Understanding 'Suction Short' and Strategies Against Short Pips Players
What is ‘Suction Short’ and How to Counter Short Pips Players? 
This is a brand-new, technique-focused column presented in a Q&A format. The experts providing the answers are two former national team players (both experienced coaches) who prefer to remain anonymous. They value peace and rest over fame. The team at Heima Pingpang believes sharing these technical insights is highly valuable and serves as a great supplement to the ‘Heima Talks Table Tennis’ series. Thus, the ‘Reaching the Peak’ column was born.
What are the key points of ‘suction short’ when the opponent plays a high ball?
‘Suction short’ is typically used when the opponent plays a high ball from the back of the table, sending a relatively flat shot. The incoming ball should have weak spin and land near the center or close to the net on your side of the table. This is when you prepare to play a short shot.
The technical essentials are:
- Leverage the force: Use the force from the ball’s upward trajectory. Since the ball’s arc is high and it bounces with significant force, you should leverage this at about 30 cm above the net. At this point, the ball has reached a certain height and its upward momentum is not as strong.
- Adjust timing: If the ball bounces in the middle of your table, leverage the force when it bounces about 15 cm high. Trying to ‘suction short’ as soon as the ball bounces is difficult for most players because the ball’s bounce is still strong, increasing the risk of error.
- Adjust based on your blade and rubber’s elasticity.
- Adjust the angle of your racket.
- Keep your body weight forward. Your upper arm and elbow should be vertical, while your forearm, wrist, and fingers should be relaxed.
- Body positioning: ‘Suction short’ is about leaning in to absorb the force, not just reaching out with your hand. Use your body weight to leverage the force and make subtle adjustments with your fingers.
If the incoming high ball has strong topspin, the height at which you leverage the force remains almost the same, but you should tilt your body toward your playing hand to reduce force and spin and shorten the return distance. 
How should you serve against short pips players?
Players with average skill using short pips or long pips find it difficult to handle long backspin serves. If you serve a long backspin, less skilled players will push, while more skilled players will lift the ball. Both returns have relatively weak spin, allowing you to counterattack.
If you serve with more topspin and sidespin, short pips players can easily smash the ball, making it more threatening. If you serve short, short pips players are less sensitive to backspin balls near the net. They can push or jab the ball with their short pips, resulting in a fast return that can be challenging to handle. Therefore, I generally recommend serving fast, long backspin balls, forcing the opponent to retreat and loop or lift the ball, setting you up for a counterattack. When you serve a low, spinning, and fast ball, the opponent’s return is often an opportunity. You should move forward to attack, rather than waiting for the ball to drop. Waiting for the ball to drop forces you to play a soft shot, allowing the opponent to smash the ball.
After serving a few fast, long backspin balls, the opponent will anticipate this and start moving back. At this point, mix in some short serves to the forehand and backhand. They will struggle to attack and will have to push, giving you an opening. 
Personal Tip for Handling High Balls with Short Pips
As a penholder player with short pips on the backhand, I find high balls difficult to handle. I might be too eager, waiting for the ball to reach a comfortable position before smashing it hard. Short pips require leveraging the force of the incoming ball’s upward trajectory. If it’s a high ball on the backhand side, it’s actually harder to smash. Instead, hit the ball hard and fast at an angle while it’s above the net during its ascent. There’s no need to rely on power to overpower the opponent. This approach is less difficult but still packs a punch because the ball comes back fast, giving the opponent less time to react. Plus, the speed and slight heaviness of the short pips ball can catch the opponent off guard, often forcing them to play a high ball. 