Preparing for both forehand and backhand

Sebastian Ågren Asked 8 years ago

Hi! Thank you for a great site. I've been playing table tennis for a few years and as my technique have improved so has the speed. I have a question of technique when playing random drills. How should I move my racket and position myself when i don't know if the next shot will be a forehand or a backhand. I mostly have problem when having to play a backhand after playing a fast forehand. Should i move my bat to a neutral position, with the bat pointing straight forward? Often I am to late for the shot resulting in a miss or a block or I have to move back from the table.

Alois Rosario Answered 8 years ago

Hi Sebastian,

Thanks for your kind words about the site. I am glad that you are improving.

When you don't know where the ball is coming, the key is to watch the ball. By watching the ball you will get the earliest information.

Then it is a matter of following the ball with your body.  You don't have time to return to a neutral position in this game.  So watch the ball and follow it with your racket and always face towards where the ball is.  You will find that if you are having problems when the ball is coming to your backhand, it is probably because you are facing slightly towards your forehand side as the ball is coming to you.

Take a look at the lesson on Improving Your Reflexes for a clear explanation.