois mentioned earlier or that instinct shot I explained about. For the one that goes out of the table, just time the ball and hit it when it goes out of the table starting from the near bottom of the table. Actually I mastered the one where it goes out of the table. I had this drill when I was trying to learn the Topspin/Drive/Loop. I know the link to the website but I'm not sure if I am aloud to post it here since it might attract other people off PingSkills.
Hope this helps!