Looping when ball is dropping
Strokes and Technique
Ken Cominsky Asked 10 years ago
Hi Alois,
I have a question that I haven't seen answered. When looping, from a physics standpoint, it seems that you have to wait for the ball to reach the top of the arc and start dropping before you brush it up. After the ball is returned to you, you can't brush up on the ball when it's rising or even right at the top of the bounce or the ball will fly up. When I watch slo-mo video of the best players, they loop the ball after it starts dropping. In fact I've seen some shots where the looper almost picks the ball up off the floor, presumably to keep the looped ball low to the net.
Two questions then:
1) Am I completely off here?
2) I hit well when the ball is rising but swing and miss a lot when I try to brush the ball after it starts dropping. I believe that it's a timing issue. Are there any drills or things that I can do to improve this?
Thank you very much for any advice that you can offer.
Ken C.
Alois Rosario Answered 10 years ago
Hi Ken,
Question 1: No
For a slower loop it is easier to wait till the ball is dropping. You can loop the ball when it is rising but you are playing straight across the line of the ball. You need to come more over the ball which will give you a faster shot.
It is strange that you miss it more often when it is dropping but it may just be a timing issue. It could just be you are swinging too much upward and not moving forward to meet the ball first.
Thoughts on this question
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Abhiram Reddy Posted 10 years ago
I change the height from which I start my stroke from depending on the bounce on the ball .Is this alright?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 10 years ago
Hi Abhiram,
Yes that is correct. You can also just change the hitting position along the path of your swing. The stroke always needs slight adjustment depending on the ball that comes to you.
Erriza Shalahuddin Posted 10 years ago
Once I had this mis-hit the ball issue on my FH topspin. Through some experiments, I concluded that the starting position should be low. Then I tried to make sure putting my arm lower than the ball, and the issue is gone. I hope this helps :)
Ken Cominsky Posted 10 years ago
Thank you Erizza,
I've been told by a 2000+ player that I should start my FH TS back-swing lower and lengthen the swing when the return ball speed is slower (either because of opponent's long pushes or a slow table) and shorten my back-swing when the ball is playing fast. This supposedly helps correct timing for different ball return speeds. Your comment kind of follows that train of thought. I'm always hesitant when another player gives me advice on how to improve my game...everyone seems to have an opinion and it's not always correct.
Any thoughts, Alois?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 10 years ago
Hi Ken,
The slower balls will give you more time to swing further and you also need this to generate more speed yourself. When they play fast you don't have as much time and you don't need to generate the speed yourself because the ball is already moving fast.