Match advice against defenders

Matt M Asked 9 years ago

Hi guy's, I'm sure you would have spoke about this before, but I'm just hoping you can give me some advice with a match I have coming up, 2 of the players are defenders who will only chop and push but I struggle against this, especially as one of them plays with a kind of hard bat and one plays with regular inverted rubbers, If you could give me a few tips and advice to get the ball past what feels like a wall! 

Thanks guys.

Matt

p.s we need ask the coach show back! I keep checking my podcast feed! :p

Alois Rosario Answered 9 years ago

Hi Matt,

A couple of things to focus on a defensive player.  One is to take advantage of balls when they are close to the table to attack them.

Secondly, the middle, under their armpit, is usually a good area to attack to.

Be patient especially if they don’t attack at all or much.  So lift the ball a little higher with more after, or even push the ball back if you are unsure of the spin or if you are not in position to make a topspin shot.  Then when you are in position and you have a higher or shorter ball you can play faster.

Tyr to also serve short to bring them in to the table before making your attacking stroke.

For our Premium members we have a lesson in our Match Strategy section on Playing A Defensive Chopper which will help.

The Ask the Coach Show is going to happen in the next few days.  Jeff is back and just getting over some jet lag before we can get this show on the road again!