Attacking Short Balls
Table Tennis Service Return
Last updated 10 years ago
Francisco Cespedes Grau Asked 12 years ago
I'm having problem with those balls cause if i see a long ball I want to make a strong attack, but, how I attack this kind of balls?, Should I wait for the ball drop? or hit it at the top of the bounce? If I hit at the top of the bounce it should be a topspin stroke? cause the ball would be still in the table and I have problems doing topspin when the ball is still on the table, is it a more flat contact?
I'm playing in low level and most of players do short half balls serving, cause they dont think of doing short or a fast ball, that's why I want to learn to attack this balls nicely.
Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago
Hi Francisco,
You should try to move forward on this ball. If they are a little higher you can topspin the ball by coming over it. You need to brush over the top of the ball very fast though and have you bat quite closed to generate enough topspin to get it over the net and straight back down on to the table quickly.
If you see that the ball is only going to bounce once then you can wait a little longer and swing up on the ball more with a lower backswing.
Thoughts on this question
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Francisco Cespedes Grau Posted 11 years ago
Thanks for the video answer, i will try to develop my sidespin flick and my forehand topspin over the table with a fast brusing action, which i think i have a good consistency now.
Thanks!
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
You're welcome Francisco. These are advanced strokes and do take plenty of practice to master.
RJ Roldan Posted 11 years ago
Thankyou :D
Now I Know :D
Hahaha .
Cristh Garrido Posted 11 years ago
Hi Alois and Pingskills
i have a doubt, this stroke is not very risky????
if i move this for the forehand i let the side of backhand empty...and if my opponent can block this ball??? is not safer the flick???or this stroke is 100% effective???
besides when i can make this stroke???with all the short balls???
Thanks
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Hi Cristh,
Yes they are risky strokes. You can flick the ball as well. It is a matter of judgement. If the ball is a little higher you can play the forehand over the table. If you have developed a good backhand sidespin flick then that is also an option.
mat huang Posted 11 years ago
Yeah, but thats what table tennis is about. If they make a block then you have to have faast footwork to recover or use the cross step ( i use). I think, the main reason the "pros" use the flick is generally because they dont have enough time to pivot cuz their opponents a generally very good. Forhand is generally much stronger than the backhand cuz you could have the power of the whole body, hips, legs, arm. Nevertheless, some peoples bh could be stronger that their fh
Terry Hoobler Posted 11 years ago
In looking at the video, especially the still depicted on the end of the video, it looks like your opponent would have almost all of the table on your left side to direct a return since your attack is quite fast. Or, do you really have enough time to get back?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
I think if you go around and make that sort of a shot then it needs to be a winner.
Terry Hoobler Posted 11 years ago
That said then my question is moot.
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
It is a good point though Terry. If you do get into positions like that you do need to be very aggressive and go for the winner. Some of the top players in the World, like Ma Lin and Wang Hao, have incredible footwork and seem to be able to recover from extreme positions but this is another aspect that helps make them the best.
Luke Sprice Posted 11 years ago
what if your a opponent has a very fast return on the backhand flick
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Then you will need to focus on keeping the ball really low or put a little more backspin on it to make it harder for them to use their flick.
Luke Sprice Posted 11 years ago
Oh thanks that really does help!!
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Good to hear.
Justin O'Toole Posted 11 years ago
What happens if theese short balls come over very short, with heavy slice right to left and left to right time and time again as this makes it extemely hard to hit away. This can stop a player totally from attacking. So how do you deal with them so you can hit em away rendering your opponent useless.
Any answers Jeff as i'm sure many players have had this problem.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Hi Justin,
You can just push these back short if you can and wait for a better opportunity to attack. If you can keep the ball short the opportunity will come.
Justin O'Toole Posted 11 years ago
Well i know one thing when you go to attack a ball just swing faster not harder technique is the key. Also don't think about it should i or shouldent i attack the ball. Just make up your mind and do it quickly as possible, wham 100% wham.!!!! Too much time to thinking about it causes prblems i.e. changing you mind and being in two minds, fear and a shot that misses by miles.
Just do it pronto right away kill it attack it. This is the key but sometimes it is easier said than done i know that for a fact. One last thing don't worry if you miss, think of it like this (you won't die wondering).
Haris Ansari Posted 11 years ago
now my game is more effective
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
That is good to hear Haris.
Justin O'Toole Posted 11 years ago
With very short balls you need perfect footwork and have to be very fast. You must get your foot right under the table very quickly, then attack drive, flick, counter or loop kill. Remember when you attack be quick, positive and really go for the winner. Don't let fear take over just step in and kill it. What do you think Master Alois is my advice any good.?
Also Alois what would you do to a short ball you wanted to attack.? Your the Master, Mentor, Professional, the Guru. I think i might know or other ping pong player think they might know but, at the end of the day we are only an amatuers trying to get better. we are not a professionals like you like you.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Hi Justin,
Geting in close to the table is important or you can step down the side of the table as well.
elvin tee Posted 10 years ago
If the ball has backspin or topspin, we need to change the angle of bat or not?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 10 years ago
Yes it is important to change the angle depending on the type of spin.
Justin O'Toole Posted 10 years ago
Just don't think about just hit it when hitting a short ball. Just read the spin to work out your angle and step in or down the side of the table, but remember don't wait move fast and attack it. Just think winner and wham, but be careful a good player has the ability to return it so be ready just in case he does.
Foot work and confidence is the key just decide to hit the short ball step in and don't worry about the result. Worrying will make you hesitant so just step in and kill it.
divyam tyagi Posted 10 years ago
thanks sir I will try to dovoloup my side spin flick and my top spin thanks from divyam