How to counter a chop block
Strokes
Rohan Keogh Asked 6 years ago
Hi Guys. I play against a work colleague who often uses a chop block (with low spin inverted rubbers) to return a topspin serve. The ball usually comes back mid-long. I'm never quite sure sure what amount of backspin (if any) is on the ball. What's a good basic approach to dealing with these returns?
Alois Rosario Answered 6 years ago
Hi Rohan,
The best approach is to do a slower spin initially. Give it plenty of height over the net and good topspin to get the ball to dip onto the table. The stroke to copy is the Forehand Topspin Off Backspin. Judging the amount of spin will come with practice but the higher topspin and slower topspin will give you plenty of margin for error.
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Jack Tan Posted 6 years ago
Hello Rohan! Im a chop blocker myself, so perhaps I can give you some insight from my point of view, however I would like to know more details about your colleague's chop block. When does he/she normally use it? When the ball lands on your side of the table, how many times does it bounce?
Rohan Keogh Posted 6 years ago
OK thanks. I usually miss long so I assume I'm predicting/reading more backspin than there is and attacking with my bat too open. Should I still use the topspin against backspin but with a slightly more closed bat angle?
Yes I think that is a good option. Get more spin on the topspin too to get the ball to dip.