Blocking fast shots

Ryan Unknown Asked 15 years ago

Hi PingSkills,

I was playing last night, and I seemed to lose most of my points due to the opposing player constantly smashing it to my weaker backhand. I am relatively small, and most smashes go high, and i cant seem to keep it down by blocking it. Help Please!

Thankyou - Ryan.

Alois Rosario Answered 15 years ago

Hi Ryan,

Firstly to block this faster ball try to keep your hands relaxed and soft. This may be difficult at first but will help you to absorb some of the speed and spin on the ball. You could also try to just brush over the ball a little. This will put a little topspin on the ball and help it to dip onto the table.

In this situation you also need to go to the source of the problem and that is that you are giving them the oportunity to hit the ball hard to your backhand. Focus on keeping the ball lower over the net and perhaps generating a little more backspin on your push to make it more difficult to make a strong attack.

Also think about placement. If you play shorter or closer to the net and more to their forehand side perhaps they will not have such a good angle into your backhand.

Good luck with your game.

← Reflexes and blocking Receiving side spin and backspin serves →

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Andrew T Posted 15 years ago

You also might want to take the block earlier, as it will be lower and easier to handle even w/ the added pace. Or if they don't place it that well you can back far up and be defensive for a couple of strokes. The ball will slow down by the time it reaches you. As Alois was saying, use soft hands, especially if you go for the earlier lower block.

Ryan Unknown Posted 15 years ago

Thanks for the advice. It helped much