Forehand Topspin against backspin not working
Strokes
Carlo Caloy Asked 12 years ago
Hi Alois,
I played several matches today. My opponent kept serving long with backspin on it. I tried to do forehand topspin each time by starting low and trying to finish high. However, the ball always goes to the net. I tried to speed up the stroke, but still, same effect. Can you cite some common errors on this stroke that I may be doing? Also, I was hitting the ball near the peak of its bounce, is this correct? Or should I wait for it to go down first before making contact?
Thank you.
Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago
Hi Carlo,
Some things that I see are:
Your rubber is worn so doesn't grip the ball to lift to over the net.
Not enough brushing contact. Too flat meaning the spin on the ball will take effect and drag it into the net.
Stroke not vertical enough.
Not enough speed on the stroke.
Finish position not high enough. Definitely needs to be over the head.
You can wait a little longer so the ball is falling.
Give this a try and let me know how it goes.
Recommended Video
Top 3 Forehand Topspin Mistakes (and How to Fix Them for Good)
Are you struggling with your forehand topspin? In this video, we reveal the 3 most common mistakes that could be holding back your game:
- Hitting the ball too late
- Hitting the ball too flat
- Following through too low
But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! We’ll show you how to fix these errors for good using our simple 3-step method:
- Awareness: Understand the problem and how it impacts your shots.
- Rewiring: Correct your muscle memory with targeted drills.
- Progression: Solidify the improvements through consistent repetition and practice.
Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your technique, this video is packed with actionable tips to help you master your forehand topspin and dominate your table tennis game.
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Carlo Caloy Posted 12 years ago
Okay. Will try practice this. Thanks Alois. Also, the contact point on the ball when hitting a topspin against backspin is around 3 o'clock, is this correct? And for the topspin against topspin, the contact point on the ball is around 1 or 2 o'clock? Thank you!
Yes Carlo, that sounds right.
Erriza Shalahuddin Posted 12 years ago
I think proper backswing is also important. Against a backspin ball, I usually try to make proper backswing and make the tip of my bat pointing at the floor, then I swing the bat so that my bat is pointing sideway on the contact and pointing upward in my finish position. And the swing should be done in smooth and relaxed motion.