Forhand
Forehand Lob
Use this stroke when your opponent has driven you away from the table with a smash!
Starting position:
Start facing the ball in the crouched position (1)
The action:
- As the ball comes towards you move into side on stance (2)
- Notice the wide base to give stability, take the bat down behind the knee (3)
- As you play the stroke generate power from the legs in an upward direction (4 & 5)
- The bat moves up, importing topspin by brushing the back of the ball (6,7 & 8)
- Try to get plenty of height on the ball, and land it as deep as possible on your opponents side (9 & 10)
Forehand Push
This shot is used to return a short back spinning ball
Starting position:
Ready position facing the ball (1)
The action:
- Move in with the left foot (left hander) under the table (2)
- Move in with the arm at an angle (approx 45°) to the net - elbow bent - head near the bat (3)
- Contact underneath the ball before the top of the bounce to enable a short low return - or at the top to play a more aggressive deep push return (4)
- Very short and shallow through (5)
- Recover back to the ready position (6, 7 & 8)
- Make sure you do not leave your foot under the table!
Playing Tips
This shot may be used when the ball bounces a bit higher
Starting position:
Notice the wide stance with the feet to provide stability (1)
The action:
- The shoulders and hips rotate to the left (left hander) 3/4 turn. (2)
- The bat moves back and the arm is extended (not straight) at ball height (3 & 4)
- Generate an explosive movement form the back leg to move the body weight forward into the shot, while bringing the arm through quickly the bat moves forward and down with a closed bat angle (5 & 6)
- The stroke finishes with the weight on the front foot.
- Recover ready for the next shot!
Playing Tips
Similar to the forehand smash, however you will need to adopt a more upright stance
Starting position:
Adopt an upright and sideways stance (1 & 2)
The action:
- Extend the arm (not straight) and start with the weight on the back foot (3 & 4)
- Let the ball drop to shoulder height - start with the bat high (5)
- Power forward from the back foot and contact the ball with a closed bat angle, follow through foreword and down to finish with the weight on the front foot (6 & 7)
Forehand Topspin
Description is for right handed player - reverse for left hander - e.g. left foot intended of right.
Starting position:
Prepare by taking the right foot back into a side on position, and rotate 3/4 turn to the right with the hips and shoulders. (2 & 3)
The action:
- Take the bat back and down - try to open the elbow joint so that you can use the speed of the forearm for the stroke. - notice the closed bat angle.(4)
- Create an explosive movement from the legs to transfer body weight forwards onto front foot. The arm moves forward and up, brushing the ball at 2 O'clock (5)
- Accelerate through the ball - notice the bat angle is still closed (6)
- Recover ready for the return ball! (7 & 8)