By: Brian Pace
September 15, 2006
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Backhand looping off the bounce has become all too familiar in the last 10 years. Being able to do this shot gives you an obvious advantage in the rally. To backhand loop off the bounce you need a forehand snap that allows you to generate good spin at close range. You also need quick reactions so you can continue to produce heavy spin shots close to the table. If you have this shot then you have a multitude of creative ways to take control over the match. |
Here are some clips of Kong Linghui showing the many ways he uses his backhand loop.
Simple Invitation
The backhand loop off the bounce doesn’t really mean much if you can’t set it up. So using your serve to set up the backhand loop off the bounce is most ideal. Putting a little bit of side spin on your serve allows you to have leverage in two ways. The first way is if they decide to push your serve, you are aware the push won’t have a lot of underspin, making it easy to get into play. Secondly, if they attack your serve you can immediately get your shot into play. Click here to see Kong set up his off the bounce backhand loop.
Backhand Loop Blocking
What is even better for the backhand loop off the bounce is being able to use it as your primary block. Since it does have heavy spin, it will discourage anyone from getting too comfortable with going for a kill shot because of the spin that is on the ball. Also, with the off the bounce loop having a low trajectory your opponent will never feel confident as the point progresses. Click here to see Kong execute backhand loop blocking.
Hold the Table
The reason to have this off the bounce backhand loop is it will help you gain advantage over the table. Standing your ground is the only option with regards to this shot. If you can hold the table then two simple skills will be inherit. The first one being improved reaction time to a more powerful ball being played. The second one is improved feel to put heavy spin on an opponent’s power shot. Click here to see Kong hold his ground under pressure in backhand loop to backhand hit exchanges.
Turn It Up
Once you have established how to set up your backhand loop, to backhand block with heavy spin, and to hold the table under pressure, the next step would be to "Turn it up". All of these skills are a natural progression, so now you can turn up the speed and pace of your shot just by virtue of having the ability at this point. Click here to see Kong turn it up.
Make Your Move
Now that you have established that you can turn it up, it’s now time to make your move. By having all these skills you leave the player no choice but to simply co-exist inside the rally. At this point, you can start to get creative with how to blend in the rest of your shots. Click here to see how Kong controls the table, and then makes his move.
Butterfly Close to the Table Spin Rubbers
Butterfly has two rubbers that can aid you in these close to the table spin shots. Catapult is a soft spin rubber with great speed and spin for quick over the table shots. It does have a "Built In" glue effect, which allows you to have great feel for over the table shots. The second rubber is Cermet. It has the classic heavy spin topsheet, but it is combined with a very soft sponge which allows the ball to have a low trajectory.
In conclusion, it is important to have the skills to do these shots, and even more important to have the right equipment to see the shots come to life.
Learn Easy, Play Hard
Choose Butterfly
