Counter-Looping Is Simpler Than You Think
About This Column
This is a brand-new, technique-focused column in Q&A format. The experts answering your questions are two former national team players — veteran coaches who prefer to stay anonymous. They just want a quiet life and a good night’s sleep, with no interest in fame.
How Do You Receive Short Balls So the Opponent Can’t Attack Easily?
At the moment of contact, vary your touch as much as possible. For maximum disguise, reduce your visible hand motion — especially compress the time gap right before contact. The closer the ball is to your paddle when you start moving, the less preparation time you give your opponent, and the more likely they are to make an error.
For example, on a short touch: don’t start moving until the ball is roughly 10 centimeters from your paddle. If you initiate too early, the opponent reads you. Within that tiny window, you can play the rising ball and choose a short nudge, a sidespin cut, a push long, or a flick — whatever you like. Of course, the prerequisite is that your feet are already in position, your weight is settled, you’ve read where the ball will land, and you’re waiting there for it. In that case, you can even watch the opponent’s position before deciding how to respond.
How Do You Practice Counter-Looping an Incoming Topspin?
The technique is actually quite simple: step into the incoming ball, lead with your right foot to align with the ball, and use your body rotation to bring the paddle back. The backswing height should roughly match the height of the incoming ball. If you have enough time, swing with the full arm; if you’re rushed, push your body weight forward and just close with the forearm. In other words, the main force here comes from pushing your body weight into the ball — closing the forearm simply adds reverse friction to create arc and spin.
Why does everyone find the counter-loop difficult? Mostly because the feet aren’t in position and the body weight can’t lean forward in time. Slow reactions, anxiety, and fear of tracking the ball compound the problem.
Whether attacking or looping, keep one feeling in mind: imagine you’re wrapping your arms around someone in front of you, cradling the ball into your chest as you loop.
If the incoming ball is so fast that you’re jammed, stop thinking about arm mechanics. Just push your body weight through the ball.
The core of defending against a loop is also this: drive your weight forward to meet it. On the forehand side, it’s a “cradling” sensation; on the backhand, it’s a “pressing down” sensation.