Breaking a flat hitting habit

Strokes

Arjan van Luttikhuizen
Arjan van Luttikhuizen Asked 9 years ago

Hi Alois and Jeff,

Lately I've drifted towards a more attacking style close to the table, I'm getting a very small margin for error on my topspin strokes because I unintentionally hit the ball quite flat on. When trying to focus on the start / finish positions and brushing the ball I still end up getting very little "dip" on the ball. And then when I do get good spin it tends to fly way of the table. What can I do to more consistently play the slower, higher topspin?


Alois Rosario
Member Badge Alois Rosario Answered 9 years ago

Hi Arjan,

The key is to maintain the topspin all the time.  This will give you a much better margin for error over the net.

It is a trade off between how high the stroke can be and the speed of the ball but maintaining the brushing contact is crucial.


Recommended Video

How You Can Generate a Brushing Contact on the Ball

In this video we will discuss and demonstrate how you can generate a brushing contact on the ball. A brushing contact is ideal for creating as much spin as possible during a rally.

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Thoughts on this question


Arjan van Luttikhuizen

Arjan van Luttikhuizen Posted 9 years ago

Had a really long training session today and things are already starting to look up. I went over the relevant technique video's on the site one more time and focused on improving on one point at a time. For some reason those heavy topspins that kick off the table almost horizontally feel much more satisfying than the speedy strokes.

I also found that it's perhaps never a good idea to use the slow spinny topspin against a ball that also has significant topspin on it, your thoughts?


Alois Rosario

Member Badge Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 9 years ago

HI Arjan,

Yes the heavy topspin balls are very difficult to do the slow topspin against.  Much easier off the backspin ball or a slower ball in general.  The ball doesn't fly off your bat as quickly.


D K

D K Posted 9 years ago

And if I want to do a slow heavy topspin off a slow heavy topspin,what should I do?
Take the ball lower?


Johan B

Johan B Posted 9 years ago

Brush the ball and aim diagonally up :p


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