Two questions about Chopping

Kronos Chow Asked 15 years ago

Hi coach,

I am playing defense now and I have found some difficulties: What should be the tactics of a chopper? When I serve, I am close to the table. My opponent can topspin the ball quickly that I cannnot chop fast enough. Then I tried getting away from the table after service and my opponent does some short push. How should I move so I can return short push as well as having time to react when he loops?

Another question I have is related to the one above: Is it possible to chop when I am close to table? When I try I either end up sending the ball out of table or returning with no spin at all.

Jeff Plumb Answered 15 years ago

Hi,

You have just described why you need to be a great athlete to be a good chopper. You need to have really good footwork so that you can move in and out from the table very quickly.

The tactics of choppers used to simply be wait for an opponents mistake. But the modern chopper also possesses a potent forehand attack. By having a good foreand attack your opponent can no longer just push the ball around and wait for an easy ball to attack. They must get on the attack as soon as possible or they will be defending themselves.

When you serve, you have two main options.

Firstly you can serve the ball short. If you serve the ball short with backspin, it is difficult for your opponent to attack the ball. This means you can stay close to the table for their return. 

Secondly you can serve the ball long. When you serve the ball long you need to move back from the table as your opponent is most likely going to attack the ball. Even if they don't attack it, it is very difficult to keep a long serve short meaning you will have time to move in if they don't attack the serve.

With long pimples, it is possible (but difficult) to chop the ball from close to the table. With a normal inverted rubber, it is almost impossible to chop a strong loop from close to the table. If you are caught in this situation, it is a much better option to try and block the ball.