Ideal distance to return a smash
Table Tennis Strokes and Technique
Last updated 8 years ago
Omonoiadam Hadjivasiliou Asked 12 years ago
Hi.
Where i should stand if i have to reply a smash?
I often go too far and i can't hit a dropshot back. If I stand too close, i don't have enough time to react.
Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago
Hi Omonoiadam,
You should move back to a distance where you can react and play a lob from around waist to shoulder height. If you are too close you will find it difficult to react fast enough and if you are to far back you will give your opponent too much time and space to work with.
Getting a feel for this is experience. Eventually you will just move to the best position.
I think my favourite player, Jan Ove Waldner, was the best at this. It almost looked like players were smashing the ball straight to him because he could position himself so well.
Thoughts on this question
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Omonoiadam Hadjivasiliou Posted 12 years ago
Ian Costello Posted 12 years ago
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
Ian Costello Posted 12 years ago
Ian Costello Posted 12 years ago
Ian Costello Posted 12 years ago
Ian Costello Posted 12 years ago
Ian Costello Posted 12 years ago
Ian Costello Posted 12 years ago
Joe Cawley Posted 12 years ago
Kaustubh Kulkarni Posted 10 years ago
LoL laughter is infectious !!!! :D
Hi! I'm Alois from PingSkills.OmonoiaHaAHaAhahhahahahahhaha ! Loved it :P
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 10 years ago
If you are wondering about all the laughter, here is Alois struggling with Omonoiadam's name.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 10 years ago
Thanks Jeff!
D K Posted 8 years ago
And if I want to chop a smash,should I wait it when it falls at my knees level or try to chop it when it is higher?
And also-should I make a powered brushing fast action or make somthing like shovel move to hold the ball on the bat for a long time-and risk that the ball will not have enough power to get on the table?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 8 years ago
Try to wait till the ball is at between knee and waist height. Just play straight through the chop without a scooping action. As it is travelling fast you can have a very vertical stroke.
D K Posted 8 years ago
It surely is fast
But what confuses me is the fact that the ball is falling quite vertically.
Usually in an angle about 45°.
And have you any cues how to stop properly?
I have many times the problem that I must do a stroke during a full run
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 8 years ago
Keep your legs wide and balanced as much as possible.
D K Posted 8 years ago
OK,I will try
It seems quite difficult though....I have the "closer leg first" habit