How to do chop?

xchg Unknown Asked 16 years ago

Hi Coach!

I wanted to ask, how do I perform a chop stroke? I read about chop in Wikipedia, and it says the direction of the stroke is straight down, taken well away from the table. It appears to me that you can use chop against topspin, and topspin against chop as well.

So is it all true? Do you have any tips about how to chop?

Thanks in advance)

Alois Rosario Answered 16 years ago

Hi,

To play a forehand Chop stroke you start with your bat just behind your right ear.  Your finish is at your right knee.  Your stance is more side on to the table than most other strokes because you have more time.

Have your bat at around 45 degrees (facing the roof) throughout the stroke.

It is effective against a topspin stroke, but you need to be away from the table.  How far away depends on the strength of the topspin. 

Sounds like we will have to do a video on this stroke and put it on our lessons page.  Stray tuned.