How to attack a slow and floating ball

Dorian Olivier Asked 8 years ago

Hello,

I often use a long topspin serve, but I make it look like it's a backspin serve. The opponent then tries to push it, but the ball goes up quite a bit and is slow, kind of floating. I could finish the point there, but I can never seem to understand how to hit the ball, it always goes out of the table when I try to loop it or just smash it.

Is there a specific technique to attack that kind of ball ?

Thanks, Dorian.

Alois Rosario Answered 8 years ago

Hi Dorian,

This is often a tricky ball for a lot of players.

The key is to realise the ball has some backspin on it even though it is high.

You need to brush the ball up a little to counteract that backspin.  You also need to get into position quickly to make that attack.  I see a lot of players drag that ball into the net because they are not accounting for the backspin.

For our Premium members we have a previous Ask the Coach video response to this same thing. High backspin close to net.