Читать книгу Modern table tennis: strokes, trainings, strategies - Artyom Utochkin - Страница 15

We turn now to a rather complex and unusual variation, unusual among the people playing at an Amateur level. The fact of the matter is that there is a number of variations, which are studied only after reaching a certain level in table tennis – it does not mean that these variations are much more difficult to accomplish. No. That just means that without mastering these variations it’s hard to progress further at a more serious level. And at the same time, it is hardly known about such variations at a lower level of mastering this technique.

If you master variation No. 6, you get a significant advantage among your fellow athletes. And they most likely will not even understand what is going on and how you manage to do this.

Imagine that you are receiving a simple bottom spin serve. The ball strikes your side for the first time and then flies out the table, but not too far, just 10 cm. And if you didn’t know in advance that this serve would fly 10 cm off the back edge of the table, you would have thought that this serve is short, isn’t it?

That’s exactly the kind of ball called “flying a little out” (sometimes referred to as simply flying out or “thin”). By the way, in English, this ball has a more creative name half-long ball that literally can be translated as a semi-long ball. This is the only English term for such ball; but in Russian, there is no clear term for this ball. Most coaches and athletes call it differently.

What is the difference between the forehand top-spin on such a ball from usual chopped top-spin?

The fact of the matter is that such ball uncomfortable to approach on legs. If you’d try to apply top-spin to this ball with

exactly the same movement as for chop, then it won’t work. Your legs will not be able to take such a position where the ball, that is out for 10 cm, will be exactly in the same position relative to the body, as in case of chopped top-spin.

You may have guessed, why isn’t it possible to approach such ball with the same convenience as in case of chop. The secret is that the table would hinder you to put the left foot properly. Or you can stay in the position in which you are performing the chopped top-spin, but in this case, the ball will be strongly ahead of your body that won’t allow you to process it and add a spin to it.

How is it then possible to perform forehand top-spin this ball?

The main nuance of top-spin performance on such a ball is the position of your legs. If at the ordinary chopped top-spin we put our left foot a little bit ahead of the right one, in this case, it is completely the opposite. We do a half-step forward with your right foot and only then perform top-spin.

When you do this, note the following techniques: If we include the motion of legs and pelvis during the chopped top-spin, then when performing top-spin on the outflying ball all the basic work is done by the forearm and hand. We think you understand that making a step forward with right foot, you lose the possibility of a full-fledged movement, but it is not necessary in case of this element.

The fact of the matter is that the ball, which flew out on 10 cm over the back edge, does not have such a strong spin, as in case of long chop. Plus the distance to which we should send this ball is reduced almost to a meter, which makes the task easier for us.

In the end, we just need to give this ball a strong rotation, without large power, i.e. not making a move forward.

Do you remember when we discussed the previous variation, we talked about such concepts as “the ball game” and “the game ball”? When performing a top-spin on the outflying ball these concepts are also relevant.

When performing top-spin on the outflying ball, we have to play exactly “to the ball”, without exerting any pressure on it, because we need to send the ball to the table at a higher trajectory. After all, the ball flew just 10 cm out, and if we play it hard, the ball would lack a trajectory reserve to fly over the net. That is why we need a good spin that is provided by the “game ball”. That is, the performance of this element also involves rubber and minimum use of the blade.

The similarity of top-spin on the outflying ball with the previous variation only in this component. The movement itself is directed upwards here. The tilt of the racket is the same as with the chopped top-spin.

As already mentioned, the main work is done by the forearm and the hand at this top-spin. Therefore arm is unbent at the elbow, and then performs an upward movement. The hand also helps the forearm as much as possible to handle the ball.

Let’s go back to the feet standing. We expose the right foot forward sitting down as low as possible. At this point, the right leg is heavily loaded and bent at an angle of 90 degrees.

We also lower the body. We can say that we are “folding” to perform this top-spin.

Another important point is the end of the movement.

If in case of classic top-spin from the block and chopped top-spin we finish the movement in the forehead area, here the move is stopped earlier. You will not be able to complete the movement. This was not supported by the initial position and the overall motion path.

Now a few words about how to use this top-spin in the game. It is used to launch the attack and seize the initiative in a situation when there was a minimum opportunity for this.

Do you remember at the beginning of the description of the variations we told that it’s being studied at a higher professional level (or it is learned by young athletes who have all reasons to pursue this level). And for good reason, since it is only at this level it becomes critical to start an attack with the ball barely flew behind the rear edge of the table. At a high level, if an athlete misses (doesn’t see) such a ball, there’s a 90% possibility he’ll play it long enough so that the opponent would start his own attack.

That is, if you have missed your chance at the beginning of the attack, your opponent will seize this chance. And at a high level, the initiative possession means a lot, and it is highly undesired to ignore the outflying balls.

At the amateur level, this is nothing to worry about, because there is often no such desperate struggle for the beginning of the attack. If you master the forehand top-spin to the outflying ball, you get a huge advantage.

Top-spin on half-long balls can be used to receive the serve of an opponent, when it is a little bit longer and simply with any flying out balls that are in the game.

Let’s look at another point worth emphasizing. Many athletes, performing such top-spin, try to win points due to them and it is the fundamentally wrong approach.

As we found out, top-spin on the half-long ball is performed with the maximum number of spin that is, it has no power. And it is not necessary. It performs a preparatory function for us. Performing this top-spin in the form of strong rotation, we put the opponent in a difficult position.

Let’s consider options of receiving such ball. Under the option, that the opponent will try to aggressively counter-attack, considering the fact that the ball is not too fast and has a higher trajectory and we performed top-spin, taking into account the recommendations, giving it maximum rotation, the chance of opponent’s successful counter-attack is reduced to 20—30%. If our top-spin has a little rotation, then the probability of opponent’s successful counterattacks is 60—70%. Erring once, or better, twice, in carrying out counter-attacks an opponent will just start driving this ball, and we will have an excellent opportunity to continue the attack and win points.

That’s what the forehand top-spin on a half-long ball is used for. The purpose of its use – to seize the initiative, put your opponent in an uncomfortable situation and prepare for the opportunity to continue the attack and win points.

Another aspect that we cannot ignore.

The attentive reader noted that when the forehand topspin (loop) is performed on the flying ball from the right-hand corner, the left leg, of course, hinders. And what about the left corner? We can safely bet your foot over the corner of the table, and nothing would interfere us.

And the reader will be right. Much of what we now discuss (in addition to tactical points), refers specifically to the forehand top-spin on the half-long ball from the right side of the table.

When playing from the left side there is really nothing hinders us and we can take a full position, placing a left foot forward, but the tilt and the passage of the racket through the ball remain the same. It is also important to play “the ball”, adding it a good spin. And similarly, the main share of the work is performed by the forearm and hand, and the movement ends slightly earlier.

These technical issues remain the same because we are talking about a ball that flew only 10 cm out and we must not try to play it immediately. We need to prepare ourselves, playing the ball safely and with good rotation.

Incidentally, it is much easier for children to play such balls than for adults, because they are not hindered by a table and due to a small stature, they can safely put the left leg under the table and perform a full top-spin to the outflying ball.

Still, we recommend coaches to teach kids to play with this ball technically correct because it is always difficult to relearn. It is much easier to instantly learn the correct execution.