These 3 Pro Tips Saved My Backhand | Table Tennis

TableTennisDaily
4 Aug 202210:05
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this informative video from Table Tennis Daily Academy, hosts Dan and Tom explore professional tips to enhance the backhand topspin technique, a crucial skill in modern table tennis. They share insights from a master class with pro player Liam Pitchford, focusing on three key tips: positioning the elbow correctly for a compact and safe stroke, adjusting the bat angle for better spin and control, and leveraging the legs and body for power and stability. The video also emphasizes the importance of maintaining bat height to preserve timing and readiness for the next shot. These tips aim to strengthen players' backhand topspin, making it a more reliable and effective weapon in their game.

Takeaways
  • 🏓 The backhand topspin is a crucial shot in modern table tennis and has been a focus for improvement.
  • 📈 Dan's backhand was a weakness before learning from Liam Pitchford's master class, which significantly improved his game.
  • 💪 Pro Tip 1: The elbow position is critical; it should be slightly in front and adjacent to the right knee, acting as a hinge during the stroke for better energy transfer and compact shots.
  • 🧍‍♂️ Good posture is essential: knees bent, right foot slightly behind the left, weight forward, and non-playing arm out front.
  • 🔄 The importance of a fixed elbow during the stroke to maintain contact and timing, preventing the breakdown of the shot.
  • 🤚 Pro Tip 2: The bat angle should start more open to allow for a larger surface area to brush over the ball, generating more spin with a relaxed wrist and forearm.
  • 🔄 The connection between the open bat angle and the relaxed forearm and wrist action for a stable stroke.
  • 🦵 Pro Tip 3: Utilize legs and body movement for power and control in the backhand topspin, avoiding over-reliance on the arm which can lead to tension and loss of power.
  • 🔄 The integration of leg and body movement with the correct elbow position and wrist action for a more fluid and powerful backhand.
  • 🚫 Avoid dropping the bat during the stroke to maintain timing and prepare for the next shot effectively.
  • 🔗 Additional resources are available from Liam Pitchford, including a masterclass covering various aspects of table tennis technique.
Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the video by Dan and Tom from table tennis daily academy?

    -The main focus of the video is to provide professional tips to improve the backhand topspin shot in table tennis.

  • Why is the backhand topspin considered a vital shot in modern table tennis?

    -The backhand topspin is considered vital because it has become an essential part of the game in contemporary table tennis, requiring strength and consistency.

  • What was Dan's initial issue with his backhand before the master class with Liam Pitchford?

    -Before the master class, Dan's backhand was a weakness in his game, often breaking down quickly and causing him to rely heavily on his forehand.

  • What is the first professional tip provided by Liam Pitchford to improve the backhand topspin?

    -The first professional tip is to start the backhand topspin from the elbow, keeping it slightly in front and fixed during the stroke to ensure energy is directed forward.

  • Why is having the elbow in the right position important for the backhand topspin?

    -Having the elbow in the right position is important because it allows the forearm and wrist to fully engage with the ball, leading to more compact, safe, and controlled shots.

  • What is the significance of the bat angle in executing a backhand topspin?

    -The bat angle is significant because starting with a slightly more open angle provides more safety and surface area to brush over the ball, generating spin and control.

  • How does Liam Pitchford suggest using the wrist and forearm in the backhand topspin?

    -Liam suggests using a relaxed wrist and forearm, with a whipping action to generate spin, rather than pushing the ball forward.

  • What is the third professional tip for improving the backhand topspin according to Liam Pitchford?

    -The third tip is the use of legs and body in the backhand topspin, emphasizing the importance of not over-forcing with the arm and instead using body rotation and leg movement for power.

  • Why is it beneficial to use the legs and body in the backhand topspin against backspin?

    -Using the legs and body against backspin helps generate a whipping effect, making it easier to get the spin on the ball and preventing the ball from dying into the net.

  • What is the advice given on maintaining the bat position during the backhand topspin stroke?

    -The advice is to keep the bat high on the backswing to maintain timing and make it easier to recover for the next shot, avoiding the loss of timing and the risk of hitting the top edge.

  • Where can viewers find more teachings from Liam Pitchford on table tennis?

    -Viewers can find more teachings from Liam Pitchford in the Liam Pitchford Masterclass on the academy, which covers various aspects of the game.

Outlines
00:00
🏓 Improving Backhand Topspin with Pro Tips

In this video, Dan and Tom from table tennis daily academy.com discuss professional tips to enhance the backhand topspin shot, which is essential in modern table tennis. They recount a master class with pro player Liam Pitchford, whose advice significantly improved Dan's previously weak backhand. The first pro tip focuses on elbow positioning, which should be slightly in front and fixed as a hinge during the stroke to ensure energy is directed forward and shots are compact and safe. The correct stance and body position are also emphasized. Liam's insights on using the elbow, wrist, and forearm to control the shot are highlighted, showing how to generate spin and maintain control without overextension.

05:02
🎾 Mastering Bat Angle and Body Movement for Backhand Topspin

The second paragraph delves into bat angle and body movement for executing a successful backhand topspin. Liam Pitchford suggests starting with a slightly open bat angle and using the wrist to brush over the ball, creating a safer and more spin-oriented stroke. A comparison between Liam's and Dan's backhand topspin techniques illustrates the difference between a tense and a relaxed approach. The importance of an open bat angle for generating spin and the correct use of legs and body to add power and control, especially against backspin, are underscored. Liam's method of incorporating body rotation and leg movement to enhance the whipping effect and maintain a compact stroke is explained. The paragraph concludes with advice on maintaining bat height during the stroke to preserve timing and prepare for subsequent shots.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Backhand Topspin
Backhand topspin is a fundamental shot in table tennis where the player hits the ball with a spinning motion using the back of the hand. It's a crucial technique for modern play and is the central focus of the video. The script discusses how to improve this shot with professional tips from Liam Pitchford, emphasizing its importance for a strong game.
💡Elbow Position
Elbow position is critical for executing a backhand topspin effectively. The script explains that having the elbow slightly in front and fixed during the stroke allows for better energy transfer and shot direction. It's a key component of the technique Liam Pitchford shared to improve the backhand topspin, as it helps in making the shot more compact and safer.
💡Forearm and Wrist
The forearm and wrist play a significant role in generating spin and speed in a backhand topspin. The video script mentions that keeping the elbow fixed allows the forearm and wrist to control the shot, leading to a more stable and powerful backhand. This is a direct application of the advice given by Liam Pitchford to enhance the backhand topspin technique.
💡Bat Angle
Bat angle refers to the orientation of the racket in relation to the ball during a stroke. The script reveals that starting with a slightly more open bat angle and then using the wrist to brush over the ball is a recommended technique by Liam Pitchford. This approach provides more surface area for spin generation and contributes to shot safety and quality.
💡Legs and Body
The use of legs and body in table tennis is essential for adding power and control to shots. The script discusses how relying solely on the arm can lead to tension and a lack of power, especially against backspin. Liam Pitchford's advice includes using the legs and body to generate a whipping effect, which is crucial for a strong backhand topspin.
💡Master Class
A master class is an advanced instructional session, often led by an expert in the field. In the context of the video, the master class with pro player Liam Pitchford provided valuable backhand tips that significantly improved the presenter's game. It represents a source of expert knowledge that viewers can learn from.
💡Consistency
Consistency in table tennis refers to the ability to repeatedly perform a shot with similar quality and accuracy. The script highlights how the correct elbow position contributes to a consistent backhand topspin, making the shot safer and more reliable, which is a key aspect of improving one's game.
💡Spin
Spin is the rotational motion imparted on the ball during a stroke, which affects its trajectory and bounce. The video script discusses how the techniques described, such as the correct bat angle and wrist action, generate more spin on the ball, enhancing the effectiveness of the backhand topspin.
💡Control
Control in table tennis is the ability to direct the ball with precision and to manage the pace and spin of the shots. The script emphasizes that having a stable elbow position and using the forearm and wrist allows for better control over the backhand topspin, which is vital for competitive play.
💡Compact Stroke
A compact stroke is one that is short, efficient, and does not involve excessive movement. The script mentions that keeping the elbow fixed and using the forearm and wrist leads to a more compact backhand topspin. This is important for maintaining control and preventing the breakdown of the shot.
💡Recovery
Recovery in table tennis is the act of returning to a ready position after hitting the ball, preparing for the opponent's next shot. The script advises keeping the bat high during the backhand topspin to facilitate a quick recovery, which is essential for maintaining a strong defense and transitioning to offense.
Highlights

Dan and Tom from table tennis daily academy focus on improving the backhand topspin, a vital shot in modern table tennis.

Liam Pitchford's master class provided tips that significantly improved Dan's previously weak backhand.

Elbow positioning is crucial; it should be slightly in front and fixed during the stroke for better energy transfer and compact shots.

Maintaining a low stance with knees bent and non-playing arm out improves readiness for backhand topspin.

Forearm and wrist utilization is key for control, stability, and compactness in backhand topspin.

Liam emphasizes the importance of not pushing the ball but using the elbow, wrist, and snapping through for spin and control.

Bat angle should start slightly more open, allowing for a safer, more relaxed brushing action generating spin.

Comparison between Liam and Dan's backhand topspin shows the impact of an open bat angle and wrist action.

Using legs and body instead of just the arm in backhand topspin leads to a more powerful and controlled shot.

Leg and body usage is particularly beneficial against backspin, facilitating a whipping effect.

Keeping the bat high during the backhand topspin stroke helps maintain timing and prepare for the next shot.

Dropping the bat during the stroke can lead to loss of timing and increase the risk of hitting the top edge.

Liam Pitchford's masterclass on the academy covers various aspects of table tennis, including advanced backhand techniques.

The three pro tips shared aim to strengthen the backhand topspin, making it a more reliable and potent weapon in matches.

Engaging viewers to share their own tips for improving backhand topspin in the comments section.

Encouraging viewers to like, subscribe, and stay tuned for more table tennis content on daily academy.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

5 Key Secrets To Improve Your Consistency | Table Tennis

One-Handed Backhand Tips For Mastering 5 Tough Tennis Situations

10 Tips To Become A Better Table Tennis Player Quickly

3 Easy Drills To Improve Timing in Table Tennis

Top 10 Fundamental Skills Table Tennis

These 5 Mistakes Make You An Average Table Tennis Player

Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating:

Related Tags
Table TennisBackhand TopspinPro TipsLiam PitchfordTechniqueMasterclassSports TrainingGame ImprovementSpin ControlStroke Mechanics