Very Very Fast Attacks

Indrani Mukherjee Asked 11 years ago

Hi coach

I have been playing for over a year now. One of my opponents sometimes attacks the ball so fast that the ball cannot be seen. In an instance the ball leaves the table.

Now my question is that if I cannot see the ball properly because of its speed then how can I be able to defend it?

Regards

Chandrachur

Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago

Hi Chandrachur,

The solution is not to try and block the fast shot but to stop the opportunity for them to play so fast. This is not easy against a stronger opponent but what you need to aim to do is keep the ball lower and closer to the net to stop them being able to attack so fast.

← New Bat Dimitrij Ovtcharov Serve →

Indrani Mukherjee Posted 11 years ago

Hi coach,

Yes I keep the ball close to the net at the starting of the rally but as the rally continues the speed of the ball keeps increasing. It happens to me that if I also touch the ball slowly the ball goes long. This gives the chance to the opponent to attack. Again at first the attacks are slow. As my opponent attacks I also counter attack and as this continues the the ball becomes very fast and I am not able to defend it.

When I asked him how he is able to hit such a fast ball he told me that by seeing the movement of my racket he get to know where and in which direction the ball will move.

Will you tell me that by seeing the movement of the racket how can I know when and where the ball is going to come.

If possible please make a video.

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago

Hi Chandrachur,

Watching the ball gives you the best opportunity to see where the ball is going. You will pick up other clues as well.

Also think about working on your short push. You can push the ball short even off slightly faster and longer balls if you develop your touch.

Charlie Chung Posted 11 years ago

Perhaps try focusing on where you place the ball during rallies to be less predictable and make your opponent move around more.

Pedro Arellano Posted 11 years ago

I can ABSOLUTELY relate. As always Alois has wonderful advice. Here's my two cents. Keep playing with that player. You will learn to see the ball. I remember thinking OMG there is no way I will ever be able to return something like that. Now I find myself blocking and even counterhitting stuff I would have never thought myself capable of. Actually I don't even realize what I'm doing sometimes, it just happens that quickly. I LOVE when that happens. It's such a rush! Be patient. It will take a while, but it will happen more quickly if you keep playing with him. I like asking a good player to smash at me and allow me to block, lob or chop at him or her. Good ones will slowly ramp it up for you to give you time to adjust. Btw, I workout with a heart rate monitor. Surprisingly blocking smashes gets my heart rate up into the aerobic zone. It's a great workout. Good luck brother!

mat huang Posted 11 years ago

Personally if he is about to loop, you should stand back and start to counterloop. If he is still too fast then you'll need to practice being faster

chris wood Posted 11 years ago

i would top spin it more when i smash it