How to return a net ball

luis mendez Asked 14 years ago

Hi, i have problems when im playing with balls that touch the net and then rebound in my side of the table, i usually out of bonds, the most usually situation is the next, im attacking with topspin the other person block and return the ball to my side but it touch the net, and when i see the ball is high but i dont know how to hit the ball, I usually get the ball out of the table or too high and then he smash it, for other way when im doing a topspin and he seems to cut the ball far away from the table, i said seems because i can listen how he is hitting not brushing the ball, but it comes slowly and high, but the ball touch the net, and in that situation, i really dont have any idea on how to return it because it is short, slow and soft, so help me please, because at the first i thought it was just a lucky balls but im realizing that he makes that kind of shots very often. Thanks.

Alois Rosario Answered 14 years ago

Hi Luis,

Firstly I don;t think anyone can consistently hit the ball deliberately to touch the net in a match, so he probably is a bit lucky.

The idea when the ball touches the net is that it slows down a little.  This increases the effect of the spin in some cases because the ball is travelling slower.  You need to be really soft with your hands on this shot and just touch the ball lightly.

The other important thing is to be balanced as much as you can so that when the ball does touch the net you have time to be able to adjust to the change.  If you are not balanced this becomes very difficult. 

I also see players stop as soon as the ball hits the net.  They give up the point blaming their bad luck.  In fact in a lot of cases if they chase the ball down they would be able to return it. 

I think one of the best shots I have seen is a shot by Wang Hao in the World Teams championships in Doha.  He was in position to counter topspin from close to the table. The ball hit the net and went on to his side.  He was able to stop his shot and stay balanced and then play a winning counter topspin of that ball.

Net shots are difficult to return but if you can stay focused and balanced you will give yourself a good chance of returning it.