Running backhand smash

Mikey Silverio Asked 11 years ago

Sometimes my opponent loops a ball very wide to my forehand and I have to leave the table wide open to loop it back. That is when my opponent tries to tap the ball on to backhand side of the table. Fortunately, the ball is really high because of the topspin. But I have to make a mad dash to get it. It's a race against time because the opponent pushed me far from the table and there isn't enough time to return to a square position at the table. I don't have the best footwork to pivot/sidestep and use my forehand so I resort to a sort of running backhand smash. Sometimes it goes into the net, sometimes it goes over the table. What should I do?

Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago

Hi Mikey,

On the wide ball make sure you are going back cross court and as wide as you can.  THis will mean that they won't be able to angle you wide on your backhand side easily.

If they do catch you out wide again on your backhand you probably need to do a running backhand which is a difficult ball.  Really the damage has already been done by them being able to play you wide to both sides.

Attempting the backhand on the run is your best option.  If you can make 50% of these you are doing well because at that stage the point is probably 80% in their favour.