Loops against short pimple rubber

Ivan Kopcanski Asked 12 years ago

Hello there :)

I started to play tournaments with a lot of defensive players and funny rubbers. I have troubles in starting an attack against balls returned by short pimples. Usually they are slow and with enough of back spin so my loop ends in net. The same goes for opponent's chops with smooth rubber and heavy back spin. The opponents often use short pimples for serve return and to slow down the ball. They usually attack only after forcing me to error when I play high over the net. That's because I often quit my loop and helplessly bounce the ball over. I'm a skilled player, I play against offensive players for almost 20 years now. I just decided to challenge myself with defensive style, it is great for increasing the patience at least. :)

So, how to loop against long back spin balls returned by short pimples?

Thank you in advance for your answers :)

Jeff Plumb Answered 12 years ago

Hi Ivan,

With short pimples, your opponent can generate some spin but not as much as if they were using normal rubber. So if you push the ball and they push it back, you need to attack the ball with a forehand topspin and make sure you brush the ball.

Take a look at our video on the Forehand Topspin Off Backspin. This will be still be applicable against a push with the short pimples even if the ball does not have as much backspin.

← Side-Top Spin Butterfly Tenergy05 v Joola Rhythm375 →

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Ivan Kopcanski Posted 12 years ago

Hi Jeff,

Thank you, your advice and video are helpful in getting me back on good track to practice correct arm movement.

What I've found interesting is that I always tend to perform classic hard and fast top spin against back spin ball.

Despite the fact I do the more vertical movement, I still keep hitting the ball fast with heavy rubber contact,

by tending to overcome and neutralize back spin effect with speed and strength. I keep failing with balls in the net.

I could make lighter contact with ball, but I instinctively hit it hart to win the point at once.

I saw couple of people doing perfect, low, heavy spin against any kind of chopped ball that is very hard to block or return.

I'm so eager to learn that so I can't stop imagining all kinds of arm movements and tips on how to improve the shot. :)

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
Hi Ivan,

I think the main thing that you should focus on is the brushing contact. If you can get this contact first then you can start to focus on the control of the ball. So get the spin contact right first and don't worry too much about where the ball is going. You will start to get a nice feeling of the ball hitting the bat and the biting feeling into the rubber. Once you feel comfortable with this then focus on placement.