Interesting forehand looping technique

Mantas Pocius Asked 14 years ago

Hi,

I just have found interesting forehand "forward loop off no spin or topspin" guide from the Chinese national team.

Here is the link:

Forward Loop Guide

Here is a video, how Wang Liqin does it:

Wang Liqin Looping on YouTube

 I can see that Liqin's blade angle isn't 80-90 degrees, rather like 45 degrees. But I can see some chinese players do it with about 65-80 degrees  closed blade (Hao Shuai, Zhang Yike and others)

 So what do you think about this technique? Is it proper? Should I learn it or ignore? 

Jeff Plumb Answered 14 years ago

Hi Mantas,

I wouldn't encourage the bat to be at 90 degrees to the ground for all topspin strokes. If you are playing against a topspin ball then definitely the racket should be angled probably more at a 45 degree angle. And as you point out in the video, this is what Wang Liqin is doing. You need to be able to counter the topspin and the easiest and most logical way to do this is by closing the angle of your bat.

Off a backspin ball you are able to open up the angle as this helps you counter the ball being dragged down.

I also don't recommend changing the angle of your bat during the stroke. The article seems to be suggesting that as soon as you have hit the ball it is OK to then change the angle of your bat. This means you need to get the timing exactly right as to when to change the angle. I think there are too many things that could go with a stroke like this. I would recommend keeping the angle the same throughout the stroke.