Different Strokes

Matthew Unknown Asked 15 years ago

First of all can you actually lob the ball when you are only just behind the basline? And secondly when my oppenent does a loop I can hit the ball but it always stuffs up. How do you hit it back? 

And in your video how to smash it look like you are doing a sidespin and a topspin smash.

And last of all when you describe the flick on your video i am still confused because when you do it it looks like a flat surface and then you do a topspin?

Alois Rosario Answered 15 years ago

Hi Matthew,

Lots of questions.

The lob is a defensive stroke to be used when you are forced away from the table. When you are close to the table the lob is not a good option because if they hit it hard to you it will be difficult to return. You are better off trying a different stroke such as an attacking stroke or a defensive push.

To return a loop the easiest and safest way is to block the ball back.  Take a look at the Lessons on Blocking and also the lesson on How to Counter a Slow Spinny Topspin.  This last lesson will give you a few options on how to combat the slower loop.

For the smash it should be a fairly flat contact.  To get the ball to travel faster it shouldn't be a sidespin contact.  This is what we are showing but it may look like a sidespin.

For the flick because you are coming up slightly on the ball there is a little topspin on the ball.  The higher the ball the flatter and less topsin you can hit .  If the ball is lower or has some backspin, then you need to brush up a little more and get a bit more topspin on the flick.

Hope this all helps.