How Should I Play Medium High Balls?

Francisco Cespedes Grau Asked 13 years ago

Sometimes I get a medium-high ball, with this i mean a ball a bit high to do a good topspin but a bit low to do a secured smash, in this occasions i try to smash but i miss a lot of times cause the ball is not so high, what I'm doing wrong? I should try to hit a loop kill trying to hitting at the top of the ball, or maybe it's my placement which is bad?, i need help with this cause lower balls i return them with topspin but i have specially an opponent with is always giving me this kind of balls and i want to be more consistent with this.

Alois Rosario Answered 13 years ago

Hi Francisco,

I had an opponent who used to trouble me with this same tactic.

It is an awkward height to play from.  Try not to think about hitting the ball for a winner but rather keeping them away from the table with your shot.  Put topspin on the ball like you normally would.  Start with your bat a bit higher than you normally would but keep your shoulder really relaxed.  The thing that often goes wrong with this shot is that you tighten your shoulder to get the bat up to that higher level and that will lead to a tight and bad stroke.

So relax, think about placing the ball well with some good topspin to keep them away from the table.  When they hit the ball short or higher then you can hit it for a winner.