Forehand push and Serve return

Sasha Savic Asked 10 years ago

Hello, Alois

Being a defender, I want to disable my opponents to attack, at least until I move away from the table. How to get my forehand push faster, because, in that way, my opponent's attack won't be so fast. And how to make it deep. I know some of your rules about short pushing, and how do you practice low ball, but, I need to know how to make my push faster and deeper.

Second part of my question is about returning the serve with pimples. We have discussed about different things in this area, but, I would like your advice about returning long flat serve to my backhand, to my pimples. I try to chop, but the ball just slides down the blade. I realize that I need to learn a lot, but, I am willing to learn, so, teach me how to do this, how to return that serve. If I should hit it, hot to hit it, if I should chop it, in what way. Thanks

Alois Rosario Answered 10 years ago

Hi Sasha,

A good way to practice the long fast push is to put a string across the net like in the Keeping it low video and also put a towel across the table leaving on;y the last 30cm of the table exposed.  If you can get the ball low and deep it will also be fast and effective.

The stroke needs to have a fast action and also brush the ball well to keep the ball low.

If they serve a flat ball it is best to take the ball early and force the ball through fast.