Chinese v European Backhand Loop

Andrew Angell Asked 11 years ago

I'm about a 1500 rated player trying to get better.  I play at a couple of different clubs here in town where I interact with players from India, Russa, China, and more.  I've been getting lots of different tips from people about how to do various strokes, and of course I'm finding conflicts between what different people tell me.

I actually started taking lessons with a woman that was a Pro in China for a number of years.  She is teaching me everything in a very specific way, and is very adamant about how she wants me doing things.  I've been very happy with my training with her, and I can clearly see what she's teaching me in the way many of the top Chinese players play.

Now, for the most part, everything anybody of any style tells me about hitting forehand drives, loops, and blocking is pretty similar.  They have different ways of teaching it, but the end result seems to be very similar in most cases.

The thing that is very different, though, from what I've seen, is the backhand loop.  I've been doing quite a bit of studying, and it seems like it might simply be a difference in the European style vs. Chinese style..?  Can you confirm or deny that for me?

I will say this, I watched your backhand loop video, and I can tell you that if I was doing my loops that way my coach would give me a nasty look and say "No...that not right!"  The way you show sort of wrapping around your body and finishing with your hand all the way turned over...especially on the loops off underspin.  You guys show really following through across your body so your hand is way up by your ear.  This would drive my coach crazy.  

When I'm at the clubs, though, I see all the Russians doing it the way you guys show, but then I see most of the Chinese doing it the way my coach shows, and when I watch guys like Ma Long, Zhang Jike, and other Chinese shakehand players it looks just like what she's showing me.  They much shorter and compact with those backhand loops.  

Am I on the right track with this at all, or am I completely wrong?  I ask this question to people and I get conflicting answers all the time, so I'm really curious what you have to say about that.

Anything you can tell me about the subject would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago

Hi Andrew,

I think you may be right with the difference between Chinese and European backhands.  The European backhand tends to be a little longer in general.  I think also when you first learn it is easier to have a longer swing to ensure your bat is going in the right direction.  With a shorter swing it is easy to go off track with the stroke.

Since you have a coach that is teaching you in a particular way, stay with it and listen to what she is saying.  She is there with you watching your stroke and correcting it.