@3:40 "with this technique, you'll be able to smash consistently". It totally worked! I have been getting a lot more tinder matches, who knew chicks were into ping pong
Some very helpful pieces of advice, as always. There is also a psychological aspect to keep in mind. Some people are afraid of smashing because they think they will miss, especially defensive players who usually concentrate on pushing the ball. But even such players can be convinced they can do it if you practice with them in the right way. They can gain such confidence that you can turn them into effective attackers on the FH side.
1. When the ball gets so highbthat it is way over your shoulder, do you still wait till it is on shoulder height? Or do you try to hit the ball at it highest point? 2. What is about backhand smashes? Are they worth trying? (Can you make a video? 😁) Great video! Thanks!
1. Let the ball drop to shoulder height and then contact. 2. Generally, try and always smash with yout forehand. If the ball is high you have time to move and smash with your forehand (even if the ball is the backhand corner).
You could also hit the ball at a bigger height (not necesarilly the highest point, which could be unreachable). A little above head height or even a little more if you make a jump-smash, wich is not easy to perform. To begin, it's much more easy to let the ball come down to shoulder height, as in the video.
Some people take the ball as it rises, but I think it is easier to let the ball drop to shoulder height and then smash. If you keep missing, make sure you watch the ball closely and smash at 50% power. When your consistency improves, start adding more power.
One good thing about Tom is he does acknowledge that he makes the mistakes too. A modest person. I have learnt many of the mistakes that I make in TT with the help of his advice.
Thank you so much! I smashed up-down. It was very bad. After your video I had 90% balls in the table!! Another 10% was my mistakes for smashing balls higher than my shoulders.
Smashing is essential!!!! Even if your opponent is much better,if you really smash,he will not be able to respond.... You can't say that about " chopping" or " spinning"...
I am a intermediate player, I am an aggressive player as well, so I want a speed and spin racket, can u tell me what racket I should get? I can’t decide. My budget is around 50AUD
You'll probably not going to get an amazing bat for 50AUD, but this one could be a good option for you: aussietabletennis.com/product/cornilleau-perform-800-table-tennis-bat
These can be tricky. For the high backspin ball, you may need a slightly more upwards swing to counter the backspin. For the high topspin ball, you need to take a step back from the table and hit more over the top of the ball. I will try and make a video about this at some point.
I quite like the tennis-style smash too. And it's a perfectly good way to smash. It looks quite spectacular when playing table tennis. If you find this easier to do, then just stick with it.
I think you are right Sir. I like using the tennis slam on high balls, but I rarely see the pros doing this. Must be a good reason. I think your way is best, because you are able to get back into position, if the opponent blocks or even returns the ball. With the slam, it leaves you too far out of position. It is a homerun type of hit and you are taking too much a risk on it. I can get away with it on my level, but not on a competitive level, or even amateur level. I am just a recreational player. Thanks Sir. I love your videos. Great stuff.
Yeah, it's very frustrating messing up those high balls. Good news is that it's pretty easy to learn to smash well. Get someone to give you lots of high balls and have fun smashing the hell out of the ball.
Half the battle for success at smashing is just being LOOSE. Loose as a goose! Remember that. When you're loose you can hit a lot harder and with more control. And I'm persuaded that a good percentage of high ball misses are due to players tightening up without realizing it.
Hi Tom. I have really been struggling with the smash, mostly the short, high variety. I like your easy to remember tips, but practicing, it seems natural to me to hit the top of the ball and smash out, but slightly down. Won't that work as well? Thanks.
@@TIEWCINDY Hi Cindy. That's a great idea about the dropper; I always forget that's an option and no one would expect that. Also, a more severe downward smash is an excellent tip. I think I'm pulling my head, so I just need to relax and keep my head still. Thanks.
Thanks. Great tips. Where should I be looking to contact the ball in relation to my body (as far forward as poss?) . And in addition to the closed face should I be looking to hit with slight topspin to ensure it doesn't sail long? (I almost never hit into net)
The contact should be to the side of your body and it is optional if you want to add some topspin. This will bring a little more safety to the smash, but it will make it slower. Personally I like to smash with a flat contact.
Thanks for the tip of going through the ball and meeting the ball at the shoulder. Well I guess you kinda missed on choosing the right ball for a smash, I might be wrong since I'm a newbie. Please do reply to this. Again thanks for the tip gonna beat few of my colleagues tomorrow at work :)
Great tactic! Answers my question exactly! Haven’t got much insight on returning those high balls even as I asked around some experienced players. I will try turning shoulder and getting bat up high as I often start from table level and in front of me. Then will also try hitting through as I hit down at the net mostly. Will see how practice goes.
Thanks Tom for your comments. Have come back to TT after a 46 year lay off. Am enjoying your coaching videos that back in the day I would never have seen or been coached on. Atm I am playing in a local league for the first time and coming across players who constantly play a defensive stroke. I hope to reach a higher level through . your tutorials Thanks.
I have seen some players (Zhang Jike), and when they smash they have only one foot on the ground. And I think (I am not sure) , I have seen Fan Zhendong smashing sometimes with both feet on the air (extreme case).Thank you from Greece.
Yes that;s right. Many of the pro players will smash with a more advanced technique where they get higher off the ground and really smash down on the ball. Very spectacular!
If the ball is in the air, you have time to move. So watch the flight of the ball and move back or to the side if needed. Your aim is to get in as good a position as possible and then you can smash consistently with power.
If the ball very high, you can smash. If the ball is medium high, you can still flat hit or topspin. If the ball is low, the best option is to topspin.
