Returning smashes as a tactic

Marcin Lonak Asked 9 years ago

Hello Alois, Hello Jeff

I have seen a match by Andrzej Grubba where Grubba was leading i believe something like 19-14 on the way to win the match. The next point, it seemed to me, he left the ball on purpose for a smash for the opponent and did a lot of returnig of smashes. At the end he lost the point, but made two "easy" points with lot of touch, to win the match afterwards.

When i practice smashes and returning of smashes, it seems to me that smashes are much more exhausting and after some smashes its more difficult to find the right feeling for the bat.

Could it be that Grubba sacrificed the point on purpose to get the opponent a little tired after some smashes?

Alois Rosario Answered 9 years ago

Hi Marcin,

Without seeing the actual situation I can’t say for sure, but I don’t think that would have been the motivation behind the point.  Maybe he was feeling like he really had the match under control and wanted to entertain the spectators.

If you can find the link to the match again and send it to me, I will take a look.