Dealing with Backspin
Strategy
Steven Harvey Asked 12 years ago
Hi Coaches,
I have just started to play again after many years. The other day I ran into a player who used nothing but backspin on his shots. I Googled for a solution and found your Facebook video and then your website. In the video, it always shows the ball going off the end of the table so the coach is able to go low and finish high to take some of the spin off. My opponent hit very soft shots which almost never cleared the end of the table on the bounce. How do you go low on that shot when the table is in the way? Is some kind of side spin or just returning it with backspin a good option or is there still a way to impart sufficient topspin but keep it out of the net?
Thank you very much for any help and advice.
Steven Harvey
Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago
Hi Steven,
Glad you found us.
If the ball has backspin and is going to bounce twice on the table it is best to use the backspin shot. Use the Backhand Push or the Forehand Push to get the shot back. Wait till they give you a shot that is only going to bounce once and then you can use the Forehand Topspin Off Backspin.
If you can keep your push short back to them, it will give you the first opportunity to make the attack.
Recommended Video
Gerada v Lu
Once again Alois and Jeff discuss a great match from the PingSkills Classic. This is the first quarter final between the number 1 seed Simon Gerada and Percy Lu. Without giving too much away, just make sure you watch the incredible backhand that Percy Lu hits in the 4th set. It really is the shot of the tournament.
Watch NowThoughts on this question
Become a free member to post a comment about this question.
Steven Harvey Posted 12 years ago
Hi Alois,
Thank you for the links to the videos on dealing with backspin. They answered my question just fine. If I was up on the terminology these days, I would have known you had already dealt with my issue.
Thanks again.
Steven
No problems. There are so many different terms for the same stroke out there that I get confused too.