Site Products
Larry Hodges, table tennis coach

Why Are You Attacking Heavy Backspin Into the Net?

(by Larry Hodges)

You know the ball has heavy backspin. You know you have to either open your racket, hit upward, or both. And yet, players still often attack heavy backspin balls into the net far more often than off the end. In theory, since you are compensating for the heavy backspin, you should go off the end just as often as into the net. Ideally, of course, you’d return it on the table – but you’d do that a lot more if you weren’t going into the net so much. It means that you need to increase your average net clearance (relying on topspin to pull the ball down) – and end up with fewer in the net and more off the end – but overall, more on the table. With more net clearance, your balls will also go deeper on the table, which are more effective than topspins that land shorter, which are easier to counter-attack. (To get this higher net clearance on topspin shots, some find it easier to simply aim deeper on the table, which gets the same effect since you have to arc the ball more to do so.)

If you often attack heavy backspin balls into the net, perhaps video a match where you do this. See what percentage of your misses are into the net and what percentage off the end – as well as what percentage hit the table. Then work on decreasing the into-net percentage while increasing – yes, increasing – the off-the-end shots because of your higher net clearance and increased depth. By doing so, you’ll likely end up with far more balls on the table and a better feel for what you need to do to attack those backspin balls with the right clearance and arc so they consistently hit the table.

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.

Latest News

Kevin Doyle – Backhand Loop, Butterfly Training Tips

May 21, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Kevin Doyle is working on the Backhand Loop from underspin… Read More

Jessie Xu Named 2025 Table Tennis Canada Athlete of the Year

May 20, 2025
(by Bowmar Sports) Recognizing Leadership, Excellence, and Sportsmanship On and Off the Table Bowmar is proud to celebrate the… Read More

World Championships Update: Jarvis Powers Through to Round of 32

May 20, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) A few surprises in the early rounds of the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals… Read More

Apply Finger Pressure With Your Thumb!

May 19, 2025
Backhand block (regular block and no spin block) – robot plays very spinny shots deep SET TO RING… Read More

Bowmar Sports Tournament Highlights – Kef Noorani Tournament Highlights

May 19, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) Bowmar Sports Tournament Highlights, Kef Noorani https://youtu.be/68Or5s_S2yg Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment,… Read More

Learn from Students of the Game, Crafty Veterans, and Hedgehogs

May 19, 2025
(By Larry Hodges) You should always be learning in table tennis, or in any serious activity. I’m always… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Atlanta International Table Tennis Academy

May 18, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) With their location just North of Atlanta in Suwanee, Atlanta International Table Tennis Academy has… Read More

MLTT Team Feature: East Division Expansion Team the Atlanta Blazers

May 18, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) Major League Table Tennis (MLTT) continues to grow, and the Atlanta Blazers are one of… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.