08.03.202027.05.2017

I have prepared for you a list of 5 quick tips, by applying which you can significantly improve the technique of your top spin on the right or simply diagnose the presence of shortcomings.

You will learn:

How to correctly and economically swing
What racket tilt to keep with a top spin on the right on a simple ball
How much should be transferred to the left leg (for right-handers) body weight at the end of the movement
How to work the forearm with the top back
In which case more than half of the efforts "leave" in the air

Today's review will be a mixed format: video + text.

P.S. Tomorrow at midnight, the cost of recording a master class will rise by 40% "Top spin from the right corner: 2 times more hits".

Also, 2 bonus video lessons will NOT be available: “Top spin on the right block, like Ma Long” and “Top spin on the right from undercut, like Fan Zhendong”.

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For most European tennis players, the forearm on the backswing is overly bent state. And this is observed even in a number of very strong athletes.

If you keep your arm too bent on the backswing, then the top spin will not receive at least 30% of the speed that it could have.

However, I am not saying that a top spin cannot be performed with a very bent arm. It is quite possible, as many tennis players in Europe prove, but in this case, the legs, torso and hand must work to the limit in order to compensate for the lack of inclusion of the forearm.

With a serial top back on the right, it does not make sense to extend the forearm to the limit - you simply will not have time to bend it in the process of movement. The main thing is that the bend angle is greater than 90 degrees, so that there is room for movement (fold).

Pay attention to the level of "extension" of the arm on the backswing and the path that the forearm takes to the end.

Forearm movement with top back on the right

The forearm begins to be included in the movement simultaneously with the legs, pelvis and torso.

Many try to start flexing the forearm right at the moment of contact. It is not right. Contact with the ball is made at the moment when the forearm has already completed 30-40% of the bend. That is, the folding process begins before contact with the ball.

Fixed top spin ending to the right of Ma Long

The forearm reaches its final bending point at the end. At the same time, the fold itself turns out to be sharper and biting if you fix the end in a strict position at the end, and do not smear it with a smooth movement.

You can see a fixed and clear ending in 60-70% of the top spins on the right Olympic champion Ma Long. But this recommendation is suitable for medium strength topspins made from a comfortable position. In situations of amplification or top spin from an uncomfortable ball, other recommendations take place.

The following advice partially follows from the previous one.

A common amateur mistake is to first swing, then the racket is carefully brought to the ball and here there is an attempt to accelerate and spin the ball.

With this execution, most of the effort occurs, as it were, after contact with the ball. That is, in fact, goes into the void.

As a rule, such execution is done intuitively. Out of fear of missing the ball and the desire to control the process of contact with the ball, being closer to it.

To avoid the effort that goes into the air, you need to understand that the main part of the top spin is the part that is done BEFORE CONTACT with the ball. It is up to contact with the ball that the arm and the entire body accelerate. And how much these parts gained acceleration BEFORE contact with the ball depends on what the CONTACT ITSELF will be.

The racket must hit the ball when it has ALREADY picked up speed. At the moment when she had already accelerated to the maximum.

remember Tip #4
match it with this recommendation
mentally make movements from the swing with the inclusion of the forearm and the acceleration of the racket to contact with the ball.

Better yet, get up from the table and imitate the whole movement completely.

Just make sure that there are no family members nearby, otherwise they will think that you are crazy and call an ambulance 🙂

P.S. If you have landed on this article, it means that you are interested, so to speak, in the table tennis base. By this I can assume that you may also be interested controversial points the rules of table tennis, which we (together with other amateurs) analyze in.

Table tennis technique.

In topspin, the ball spins forward, or, as they say, has topspin. The main difference between coasting and top spin is the strength of the spin. So the ball, sent by a powerful top spin, can have a rotation speed of up to 10,000 revolutions per minute. However, it is impossible to describe the entire range of top spin shots with the term "top spin", so we often use combinations such as: fast top spin, side top spin, thin top spin, slow/hanging top spin, counter- top spin.

Top spin history
The top spin stood out as a kick in its own right in the 1960s. Interestingly, a strike with the same name and similar effect long before that, back in the 1920s, began to be used in tennis.
When in table tennis new materials began to be used, that is, sponge rubber appeared, at the same time a top spin arose. All other rubber types (outward studded, long shimmed, anti-spin) are not suitable for this purpose. Spiked inward rubbers first appeared in the 1950s, but it took nearly a decade before the topspin hit was born. The Japanese were the first to use top spin, who at that time could not cope with the European defenders and were looking for new ways to play undercut. At first, Japanese tennis players used the top spin as an intermediate strike on the undercut and, it must be said, they were quite successful in this, which confused the athletes of the old continent. After the 1960 European Championships in Zagreb, a combined team of the best European tennis players, which included Bertsik, Harangozo, Shido and Wogrink, went on a month-long tour of Japan in order to master a new "Japanese trick" - top spin.
The first steps of the top spin in Europe were difficult. Athletes mastered the blow, as beginners master it, and lost many matches. At first, top spin was used only as counter attack on the cut on the left. But topspin soon spread widely across Europe, with somewhat strange consequences. The blow was so unusual that correct execution just one top spin almost certainly led to a point win. Top spin was used only for cutting and exclusively as a right hand, but gradually time made its own adjustments.
The first player to use the top spin on the left was the tennis player of the German national team, Erik Arndt, who reached the final of the 1962 European Championship. Then his blow seemed very specific to everyone, and it was still a long time before the top spin took the place in table tennis technique that it occupies now.
Modern athletes, who build their game on attacking blows with rotation, try to carry out a top spin not only on cutting, but in any convenient case, including against an opponent’s attack. One of the first sportsmen who used such tactics of the game was the famous Dragutin Shurbek.
Naturally, after the appearance of the top spin, the methods of counteracting it have improved. There were innovations in the technique of the game, allowing you to take attacking hits with top rotation; new materials have been developed to help combat spins (for example, anti-spin pads). But this did not stop the top back from becoming one of the main, if not the most important element of the technique that athletes, especially Europeans, use both to start an attack and during an attack. Interestingly, there has not been a top spin craze in China. There, many tennis players still play with outward pimple rubbers and do not use high-spin shots at all. Therefore, the top spin cannot be called the basic element of table tennis in general, but at the same time it is the basis of one of the directions of the game.
The development of the top spin has led to the fact that a whole galaxy of tennis players have appeared who practically do not play defense, since it is difficult to master defensive techniques and be a good attacking player at the same time. However, the technique of defensive style athletes has also changed: more and more often they “surprise” their attacking colleagues with unexpected rotations (which became possible thanks to the use of modern and very “intricate” overlays), and also try to switch to a counterattack at the first opportunity, knocking down the rhythm of the opponent’s attack and often resulting in a point scoring.
At the first stage, the use of a top spin slowed down the speed of table tennis. The first top spins were slow, fairly high spin shots, where the actual spin dominated rather than the speed of the ball. To the chagrin of the spectators and experts, it turned out that, having learned the top spin, the players completely forgot about attacking shots without rotation. But after a while, the “slowness” of the top spin was overcome, and the game became faster, and the strikes became more effective. The modern top spin combines strong spin and high speed ball flight. This was facilitated not only by the development of technology, but also by the improvement of materials: the linings became both "fast" and "torque".
Many tennis players now use topspin shots as the backbone of their game, and often use them for the entire rally. Most of these players use both the top spin on the right and the top spin on the left, since it is almost impossible to catch all the balls only with the top spin on the right.

Definition of top spin
Top spin is an attacking shot in which most of the energy goes into the top spin. The racket strikes at a tangent above the middle with respect to the axis of the ball's flight. When we talked about a flat attack hit, we noted that even with such a hit, the ball has, albeit slightly, top spin. But most of the energy goes into the speed of the ball. However, it is difficult to draw a clear line between an attacking blow with rotation and without rotation.
In accordance with the performance options, top spin options are distinguished: the farther the athlete plays from the table, the wider the swing; the closer to the table, the smaller the swing. A long and wide swing takes time and is not suitable in a situation where you need to quickly attack directly at the table. On the other hand, the shorter the swing, the weaker the rotation, but the athlete has the opportunity to attack quickly.
The most effective in an attacking game with top rotation is considered to be a hit from the right, because in this case the player has the opportunity to use the power of the whole body, while when hitting from the left, the role of the body is minimal and the blow is performed mainly due to the forearm and hand.
In modern table tennis, there are several types of top spin shots that are difficult to clearly distinguish. However, you can distinguish high top spin (sometimes called "slow"), fast top spin, top spin right and left, counter top spin (or top spin against top spin), top spin from the table.

Top spin right
Starting position
The player (hereinafter referred to as a right-handed athlete) stands diagonally to the end line of the table, the body is turned to the right at an angle of about 45 degrees. The right leg is set back, the left is closer to the table (for a left-handed player, the position is mirrored).

backswing
During the swing, the athlete's right shoulder and body move back and down. The body turns to the right following the shoulders and leg and goes down, leaning to the right towards the thigh, while the right leg is bent at the knee. The free arm is bent and moves to the right, following the body. In this phase of the swing, the weight of the body is on the right leg, as the center of gravity shifts to the right. In the last phase of the swing, the player's body deviates behind the right leg, the left shoulder is in front, the right shoulder is retracted and lowered. The playing arm is straightened or slightly bent (angle not less than 120 degrees), the hand with the racket is at the level of the knee, the palm side of the racket is directed down.

Hit
Having approached the extreme phase of the swing, the player begins the shock movement with a slight straightening of the right leg. At the same time, the body and shoulders turn to the left, while the body begins to straighten. The playing arm bends at the elbow during movement, due to which the racket receives additional acceleration in the direction of impact. The racket moves in a diagonal forward and upward direction. Moreover, the upward movement is limited and depends on the type of top spin. During the execution of the top spin, the whole body acts like a straightening spring. In this case, strength and speed must be combined with the correct contact of the ball and racket. The blow begins with straightening the legs, then the body straightens, the shoulder girdle, shoulder, forearm turn, and at the very last moment the hand enters. From a biomechanical point of view, it is important that the parts of the body enter the process in this sequence and that all movements are coordinated. It is important to remember that not including the legs in the execution of the strike, the top spin will turn out to be weak, the legs must work at all stages, starting with the backswing.
To carry out a powerful top spin, you need to make a good and timely swing, especially if the top spin is planned as a finishing blow. The acceleration of the racket immediately before contact with the ball must be maximum.

point of impact
At the moment of contact with the ball, the racket is in the closed position. Theoretically, the strike should be made in highest point ball rebound. This is the most advantageous position, at least at the stage of learning the top spin technique. However, in game practice, the blow often falls on other points of the ball's flight trajectory, which directly affects its characteristics. With a fast top spin, the touch occurs on the take-off of the ball, it is possible to receive the ball almost directly at the table surface. When playing topspin against a topspin, as well as when performing a powerful topspin with a large backswing or undercutting game, the contact occurs after the ball passes the top point.
The final phase of the blow
The blow is completed by turning the body to the left, the hand reaches the level of the forehead, the weight of the body is transferred to the left leg. A full transfer of the center of gravity to the left leg is possible in a training situation, but in the game, especially after a jump to the right, the classic transfer does not work. The basic movement - forward and up - is present in any execution of the top spin. In the final phase of the blow, the body should not fully straighten or lean back, left leg also should not go back. The racket does not stop at head level, but smoothly returns to its original position.
Basic technique the top back is learned at the second stage of the athlete's preparation, when the player has already mastered the attacking blow without rotation, the block and the push. But we do not recommend unnecessarily delaying the start of top back training, because young players in free time will still try to use this blow, and it is better if they get correct technique from the coach, than they will imitate their older comrades on their own. Therefore, children often have to be taught the top back at a very early stage. Although it is known that in China, top spin is mastered only after mastering attacking strikes without rotation, block and push. Moreover, not all Chinese athletes are trained in the top back. The Chinese approach is opposed by the method of the famous Swedish coach K. Johansson and some German coaches who believe that it is necessary to study table tennis technique from the top spin.
When an experienced beginner begins to master the top spin, you should pay attention to the fact that each hit should be performed with effort, the movement of the racket should be as fast as possible. If the top spin is performed technically correctly, but without due effort, the ball cannot gain the necessary speed of rotation. Therefore, it is important to immediately explain to the athlete that when performing a strike, all parts of the body work: legs, body, shoulders, forearm and hand. Then you need to draw the player's attention to the fact that when swinging, the racket must be in a closed position. During the stroke, the tennis player should not send the racket forward, as in a flat attack stroke, because in this case the ball will not receive spin.
At the first stage of training, the main problem lies precisely in the fact that the player is afraid to hit the ball with a closed racket, because it seems to him that in this case he will not be able to hit the ball at all. Then, at some point, the beginner overcomes himself, hits with a closed racket and sends the ball off the table or into the net. This is a sign that the athlete has begun the correct execution of the top spin, and the tennis player must be convinced to continue training in this direction. Players with good coordination and a "soft" hand master the top spin fairly quickly.

Mistakes
- In the first phase of the stroke, the racket is in the open position
When swinging, beginners often do not close the racket because they are afraid of making a mistake. They hit the ball not from above, but in the center relative to the ball's flight path, which is why the ball does not get the desired spin. The coach must draw the athlete's attention to the fact that the racket must be in the closed position during the first phase of the stroke.
- During the strike, the player opens the racket
Very often, during the training process, the athlete corrects the first mistake by closing the racket on the backswing, but at the same time, during the stroke, he reopens the racket. The player wants to hit in such a way that the ball does not go over the table and hit the net, and it seems to him that the easiest way to do this is with an open racket. As a result, the point of impact falls into the center of the ball and the latter does not receive the desired rotation. It is important to point out this mistake to the athlete and ask him to ensure that the racket is in the closed position at all times during the stroke.
- Striking is carried out at a slow pace
The player kicks at a slow pace for fear of losing the ball. Due to the low impact force, the ball does not get enough spin. It is important to draw the player's attention to the fact that immediately before hitting, it is necessary to make an "explosive" movement that can give the ball the energy necessary for rotation.
- Insufficient swing
In the first phase of the top spin, the player makes an insufficient swing. The racket travels too little from the end of the swing to touch the ball, so the hit is weak and/or has little spin. Often this error occurs due to the late start of the backswing. The player takes too long to make a decision and as a result does not have time to move the racket to the desired distance. The coach should draw the attention of the athlete to the timeliness of the start of the swing. It is possible during training to ask the player to start the swing immediately after the end of the previous blow. In this case, the athlete must be sure that the ball will come to the same point as the previous one. After the player has mastered the correct technique, it is possible to diversify the options for the arrival of the ball, but the coach must still focus the attention of the tennis player on the backswing.
- The blow is made only at the expense of the hand
All shock movement is performed only by the arm, without including the body and legs. In this case, both the speed of flight and / or rotation of the ball, and control over the blow are lost. The coach should draw the attention of the player that the whole body works like a spring, starting from the legs, turning the body, shoulder girdle, and ending with a hand and a brush.
- In the first phase of the strike, the player does not bend his knees
During the swing, the player (right-handed) does not bend the right leg at the knee. Because of this, the body does not act like a straightening spring in the direction from bottom to top and forward. As a result, the rotation is weak and control over the blow is lost.
- Straight arm play
The player performs a movement with a straight arm, without bending it at the elbow and does not include the wrist to give the ball additional momentum. The athlete produces a movement with a large amplitude, which requires a lot of space and time, but the quality of the blow is reduced. In this case, you should conduct an imitation training without the ball, paying attention to the bending of the arm.
- The blow is carried out without the participation of the brush
During the strike, the player's hand is clamped. When swinging, the hand does not bend, and thus, at the moment preceding contact with the ball, the racket does not receive additional acceleration. This mistake is most common among athletes who are unable to relax during the game. This error can be corrected by using a simulation wheel attached to the edge of the table. On the wheel, the athlete first practices only the movement of the hand, and then connects the entire arm.
- In the final phase of the blow top part the player's body leans back
The general direction of movement with a top spin is forward and up. But for some athletes, in the final phase, the body begins to fall back. The reason is that the playing hand does not stop in front of the head, but continues to move, and the athlete, in order to stay on his feet, has to shift the center of gravity, for which he deflects the body and puts his left leg back. When correcting a mistake, it is necessary to ensure that during the blow the hand does not go further than the head.
- The kick is made on the falling ball
The player starts the top spin late and hits the falling ball. This reduces the distance from the extreme point of the swing to the point of contact with the ball and the swing is weak. Therefore, at the first stage of learning the top back, it is important to pay attention to the fact that the ball should be hit at the highest point after it bounces off the table. In the future, the athlete can vary the point of impact on the ball, but first he must learn to correct the backswing depending on the place of the intended contact between the ball and the racket.

During the training of the top back, the athlete does not necessarily make all of the listed mistakes. But any of the mistakes leads to a loss in the quality of the top spin: the speed of the ball decreases, the frequency of rotation drops, control over the impact and direction of the ball.

Professor Radivoj Khudets
(translated by Oleg Belozerov)

Table tennis training. Topspin on the right for 3 months. 7 training exercises

Hello! With you Zhdanov Ivan, table tennis coach.

In this article I want to tell you how to learn how to do top spin on the right in table tennis in 3 months. The top spin on the right is one of the most important shots because it creates an attacking style of play! In order to successfully perform and play in competitions, a top spin on the right is simply necessary. I want to talk about exercises and approaches that will allow you to create your powerful top spin on the right.

Where is the top spin on the right used in table tennis?

If you look at the classic scheme of drawing the ball in the game, then it consists of two stages.

Deterring the enemy due to trimming (bottom rotation).
Undercut attack through top spin (top spin).

Everything is pretty simple. The purpose of the top spin is to attack, that is, to give the ball more spin and power! Therefore, if you form an attacking style of play, top spin is one of the main elements. If you play defense, then top spin may not be your main element. For defenders, cutting or counterattacking through the base is key.

Learning the technique of performing the top spin on the right in table tennis

To perform a top spin on the right, you need to correctly position your feet. The location of the legs is already 60% success for a technical strike. The legs should be located at 30 degrees to the line of the table - this will create an opportunity to turn the body and transfer body weight to the right leg. The hull slopes into right side when taking the ball. The racket is located almost vertically or at a slight angle to the vertical axis, this allows you to hook the ball and create a ballistic trajectory for it. If the angle is too sharp, the ball will hit the net.

With a direct impact, the body performs a rotational movement around its axis, creating acceleration for the movement of the arm and racket. The weight of the body moves from the right foot to the left, this adds kinematic energy and the speed of the ball. Left hand(for right-handers) is bent at the elbow and rotates together with the body.

Top spin imitation on the right

The strength of the top back is formed by the three links of the legs, body and arm. The main power is created with the help of the body and legs, the function of correcting the trajectory of the ball is given more to the hand. The fact is that the muscles of the back (body) and legs are much stronger than the muscles of the arm and shoulder, as a result, if you try to strike only at the expense of the arm, the top spin will not have strength and rotation and may even end up in the net, pruning game. The top spin of the ball is generated by the acceleration of the racquet, which is created with the help of the body!

The final phase of the racket movement consists in turning the body, while the racket is in front of you at eye level.

Common Mistakes in Teaching Top Back Right in Table Tennis

Let's analyze the main mistakes that occur when teaching the top back on the right in table tennis:

At the end of the top spin, the racket is placed behind the head. With this execution, the ball is given a weak impact force, so it can even hit the net or go on a high trajectory above the level of the net, which will be an easy target for the opponent.
When receiving the ball, the angle of the racket is more than 30 degrees. This leads to the fact that the ball can hit the net, because it will not be able to cling to the friction force on the overlay.
The point of taking the ball is at the level of the table. In such a catch, often the movement is performed by the hand, and not enough vertical acceleration is given to the ball to twist the bottom spin.
The legs are straightened or parallel to the table. With such a capture, we turn off the power of the legs from the blow and cannot give the ball top speed.
Execution of a strike immediately upon the rebound of the ball. The ball still has quite a lot of downspin, so it will be much harder to catch it.

The difference between top spin and roll in table tennis

The point of contact of the ball is not located at the level of the net as during the roll-on, but below the level of the table. This is very important nuance, which distinguishes a rollover from a topspin. After all, the top spin is done, as a rule, by cutting with a lower rotation. If the ball is taken at the level of the net, then this movement will turn out to be short and not enough to twist the ball. Besides, than more ball is in flight after bouncing off the table, the more it spins and it is easier to take it with a top spin. The picture below shows the optimal topspin catch after bouncing off the table.

Point of taking the ball at the table with top spin

The second difference between the top spin and the roll is the trajectory of the racket. The purpose of the roll is to impart speed and spin on the ball with no twist or little topspin. Therefore, the movement of the racket has a more pronounced rectilinear trajectory in the direction of impact. Top spin emphasizes spin, resulting in a more upright racquet trajectory. Plays in table tennis are built around playing and balancing between spin and power. The figure below shows a picture of how the impact changes when the racquet trajectory changes.

The trajectory of the racket during various strokes

The vertical movement of the racket will create the maximum spin on the ball, but at the same time the minimum movement speed. Conversely, parallel movement of the racket will give the ball maximum speed with zero spin.

Training exercises for working out the top back on the right in table tennis

Consider interesting exercises for training the top back on the right. The exercises are arranged in order of increasing difficulty, so if you have just started learning this element, then you should start from the very first.

Top back training through imitation. The simplest exercise is done just at the edge of the table. The purpose of this exercise is to remember the general features of the movement. Imitation great exercise to quickly memorize an element, because it allows you to spend a large number of repetitions, and, as you know, quantity turns into quality!
1. Imitation of a top spin + Movement at the table. A complication of a simple imitation can be the addition of a moving step at the table and the execution of a top spin at two points: the right corner and the center.
2. Imitation top spin + Moving close far. Also a more difficult exercise, which consists in moving to the table and away from the table in a walking step, maintaining the correct position of the legs and making a technically correct movement.
Top spin training on the wheel. There is an imitation of movement, but with the task of touching the wheel. Unlike a simple imitation at the table, the player has the task of not only making a move, but also touching the wheel. In addition, the wheel can be positioned in such a way as to train exactly the point of taking the ball below the level of the table.
- Imitation of the top spin + training on the wheel. The combination of two exercises, where you should move around the table and make an imitation of a blow, and make the second blow already on the wheel. The first blow is made on the wheel screwed in the right corner of the table, the second imitation blow is made already in the center of the table without the wheel. important task is hitting the wheel. Similarly, movement is performed close-far from the edge of the table with the wheel. The first hit is made on the wheel, then the second one is already further from the level of the table.
Top spin training on a large number of balls. Your partner or coach throws undercut balls (with bottom spin) into the right corner of the table at a constant pace and acceleration. The task is to focus your attention on the execution of the top spin on the undercut to the right corner of the table. In order to increase the efficiency, you should select the area where you should hit the top spin. For example, right corner and center as shown in the picture below. This will remove the randomness of the strike.

A variation of working on a large number of balls can be the following exercises. Performing a top spin from the right corner and the center in turn. Here the emphasis is on moving your feet to get into a comfortable position. As we remember for right hit you must first put your feet, and only then execute the blow. Working on a large number of balls expends a lot of energy because you have to hit at a high pace. Therefore, it is best to perform this exercise after a warm-up and basic exercises(30 minutes after the start of the lesson). In terms of time, each basket of balls (I use 50-100 balls) takes about 2-3 minutes. That's enough, because even in boxing training rounds are 3 minutes long! Rest between sets for about 1 minute. If the player is less prepared, then the rate of throwing balls should be reduced to an acceptable one. It should always be remembered that the player should be in a slight tension and tone, and not relaxed, so the coach chooses a rhythm that tones the athlete. Working on the number of balls at a pace allows you to increase the explosive nature of the game, when an athlete can perform many powerful powerful blows!

Top back training on the simulator. This is one of the most effective ways top spin training, because the number of shots taken is significantly greater than when played in sparring with a partner. Quantity turns into quality. To practice an element, I usually use 15 minutes at the end of the lesson. Modern robotic simulators have a varied number of exercises for training the top back on the right. One of the most popular firms making quality robots -
Hitting the ball on the bottle. The ball is hit on the neck plastic bottle, the task is to raise the ball due to a short top spin without dropping the jar. Exercise can add variety and just plain fun to training process. Attention should not be paid to the force of the blow, it can be performed only at the expense of the forearm, but to the feeling of the ball hooking and lifting it. This develops the feeling of the ball.
Hitting a falling ball off the table. The partner rolls the ball along one of the half of the table, starting from the net, the player's task is to raise the ball by hitting it when it just falls from the edge of the table. The exercise is for variety. The main task is not in the strength of the blow, but in catching the “subtle” feeling of the blow, the feeling of grip between the rubber and the ball.
Return board. This type of simulator appeared quite recently, its main advantage is the ability to train alone without a partner. Due to the angle of inclination, the ball may return along a different trajectory. The strength of the return is regulated by our own effort, the harder we hit the ball, the stronger it will come back. Though this simulator more suitable for strength training rolling on the right, using it to train top spin is also effective, because top spin is also a roll, but complicated with a larger trajectory of movement.

Topspin training on the right in game combinations

In addition to the isolated working out of the topspin, attention should be paid to training it in game moments. This will bring you closer to the real game situation.

3-ball topspin attack exercise

Modern table tennis is very dynamic and aggressive. Attention should be paid to seizing the initiative in the game, so most strategies are based on the game of 3 balls. The first ball is the serve, the second is the opponent's reception, and the third is his own attack. Let's take a look at a few interesting exercises for playing 3 balls.

Serve attack with side left bottom spin

Serve with side left bottom spin close to the net in the right square. Such a serve is also called a pendulum serve, because in addition to the lower rotation, the ball is also given a lateral one. Due to this, the opponent's ball deviates from a rectilinear trajectory and returns either to the center or to the right square. This makes it possible for a technical top spin to be carried out on the right. The picture below shows a diagram of this exercise.

3-ball topspin exercise

For ease of performing this exercise, you can decide in advance that the one who serves is the one who starts the attack. The attack is carried out to the right corner of the table and then a coasting draw is performed on the right.

Topspin attack from the right after serving with a right bottom side spin

This exercise performed in three balls: serving with a right lateral bottom rotation, return by a partner, topspin attack from the right from the center or left corner. Unlike the previous exercise, this serves with a lateral right bottom rotation. This causes the ball to return again to the left corner of the table, from where the player is already ready to make an attack.

Lateral rotation has interesting property, in that it causes the ball to deviate from the trajectory when taken and move in the direction of torsion. To give the ball such a rotation, you need to stand sideways to the table - this is a Chinese pendulum, or parallel to the table - this is a European pendulum. Serve with lateral torsion makes it possible to use rotation in game tactics and predict the ball return zone in advance. The figure below shows a three-ball exercise using a pendulum serve with right side down rotation.

3 ball exercise.

It is necessary to serve with quite a lot of spin and force to make it more difficult for the opponent to drop the ball close to the net.

Advanced exercises. Topspin on chosen/option ball

If in the first training tasks the goal was to perform a clear top spin on the third ball, then here the emphasis is on performing a convenient hit.

Topspin attack on the right from the center of the table on a convenient ball

Played with left side cut in center-to-center direction. One of the players (this can be predetermined) starts a top spin attack from the right to the right corner of the table and then plays on the free right side by coasting. This exercise involves all stages of the game: serving, playing defense through undercutting, starting an attack with a top spin and a power draw. The main task is to correctly turn around with your feet under the ball and perform a technical top spin. The figure below shows the general scheme for performing the drawing of this exercise.

Exercise. Topspin game on the chosen ball

With the top back, attention should not be paid to strength, but to technicality. The main thing is to play, as they say, on the table. Putting 100% effort into a strike, we thereby lose control over the technique and stability of the hit.

Topspin attack on the right from the left corner of the table on a convenient ball

A more difficult exercise, which consists in playing a left-to-left cut along the left diagonal. The player chooses a convenient ball and conducts a topspin attack from the right to the left corner of the table, and then a free draw is carried out from left to left with a coasting left. To carry out the top spin, you need to take a comfortable position through the jump in the left corner of the table. Unlike the previous exercise, you need to make a larger jump in the left corner for topspin. If the legs do not take a comfortable position, then the blow will be executed with errors and this can only give the opponent an opportunity to carry out his own attack.

Topspin exercise on the selected ball

Lesson Summary

We looked at a number of exercises that will help athletes speed up the process of learning table tennis and achieve excellent results. Train more often and play in competitions. Tournament practice allows you to securely consolidate everything that has been studied, because you can’t be lazy there and the players give their best 100%

blows

There are two ways to hit the ball with a racket. The first is by substituting a racket. In this case, it is impossible to predict how the ball will fly. This method is used by most beginners.

The second way is by using the rotation of the ball. To do this, you need to hit the ball on a tangent so that the rubber of your racket can grab the ball and make it spin. The type of rotation depends on the angle of the racket and the direction of its movement at the moment of contact with the ball. There are several types of strikes, the main ones are rolling, cutting and top spin.

In order to be successful in table tennis, you must master the different types of strokes and learn how to apply them depending on the spin of the ball.

Roll forward

To roll, you need to move the racket from the bottom up during contact with the ball. After rolling, the ball has a downward sinking effect, so you can roll with any force, since the rotation will cause the ball to drop and hit the table.

Roll forward with an open racket (right)

Rolling on the right is one of the main attacking blows. The racket then moves up and forward and hits the upper side half of the ball.

Here is the sequence of the strike. Feet shoulder-width apart, slightly bent at the knees. The left leg is slightly extended forward. Body weight is evenly distributed on both legs. The torso is slightly tilted to the left towards the table, the arm with the racket is pulled back to the right for a swing. It begins to move when the legs, racket and approaching ball form an equilateral triangle, as it were. The blow is applied at the highest point of the ball rebound, after which the hand is taken away to the left and up.

At the moment of contact of the racket with the ball, the forearm, as it were, overtakes the ball. The racket moves in an arc, gradually changing the angle of inclination, as a result, it turns out, as it were, that the ball is rolled over from above. The brush, when rolling, with a sharp movement, gives the ball rotation. When hit, the weight of the body moves to the left leg. After rolling, you should immediately return to the starting position.

Roll forward with a closed racket (left)

The movement of the ball is basically the same as rolling from the right. The necessary rotation is given to the ball as it moves up and down.

Here is the sequence of the strike. Legs shoulder-width apart, slightly bent, right slightly pushed forward, the center of gravity is evenly distributed on both legs. The arm at the level of the belt is bent at the elbow and laid back to the left, the forearm is parallel to the surface of the table.

When hit, the forearm sharply goes forward, the racket, as it were, rolls the ball from above, after which the hand freely goes up and to the right. The center of gravity shifts to the right leg, the hand returns to initial position.

pruning

To cut, you need to move the racket from top to bottom during contact with the ball. After clipping, the ball rises up, so the more you spin the ball, the further it will fly. Undercut is considered a defensive strike. A cut ball is harder to attack.

Undercut with an open racket (right)

Making a hit. In the initial position, the player stands almost facing the table, with his left leg slightly forward, his hand swings back and up and then goes forward and down. At the moment the ball hits the racket, which is turned open side up, the arm is slightly bent. After hitting, the racket accompanies the ball a little and then goes down to the left and forward.

The impact force during cutting depends significantly on the oncoming speed of the ball and the distance from the table on which it is received.

Undercutting with a closed racket (left)

The initial stance is typical for playing on the left: the right leg is slightly forward, the torso is slightly turned to the left. The movement of the arm, strongly bent at the elbow and retracted to the left-up-back for the swing, occurs first forward and down, and at this stage the arm at the elbow does not unbend. In the process of movement, the body turns slightly and the center of gravity is transferred to the right leg.

(Based on the book by Amelin A.N., Pashnin V.A. Table tennis - ed. 2nd, additional - Physical culture and sport, 1985).

Top spin

The purpose of this attacking move is to give the ball super strong topspin. Its speed is much greater than when coasting, which makes it very difficult for the opponent to respond.

First, the most unexpected is the rebound of the ball from the table. Secondly, even the ball already accepted by the racket remains naughty, and it is very, very difficult to direct it in the intended direction.

A top spin is also good because a strongly twisted ball flies high above the net and this gives courage to the attacker. It is believed that top spin can always be used, but practice shows that this is not the case.

Top spin right

The top spin is characterized by a large swing, usually with an outstretched arm. Straightening it at the beginning of the movement allows you to increase both the swing itself and the speed of the racket with the help of the forearm and hand. The movement of the hand during the top spin, in contrast to the coasting stroke, is almost completely directed upwards, and the ball is hit with a sliding character.

Initial stance: the left leg is slightly advanced forward, the right arm is straightened and placed behind the back to the right and back. The torso is turned to the right side to increase the swing. The legs are bent at the knees, the whole body is relaxed.

The top spin begins with an active turn in the direction of the shot. Right hand going forward, left, up. Body weight is transferred from the right leg to the left. By inertia, the torso and arm can even go far to the left. At the moment of contact with the ball, the racket should, as it were, slide over it. At the same time, the strength direct hit ball on the racket is minimal. However, the brush gives it a final boost.

There is another version of the top spin on the right, which is called the side. The difference in performing a straight top spin and a side spin is that the hand with the racket is brought to the ball from the side, the hand is lowered a little more.

Top spin left

Practiced much less frequently than on the right. The classic left top spin is not performed, this is due to the need to increase the backswing on impact, which usually leads to the appearance of side spin in addition to the top spin of the ball.

Book excerpts
Amelina A. N., Pashnina V. A.
Table tennis - ed. 2nd, add.
Physical culture and sport, 1985.
published with permission
Anatoly Amelin in 1999