Playing against an excellent blocker

Vic Unknown Asked 15 years ago

Hi,

I am intermediate player who can attack very consistently.

I play against my friend who is excellent blocker (at our pace).

Every time, I hit top spin, he blocks it back. If I create too much angle with shots, he block them back with same angle.

I play close to table ( like half arm length from table) and can attack from both wings.

Since, he block and returns my spin back, it throws me off balance.

Please advice how to play such a player.

Best Regards

Alois Rosario Answered 15 years ago

Hi Vic,

The key to playing blockers is to very the spin and speed as well as the placement.

Work on playing some slower balls as well as fast balls.  Often blockers like the ball coming fast at them. They use your speed to outplace you.  Because their strokes don't take as much time they will outplace you in a lot of cases.  The other thing to focus on in changing the spin on the ball.  If you play with some heavy and some less spin it will make it miore difficult for a blocker.

Don't play too many wide balls in the rally unless you can finish the rally.  They again will use your placement to outplace you as they need less time and movement to play their strokes.