Counterhit/topspin
Table Tennis Strokes and Technique
Last updated 11 years ago
Lukasz Drazdzewski Asked 11 years ago
I would like to know if there is a big difference between a counterhit and a no-spin topspin? I am asking about both shot execution and the way to handle the shot for the receiver.
Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago
Hi Lukasz,
Interesting question. These strokes are all just variations of each other. The forehand can be lengthened or shortened with more or less spin. We pigeon hole forehand strokes into a few stroke names but in reality there are a thousand different strokes or a thousand variations of the one stroke, whichever way you want to look at it.
Probably the one difference you can talk about with these two strokes is the length of the stroke. The no spin topspin would have a longer stroke to give the disguise of the stroke to make your opponent think there is topspin. There is probably a similar amount of spin and speed on both so could be handled similarly.
Thoughts on this question
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Lukasz Drazdzewski Posted 11 years ago
Thank you Alois, interesting response. I am afraid I am sad to realize most of my topspins against block are no spin topspins, as they go over the table (wayyy over) when I try to swing harder to impact spin. I can manage to put a topspin against backspin on the table, although here also the level of aggression on my part is not great. Therefore, I find myself most of the time... blocking, even when I attack first. Any advice/quick wins? Love the quick wins
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Try just turning your bat over the ball more on the topspin. This will force you to brush the ball and generate speed with the stroke to get it over the net.
As always think about the start and finish positions. If you are tense you will shorten your stroke by having a higher start position and lower finish position.
DHS Lover Posted 11 years ago
helo, sorry for disturbing...
I want to ask that is it better to put some topspin on the counterhit or just hit it flat ?
just like the counterhit stroke videos, did you put some topspin on it ?
and if counterhit is a flat contact of the ball, then why the finish position is that the bat up near eyebrow and it means that it'll generate some topspin on it...
yeah, just wanna know the truth because i've just see the PingSkills Exhibition that you play with Brett and it seems like Brett counterhit is a flat ball and the finish position is not up at the eyebrow
please for the respone ^^
thank you very much :D
Pedja Maric Posted 11 years ago
As far as I understand, the counter hit is flat. So, you have to hit usually the back of the ball. Simply because of the mechanism of the movement, you generate a little bit of top spin, but, key point for making that kind, or any kind of spin is brushing contact. More brushing, more spin.
DHS Lover Posted 11 years ago
oh i see...
because it's hard to hit the ball flat with the finish position because it just like brushing the ball...
maybe need more practice ^^ thank you for the answer ^^
Pedja Maric Posted 11 years ago
You see, the mechanism of both shots is similar, the angle of the bat is major difference. And also the contact. When you are counterhitting, you have that particular movement, but you hit the ball flat. If you close your racket more, especially against topspin, then you can have topspin on topspin, with brushing contact. You have to feel the rotation. The start position and finish position are very important, because of the consistency and accuracy, and you should do exactly as Ping Skills show. Their way is very consistent and practical, so try to apply that to your game.
DHS Lover Posted 11 years ago
I've tried what have PingSkills showed and it's really work for me
just want to know deeper and deeper...
anyway, thanks for the advice and thanks to PingSkills for the video ^^