How to Handle a Bat-Flipping Long-Pips Player
This is a brand-new, technique-focused column in a question-and-answer format. The mystery figures answering are two former national team members, both now veteran coaches. So the “Reaching the Summit” column was born.
Against a bat-flipping long-pips player, is there an effective tactic?
Serve a weak underspin long ball to the opponent’s baseline, no sidespin; as long as the opponent does not pivot-rip on the receive, then what he receives with long pips is mostly no-spin. The next ball, we rip hard. Receiving is the same — directly chop long (weak underspin) to the opponent’s baseline, then when he bumps it over, we rip hard. (Heima’s aside: clearly, this national veteran’s advice suits players above 1800. If you cannot rip, I suggest a backhand power-push, or for shakehand, a backhand flick down the line to the opponent’s forehand — fast!) If your underspin-loop foundation passes, you can appropriately serve a side-underspin (more side, less under) short to the opponent’s forehand. The opponent push-touching back with inverted rubber will also go off the table, and you can seize this ball too. (Heima’s aside: if the opponent receives this with long pips, he easily catches the sidespin. If it does not work, keep serving pure-underspin long balls. And not too spinny.)
My play always relies on the forehand loop-drive, pivoting to use the forehand too. How do I develop toward two-wing balance?
One important reason may be your opponents are too weak, unable to defend your forehand rip. If they could defend, your loop-drive has little effect — he defends you a wide angle, you go pick up the ball, and over time you dare not pivot for the forehand. Find better-defending opponents, and naturally you will add the backhand system, knowing you must win by quick-exchange and two-wing loops. At the same time, you must “deliberately” use the backhand to get on the offensive and play patterns.
After leading I forget how to play, not knowing how to score — what do I do?
One, try serves you have not served much before; though not your forte, no harm trying — maybe a surprise effect. Two, do not demand too-high return quality; aim for angle and landing first. Three, if the opponent is fairly anxious, slow down your receive while slowing your serve speed. Four, change the striking rhythm, and the opponent will err on his own.