Timing

Alois Rosario Answered 18 years ago

In general you want to hit the ball at the top of the bounce.  From there you have more options as the ball is higher so why not.  However it is not that simple.  It is more a question of where the ball is in relation to you when you contact it.

For a slower and spinnier stroke it is easier to hit the ball from next to you.  For a faster flatter stroke it is easier to hit theball a bit in front of you.

When you are playing against heavy backspin it is easier to hit the ball when it is beside you and around hip high so that you can come up on the ball more vertically.

It is easier to hit the backspin ball when it is next to you or a little later in its trajectory.

It is easier to hit against block from a little further forward of your body.

Against loop it depends on the type of stroke you want to play.  If it is a slower topspin (loopier stroke) it is easier to hit it later and next to your body.  If you want to make a counter topspin it is easier to hit it earlier off the bounce or more in front of you.

The key is experiment for yourself.  See what feels comfortable for you and what works. You can make all of these strokes as long as you are balanced during your stroke.

The principles for forehand and backhand are the same.

Hope this helps.  If the explanation is a bit complicated let me ask me again and I will try to clarify it further.