Japanese Penholder close to the table blocker and attacker
Match Strategy
cuong tong Asked 11 years ago
There is this guy from our local club who always stay close to the table and flat hit the ball.
He either topspin the ball or hit it flat, mostly flat and it is fast. He is also good at blocking and with very good angle.
His backhand is mostly his weakness but i can't keep drilling to his backhand all the times as he get used to it.
What should be the strategy against this guy?
Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago
Hi Cuong,
Sometimes playing to the strength, then opens up the weakness. If you play some balls to his forehand side this will move him over and then expose the backhand. If you play more to the backhand it allows him to get set up there. Moving and playing the backhand is a lot harder than being in position and playing it.
Try this out and see how it goes.
Also try to vary the speed and spin on your shots. If he hits the ball flat and from close he will be relying on your speed. A slower ball can sometimes be effective.
Thoughts on this question
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cuong tong Posted 11 years ago
Thanks Alois,
I will have a go at the recommended strategy and see how it goes.
Cheers,
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Let us know how it goes.
Paul Yuan Posted 11 years ago
Hi Coach,
I found there are three types of blocking from penholder players, counter blocking, quick blocking and soft blocking. The soft blocking make the ball rebound very high at the table edge of my backhand. The change of momentum and height makes second stroke easy to outside.
Could you give me a tip?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Hi Paul,
Yes, on the slower one, try to have a more forward motion to get the ball lower and on the table. It is easy also to reach forward when the ball is slower. Try to be patient and wait for the ball to come into the hitting zone.
eduardo espinosa Posted 11 years ago
Hello, Cuong. I must assume that this guy is not very good on his footwork. Keep attacking his backhand. Aim to the sidelines as you can. Traditional penholders can't hit high balls on their b/h. Also aim to his elbow spot. J-penholders have to switch the fingers quite a bit when have to change from b/h to f/h position of the racket (although this guy won't have much problem in this area since he's a flat hitter). Try slow loaded loops to his backhand (He will definitely have problems in this area). And, finally, something you can do against any flat hitter, use no spin balls yourself every time you can, even short no-spin services.