Forhand loop for high ball
Strokes
LeangHeng IT Asked 12 years ago
Hi coach, my loop is powerful enough to get the point, but when the ball going up high and I try to hit, I miss it or it is very weak in term of speed and power.
Why so??? Any suggestions to improve this???
Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago
Hi LeangHeng,
This often happens to players that have a strong topspin.
When the ball goes up higher try to get the start position of your racket higher and make a smash rather than a topspin. Also because the ball is higher over the net you won't have to topspin the ball so much. Flatten the contact out. This will give you more speed with the shot. Take a look at our lesson on the Forehand Smash for some more help.
It is difficult to make the adjustment from topspin to smash but the main thing is to get your start position right.
Recommended Video
Basic Stance in Table Tennis
The correct table tennis stance provides you with the foundation for power and movement. By keeping your feet wide apart and your knees bent you set yourself up for success. We also discuss where you should position yourself relative to the table.
Watch NowThoughts on this question
Become a free member to post a comment about this question.
LeangHeng IT Posted 12 years ago
Thank you coach for your useful advice.
One year ago, after looping the ball, I always smashed to destroy the ball. Then, I became very consistent with this 5th ball attack (3rd ball for slow spiny loop, 5th ball for deadly smash). I realized that I was able to use this strategy with the beginners since their chopping didn't have heavy backspin (easy to loop) and their blocking gave me easy position (soft block) to smash.
However, I was overwhelmed by the higher level players. Those players were very good at chopping (much backspin and low over the net). I had to lift the ball harder so that I could clear the net (losing balance), and they killed me by just blocking to my widen forhand (my hand not yet back from the movement of topspin).
So I have decided to practise different loop (slow, fast, drive, and yet fade + hook). I suggest the senior players to chop (normal, short pimple, and long pimple rubber) the ball to my forhand, and I loop. Now, it gives me much improvement for the loop. But, once my opponents return my serve with mistakes making the ball up high, lobbed the ball, or topspinned back my loop, I have the above problem.
Because in my mind there is only loop loop loop, I make mistake for the high ball.
Yes LeangHeng,
Keep practicing the change from topspin to smash. It will get better with training especially if you focus on getting the start position right.
Debo : Posted 12 years ago
Don't feel lonely, this problem is very common to most of us. Even if you hit a topspin on a high ball, try to keep the racket angle almost totally closed, facing downwards to the floor. This may help. Not sure, but I see many players hitting topspin like this to high balls.
Rajesh Sawant Posted 12 years ago
Hi LeangHeng,
Debo's suggestion is bit right and it will take lot of concentration and practice. As you have to make very close racket angle there are lot of possibility for hitting ball on the edge of racket and ball will go off. Its better to smash hard as Alois suggests. Also you will get advantage if you make room and try to hit/smash ball at particular spot (odd for opponent to return) or smash hard with accuracy and wait for next loose return.
Thanks,
Rajesh Suhas Sawant