Tactics for serve return with long pimples
Match Strategy
Carl Alexander Asked 11 years ago
Hi guys,
I use long pimples on my backhand and some opponents give me long dead ball serves to my backhand which are hard to do much with. Lots of times I will flip the paddle and topspin it back with the smooth side, but this often gets me into a fast topspin rally which I don't want. Ideally I'd like to push or chop these dead/light topspin serves with the smooth side to introduce underspin into the rally but I haven't been very successful doing this. Maybe I take the ball too soon, I don't know. Is there some type of technique to push these types of serves?
Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago
Hi Carl,
To push these no spins balls you need to generate your own spin by brushing under the ball. You will also need to generate your own speed on this shot. It is possible with a bit of practice.
The other thing that you can do is after hitting the topspin with the smooth rubber to switch back to the pimples on the backhand and then you will be able to use the speed and topspin on the ball to generate the backspin. It makes the rally interesting for you and also very awkward for your opponent.
Thoughts on this question
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Carl Alexander Posted 11 years ago
Thanks for the quick answer. What I return with the smooth side I usually hit a hard drive and if comes back it comes back fast. No time to twiddle back. I'm not good at looping with the backhand. Are there other alternatives?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Hi Carl,
I remember a long pimple player telling me he used to sit in front of the TV with his bat in his hand and just kept twiddling. This is a good way to practice getting the change faster. It almost becomes part of your stroke as you are playing the drive. I think this is an effective move forward for you.
Also think about practicing the push with the backhand off the no spin ball.
Another alternative is to practice your flat hard push with the long pimples. You really need to punch the ball forward and flat. This is a risky stroke but one that long pimple players use effectively.
Sasha Savic Posted 11 years ago
That's good tip, Alois. But, there is a problem. I have a 1,5 mm sponge on my long pimple and, when I return with a flat push, the ball loses it's rotation and becomes numb, and easy to attack. Can I try to reverse the spin by pushing under the ball with LP, when my opponent serves with spin, side, under, or topspin? And if the ball is flat, can I try to hit it in some way? Also, I tried to hit flat the side spin serve, no wobbling, I really don't understand. Maybe you can help me
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
You could try using a thinner sponge. This will help with the effect of the long pimple.
If you think about how the ball is rotating, with each spin, you can help it on its way by playing in the same direction. So if they put topspin on the ball and you come down on the ball or under it then it will give them more backspin. If however they play with backspin you can brush up on the ball slightly to give it more topspin.
Sasha Savic Posted 11 years ago
Here's the deal. If I use thinner sponge, what thickness should it be, because I have defensive blade and I am afraid it will be too slow. Especially for chopping away from table. I agree with suggestion about topspin and backspin, but, what about side spin serve, how can I increase the spin in that situation? I asked about Joo Se Hyuk. I know he is professional player who has hours and hours training, and that is not the issue. What I am interested in is this: I see that almost every serve returns by brushing under the ball with LP. I don't see him hitting flat when returning, and I know that he has 1,5 mm sponge. I'll be waiting for your comment on this issue, especially about the side spin serve. Thank you, I must say I enjoy these discussions.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Hi sasha,
By pushing straight through the sidespin serve is where you will get the wobble. Joo Se Hyuk does sometimes come flat at the ball. He may start in the push position but on contact flattens the bat out to push through the ball.
Sasha Savic Posted 11 years ago
Is there any video to see how to create wobbling effect
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
We haven't done one yet. Something for the future.
parkash rawat Posted 8 years ago
Wobbling effect video is long overdue Alois.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 8 years ago
Yes, thanks, will add it to the list Parkash.
Derek Maltby Posted 8 years ago
Is it easy to attack with long pimples on the backhand, too often I put the ball in the net. How about the backhand flick?
Derek
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 8 years ago
It isn't really a good rubber for attacking unless they play with backspin to you.
Take a look at this lesson on LP Attack Against Backspin.