Hitting the ball down the line

Table Tennis General

Last updated 15 years ago

Andrew T

Andrew T Asked 15 years ago

Dear Alois,

I was wondering if you could touch on the proper way to hit the ball down the line or inside out on both backhand and forehand wings.  In your videos you and Jeff mainly hit crosscourt (understandably) to keep the drill going.  Maybe in the future you could make a video discussing this.  

 

Thanks,

Andrew

 

PS I really enjoy and benefit from your videos.  I have shared them with the entire school team.


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario Answered 15 years ago

Hi Andrew,

The difference between hitting the ball down the line and cross court can be a slight change in the hitting point.  If you hit the ball a fraction earlier or in front of you, it will go cross court and a fraction later, down the line.  This happens because you are slightly further through your swing if you hit it in front of your body.

Try to keep the stroke basically the same, just change your timing.

You can also change the direction with a slight change in the anlge of your wrist.  Again this is a very slight variation.  Try moving your wrist back a fraction and see the difference it makes in the direction.  Keep everything else the same.

We will try to get to doing this video lesson.


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Andrew T

Andrew T Posted 15 years ago

Thanks,

I think I knew that part already, but wanted to make sure.  Also when I wrote that question I was probably thinking about the forehand flick video, in which Jeff steps in with his right foot, hits it early, and down the line.  Is there a good way of hitting shorter balls, which tend to be in front of you, down the line? or is this just a much less safe shot and not something to do often?

Thanks again,

Andrew


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 15 years ago

Andrew, I find getting my wrist back further is the easiest way to get the ball down the line with a flick. Because you have less table to play with though it is harder to hit the ball fast down the line.


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