Close to table defender playing style

mohsen dessouki Asked 13 years ago

Dear Jeff and Alois,

Hi great guys

My opponent is playing the above style. He has an excellent short serve returns and chop block and sidespin block that is executed from close to the table. He is also good in well-placed drives i.e he is a master of placement, but lacks real finishing power. He has a high hand speed, low foot speed, and medium power. All the game he uses pushes and drop shots. He has also very accurate forehand drives.

Could you please advise the tips on how to defeat this style?

I am 62 years old and my level is modest as during the game I frequently execute all strokes of the silver level and some of the gold level.

Thank you in advance and best regards,

Dr. Mohsen Dessouki - Egypt 

Alois Rosario Answered 13 years ago

Hi Mohsen,

Sounds like an interesting opponent.

I would play the ball mainly to his backhand.  I would try to wait till you have an opportunity to hit a strong ball.  If you can keep placing the ball wide to the backhand so that he can't execute his forehand drive, then he may start to get frustrated.

You should be in no hurry to attack as it sounds like he will play passively on the backhand side.  If you don't give him too much pace then the ball will stay quite slow in the rally.  Also if you don't give him too much spin then he won't have anything to work with.

It sounds like he might use a pimple on his backhand side.