Sidespin on Smashes

Strokes and Technique

Tom Aldous
Tom Aldous Asked 12 years ago

Hi Pingskills,

I have always been wondering if you could trick your opponenent with a spinny smash to keep them off guard and could it be consistent? Is it possible you could answer this question by video as i am a visual learner. 


Alois Rosario
Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago

Hi Tom,

I think that a bit of variation with your smashing always helps.  If you put a bit of spin on the ball it will make it harder for your opponent.

However I would only use it if you are playing a player that is especially good at retrieving.  Make sure it doesn't mean that your shot becomes more risky. You already have them in a winning position so make sure you close out the point first. 

I hope the Premium members vote on this one for you for a video response. 


Thoughts on this question


andrew brand

andrew brand Posted 12 years ago

i do find it very helpful when im in a smash/lob rally, putting one normal smash wide to their forehand, then if they lob to my backhand side i step around and have a really good angle to smash with some fade on it to their backhand side, this leads to a huge angle thats virtually impossible for them to run fast enough to get the next ball. you only need to angle your bat around the left side of the ball a bit and smash a bit more sideways to get the fade, it works a treat.

DHS Lover

DHS Lover Posted 11 years ago

what's that video ?


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago

It is about sidespin smash and how to put sidespin on the smash to make it a bit more difficult to return.


DHS Lover

DHS Lover Posted 11 years ago

oh i see... too bad i can't watch it, but for sure i'll watch it after i have some moneys for the premium member...

thank you ^^


D K

D K Posted 9 years ago

Alois??!
Why did you tell me that you are not planning a sidespin stroke lessons?

When it is already there?

Yes,for me it is unavailable,but still.


Johan B

Johan B Posted 9 years ago

I love backspin and sidespin smashes (faded ones are easier to keep fast as compared to a tomahawk chop smash, though) ... I used them in combination with dropshots and slow topspins last Thursdays against a guy who likes to stand away from the table and lop. Worked like a charm :))


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