Short push location on the bat

Strokes

Richard Henderson
Richard Henderson Asked 6 years ago

I saw a video by an old Irish coach who was very sharp.  He made a point that I have only heard him make.  He said that on a short push, you should try to have the ball hit your bat pretty close to your hand so soften the stroke and make it easier to keep it low and close to the net.  I have never heard you and Jeff make reference to that type of advice.  How do you feel about it?  Thanks

Richard Henderson

UC Davis, California

Alois Rosario
Member Badge Alois Rosario Answered 6 years ago

Hi Richard,

I like to think about hitting the ball as early as possible off the bounce to keep it short.  To do that I feel you can hit the ball closer to the lower edge of the bat so that the time between bounce and contact is less.  From there you can also add more spin.

The other thing to thin about for keeping it short is to add a little sidespin on the ball. We describe this when we talk about the Drop Shot off a Lob stroke.

 

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Short Push

Mastering the short push can be your secret weapon in table tennis! We break down the essential techniques to help you dominate by keeping your opponents on the back foot. Whether you're tired of your pushes getting punished or looking to elevate your game, this guide is for you. What You’ll Learn:

  • Early Contact for Control: Discover how stepping in quickly and hitting the ball right after the bounce can transform your pushes into precise, low shots.
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Bonus Training Tip: Try the Short Push Game to practice your skills under real-game conditions!

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