How do I play a pusher with pimples

Hi Alois and Jeff

Your coaching lessons and the advice given in the Ask The Coach are very informative and useful. Thank you both for imparting your knowledge and expertise with such passion and altruism. I am sure TT lovers all over the world would feel indebted to you both.  

I played a pusher in a match recently losing 3-0. All she did was serve in her smooth rubber with a light chop, then changed to her short pimples and pushed for the rest of the time with no variation in shots and never changed this routine with the exception of an occasional smash in a rally. She pushed with a light backspin and chop from side to side downwards quite close to the net and keeping the ball low giving her opponents little chance to smash or topspin. My two team mates who are in their 80s had no problems with her both beating her 3-1. To date, her league average is 83%. She beat many players who were much much more sophisticated in techinques than her. 

What is the secret of her success? Did she win because her style is so monotonous and boring that her opponents lost because they ran out of patience? I will meet her again in March in a return match and would dearly love to beat her next time. How should I play her and what strategies can you suggest that I should adopt?

Many thanks in anticipation.

Fanny Speck

Hi Fanny,

This is a difficult style to combat at first.

One of the keys is patience.  Since she is not attacking much you can be patient and wait for the right ball to attack. Eventually she will give you a high ball or a long ball that is comfortable for you.  One problem a lot of people face is that once they start pushing it is difficult o convert to playing an attacking stroke.  Always keep moving and looking for the opportunity.

The other thing to do is to overpower a player like this.  Once you have developed your serves and forehand attack you will be able to attack her with a strong 3rd ball attack.

She is relying on your mistakes and impatience to win the point so try to cut those two elements out of your game. 

Thanks for the kind words about the site.  It is nice to know that we are able to help players from all over the world.