Topspin and combinations
Ready when: Serve and rules (b4) done.
What you are learning
Topspin: brushing up the back of the ball from low to high with a loose wrist, so it spins forward and dips onto the table. Then choosing: push a short underspin ball, attack a long one.
Words on this card Bat, Push, Block, Topspin, Underspin, Rally
- Bat
- The racket; the wooden part is the blade, the sticky surface the rubber.
- Push
- A short, gentle stroke under the ball that sends it back low with backspin.
- Block
- Holding the bat still in the ball's path to send a fast ball back.
- Topspin
- Brushing up the back of the ball so it spins forward and dips; a loop is a big topspin stroke.
- Underspin
- Brushing under the ball so it spins backward and stays low.
- Rally
- Hitting the ball back and forth.
Set up
A hoop on the table; targets; a wall behind to stop flying balls.
Weather: dry ground
Show it first for the one teaching
- Start with the bat low, beside the knee.
- Brush up the back of the ball, low to high, with a loose wrist, aiming deep.
- The feeder sends a short ball (push it back) and a long ball (attack it with topspin).
Your part while they practise
Feed.
Step by step
- Topspin: brush up the back of the ball from low to high with a loose wrist, aiming deep.
- First against a push, then in rallies.
- The feeder plays a short or a long underspin ball.
- Push the short one and attack the long one.
How much: 10 balls, 5 sets 15 min a session 3 days a week
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Together then against
Cooperate for 10 shots down the middle, then play the point out down the line.
Who plays: 2 players; first to 11.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- Rally together down the middle for 10 shots
- After 10, either player may attack down the line
- Play the point out
- First to 11 points
- Fair play
- A grown-up only blocks, never attacks.
- Points
- 1 point for each point won; 1 bonus point for a topspin winner.
- Fouls
- The point goes to the other player
- Attacking before the 10 shots
- A miss during the 10 shots (start again after the point)
- The free hand on the table
- Winning
- The first to 11 points.
- 4 points for 1 star
- 8 points for 2 stars
- 11 points for 3 stars
Easier or harder
A slower feed.
A faster feed.
What you will see, and what to say
- the loop goes into the net
Brush up and forward
Low to high. - the player is flat-footed
Move your feet first
Feet, then bat.
Self-check
8 of 10 topspins land on the table against a slow block.
Stop and get a coach when
Shoulder or back pain.
Fitness for this
Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.
This card trains topspin, combinations.
awiseathlete.com/sports/table-tennis/table-tennis-i1