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The meaning of this element that you are also using speed and spin of the ball you receive, in other words, you do not add your power and spin, but use the one that was input by the opponent.
When performing this element, the inclination of the racket is slightly more closed than in the classic top-spin from the block. Especially it is necessary to draw attention to the fact that at the time of the racket passing through the ball, you don’t have to play it hard.
In table tennis, there are concepts – “game ball” and “the ball game”. Let’s study them.
“The ball game” is when maximum rotation is added to the ball due to the rubber grip, i.e. the blade does not mostly participate in such game. We can say that this is a more gentle, “sliding” ball handling.
The best example of the ball game is chop. If a tough clash occurred between racket and a ball, it is called a push, rather than a chop. Qualitative chop is when the lining “slips” along the ball, adding maximum rotation to it, but not adding any speed.
The same principle is used for interception. The rubber “slips” greatly on the ball and it does not receive an excessive rigidity.
“The game ball” is, as you guessed, the opposite of “ball game”. Here, by contrast, comes a tough game ball, rubber is forced under ball’s pressure and we actually feel the blade participating in the element.
The best example of a ball game is a final smash without rotation (which, incidentally, is very rarely used in pure form in today’s table tennis).
We have elaborated on the moment when racket passes through the ball because this point is critical when performing counter-loop on the table. Once you play the “ball” hard – your “interception” immediately flies over the table.
Few words about the movement itself. Correct swing is very important for performing the “interception” and “twisting”.
Since we use the speed and spin of the received ball standing close to the table, when implementing this element, we need a much shorter backswing. The hand starts its movement, not going below the table level. It stays bent at the elbow.
Legs and pelvis also do not go down and sideways, the athlete‘s position is neutral. The core is turned a little bit when performing backswing.
While performing this element the slope of the bat is slightly more closed compared to the basic version of the forehand topspin against the block.
Let’s dwell on the moment of passing the racket through the ball. As mentioned above, the racquet “slips the ball” more than “strokes” it. But the speed of the racket passing through the ball is also important here. The racket should be ahead of the ball, of course, in fact, it’s impossible, but you must support this desire. If you will try to get ahead of the ball in the moment of touching between the racket and the ball, the ball will lie on a table. But if the racket would pass through the ball with the lack of speed, the ball flies off the table because you do not have time to block the rotation that you receive.
Variation #6. Forehand top-spin on the outflying ball
We turn now to a rather complex and unusual variation, unusual among the people playing at an Amateur level. The fact of the matter is that there is a number of variations, which are studied only after reaching a certain level in table tennis – it does not mean that these variations are much more difficult to accomplish. No. That just means that without mastering these variations it’s hard to progress further at a more serious level. And at the same time, it is hardly known about such variations at a lower level of mastering this technique.
If you master variation No. 6, you get a significant advantage among your fellow athletes. And they most likely will not even understand what is going on and how you manage to do this.
Imagine that you are receiving a simple bottom spin serve. The ball strikes your side for the first time and then flies out the table, but not too far, just 10 cm. And if you didn’t know in advance that this serve would fly 10 cm off the back edge of the table, you would have thought that this serve is short, isn’t it?
That’s exactly the kind of ball called “flying a little out” (sometimes referred to as simply flying out or “thin”). By the way, in English, this ball has a more creative name half-long ball that literally can be translated as a semi-long ball. This is the only English term for such ball; but in Russian, there is no clear term for this ball. Most coaches and athletes call it differently.
What is the difference between the forehand top-spin on such a ball from usual chopped top-spin?
The fact of the matter is that such ball uncomfortable to approach on legs. If you’d try to apply top-spin to this ball with
exactly the same movement as for chop, then it won’t work. Your legs will not be able to take such a position where the ball, that is out for 10 cm, will be exactly in the same position relative to the body, as in case of chopped top-spin.
You may have guessed, why isn’t it possible to approach such ball with the same convenience as in case of chop. The secret is that the table would hinder you to put the left foot properly. Or you can stay in the position in which you are performing the chopped top-spin, but in this case, the ball will be strongly ahead of your body that won’t allow you to process it and add a spin to it.
How is it then possible to perform forehand top-spin this ball?
The main nuance of top-spin performance on such a ball is the position of your legs. If at the ordinary chopped top-spin we put our left foot a little bit ahead of the right one, in this case, it is completely the opposite. We do a half-step forward with your right foot and only then perform top-spin.
When you do this, note the following techniques: If we include the motion of legs and pelvis during the chopped top-spin, then when performing top-spin on the outflying ball all the basic work is done by the forearm and hand. We think you understand that making a step forward with right foot, you lose the possibility of a full-fledged movement, but it is not necessary in case of this element.
The fact of the matter is that the ball, which flew out on 10 cm over the back edge, does not have such a strong spin, as in case of long chop. Plus the distance to which we should send this ball is reduced almost to a meter, which makes the task easier for us.
In the end, we just need to give this ball a strong rotation, without large power, i.e. not making a move forward.
Do you remember when we discussed the previous variation, we talked about such concepts as “the ball game” and “the game ball”? When performing a top-spin on the outflying ball these concepts are also relevant.
When performing top-spin on the outflying ball, we have to play exactly “to the ball”, without exerting any pressure on it, because we need to send the ball to the table at a higher trajectory. After all, the ball flew just 10 cm out, and if we play it hard, the ball would lack a trajectory reserve to fly over the net. That is why we need a good spin that is provided by the “game ball”. That is, the performance of this element also involves rubber and minimum use of the blade.
The similarity of top-spin on the outflying ball with the previous variation only in this component. The movement itself is directed upwards here. The tilt of the racket is the same as with the chopped top-spin.
As already mentioned, the main work is done by the forearm and the hand at this top-spin. Therefore arm is unbent at the elbow, and then performs an upward movement. The hand also helps the forearm as much as possible to handle the ball.
Let’s go back to the feet standing. We expose the right foot forward sitting down as low as possible. At this point, the right leg is heavily loaded and bent at an angle of 90 degrees.
We also lower the body. We can say that we are “folding” to perform this top-spin.
Another important point is the end of the movement.
If in case of classic top-spin from the block and chopped top-spin we finish the movement in the forehead area, here the move is stopped earlier. You will not be able to complete the movement. This was not supported by the initial position and the overall motion path.
Now a few words about how to use this top-spin in the game. It is used to launch the attack and seize the initiative in a situation when there was a minimum opportunity for this.
Do you remember at the beginning of the description of the variations we told that it’s being studied at a higher professional level (or it is learned by young athletes who have all reasons to pursue this level). And for good reason, since it is only at this level it becomes critical to start an attack with the ball barely flew behind the rear edge of the table. At a high level, if an athlete misses (doesn’t see) such a ball, there’s a 90% possibility he’ll play it long enough so that the opponent would start his own attack.
That is, if you have missed your chance at the beginning of the attack, your opponent will seize this chance. And at a high level, the initiative possession means a lot, and it is highly undesired to ignore the outflying balls.
At the amateur level, this is nothing to worry about, because there is often no such desperate struggle for the beginning of the attack. If you master the forehand top-spin to the outflying ball, you get a huge advantage.
Top-spin on half-long balls can be used to receive the serve of an opponent, when it is a little bit longer and simply with any flying out balls that are in the game.
Let’s look at another point worth emphasizing. Many athletes, performing such top-spin, try to win points due to them and it is the fundamentally wrong approach.
As we found out, top-spin on the half-long ball is performed with the maximum number of spin that is, it has no power. And it is not necessary. It performs a preparatory function for us. Performing this top-spin in the form of strong rotation, we put the opponent in a difficult position.
Let’s consider options of receiving such ball. Under the option, that the opponent will try to aggressively counter-attack, considering the fact that the ball is not too fast and has a higher trajectory and we performed top-spin, taking into account the recommendations, giving it maximum rotation, the chance of opponent’s successful counter-attack is reduced to 20—30%. If our top-spin has a little rotation, then the probability of opponent’s successful counterattacks is 60—70%. Erring once, or better, twice, in carrying out counter-attacks an opponent will just start driving this ball, and we will have an excellent opportunity to continue the attack and win points.
That’s what the forehand top-spin on a half-long ball is used for. The purpose of its use – to seize the initiative, put your opponent in an uncomfortable situation and prepare for the opportunity to continue the attack and win points.
Another aspect that we cannot ignore.
The attentive reader noted that when the forehand topspin (loop) is performed on the flying ball from the right-hand corner, the left leg, of course, hinders. And what about the left corner? We can safely bet your foot over the corner of the table, and nothing would interfere us.
And the reader will be right. Much of what we now discuss (in addition to tactical points), refers specifically to the forehand top-spin on the half-long ball from the right side of the table.
When playing from the left side there is really nothing hinders us and we can take a full position, placing a left foot forward, but the tilt and the passage of the racket through the ball remain the same. It is also important to play “the ball”, adding it a good spin. And similarly, the main share of the work is performed by the forearm and hand, and the movement ends slightly earlier.
These technical issues remain the same because we are talking about a ball that flew only 10 cm out and we must not try to play it immediately. We need to prepare ourselves, playing the ball safely and with good rotation.
Incidentally, it is much easier for children to play such balls than for adults, because they are not hindered by a table and due to a small stature, they can safely put the left leg under the table and perform a full top-spin to the outflying ball.
Still, we recommend coaches to teach kids to play with this ball technically correct because it is always difficult to relearn. It is much easier to instantly learn the correct execution.
Variation #7. Forehand top-spin on the uprated ball
In the game, there are often balls that are very easy for winning points.
For example, you made a short serve with a side top-spin, your opponent didn’t notice that, he performed a chop and the ball turned out very high, you might even say, perfect to complete the attack.
However, oddly enough, many athletes make a lot of mistakes when playing such balls. Let’s try to understand why.
We often train classic top-spin against the block, but rarely the chopped top-spin. Generally, the least attention is given to the rest of the forehand top-spin variations in the training process. What is the result?
As a result, the hand is accustomed to some extent to always direct the ball with more flat trajectory. That is, to direct the move up more than forward. And it is correct for the two abovementioned variations.
But at a top-spin on the uprated ball, it is necessary to direct move a lot more ahead. Not forgetting to add a spin to it.
Many tennis players who perform top-spin on the uprated ball stumble over these 2 things. Either one plays ball too high and it flies beyond the table, or tries to play it too hard (without spin) and the ball flies into the net.
One of the key reasons due to which there are a lot of mistakes made with such balls, many mistakes, is the psychological aspect.
When such ball appears in front of the athlete, it usually happens unexpectedly and unplanned. Following idea immediately strikes in such situation: “Now.. I have to score..”. But no, this attitude is not conducive to win a point.
Let’s take a look at actions in this situation by the example of the world strongest athletes.
Firstly, such balls can’t be “unplanned” for them. If they make a short serve with side topspin or flat serve, they initially assume that one of the options to continue this rally would be a high ball. Yes it will happen rarely, but deep in their consciousness they support this moment.
Secondly, if this ball appeared unexpectedly for them, then they would not try to win points immediately. They would prefer to perform more stable top-spin. Right, maybe the point won’t be won due to this action, but there would be no mistake, and the initiative would be possessed, which is a pretty good situation.
Another point, which is not refined by many tennis players is marching on towards such ball. Here’s the psychology again. Crazy idea about a fast winning of points emerges and the athlete tries to win the point immediately, without taking a comfortable position to perform a complete top-spin. Moreover, such situations arise at competitions constantly. And the interesting thing is that we are in no hurry to do a classic top-spin, not marching on to him, because we understand that a simple top-spin does not warrant us winning points. Therefore, we are not in a hurry. But as soon as we see a high ball here – we forget about what we need to march on because nothing would work out. Pure psychology.
Now let’s talk about technique in such balls.
As you have already understood from the preceding paragraph, march on is crucially important for successful implementation of high ball top-spin. Everything here is not as easy as it might seem at first glance.
The fact of the matter is that the high ball top-spin on can be divided into two versions: high ball top-spin from the right corner and the same top-spin from the left corner.
Do you remember that we faced the same gradation when we were learning forehand top-spin on a half-long ball. And for good reason.
The uprated ball is usually not too long. And that’s why the same division as in case of the outflying ball is relevant here. That is why we are studying this variation after forehand top-spin on the half-long ball (Artem Utochkin in his coaching practice calls such element as top-spin on the uprated half-long ball).
Let’s start with top-spin on the uprated ball on the move because uprated ball drops to a left side of the table in 60—70% of cases.
The critical moment for such top-spin performance, especially if you want to make it to win points, is a point of the ball flight, where you would play it.
The point must be higher after ball bounce off the table. If you start doing too early, the probability of error is maximum. Just try to play such ball on a training, not waiting for the highest point of rebound, and you’ll see it on your own.
If you start to do it in a moment when the ball begins to drop, then the error probability also increases significantly. With each lost centimeter a chance to perform a powerful top-spin drops because the ball is not high enough to fulfill top-spin to win points.
Remember: If you missed the moment of the highest point, then forget about top-spin to win. Make a simple top-spin, as if played with chopped or outflying ball. Yes, perhaps you would not win a point immediately, but you would take the initiative into your own hands, is this bad?
As you may recall the explanation concerning playing half-long balls with a marching on, we don’t need to change the feet position here, since nothing prevents left foot to stand on the side line.
When executing top-spin, it is recommended to make a slight movement: left foot semi-step forward. This allows you to have more control over the ball and greatly increases the power of your top-spin.
