How to play against Half Length and Medium Height balls

Hello,

When I receive balls like that, I have some trouble in playing the correct stroke. I usually respond with a sidespin stroke - it's very comfortable for me since I use the penhold grip - but it doesn't convince me much: the ball tends to remain too high.

I find that they are too low and too far forward to play a smash, but they are too low and not distant enough from the table to loop them. Also, the flick seems weird to me: if I get it right, it should be played when near enough to the net.

As an offensive looper, if it matters, what do you recommend I do?

Thanks in advance, spar

Hi Spar,

It sounds like you're dealing with balls that are in that tricky intermediate zone where they're not quite perfect for smashing, looping, or traditional flicks. Given the nature of these shots and your preferred penhold grip, there are a few strategies you might consider to optimise your play against medium height, half-length balls.

1. Loop with a Shorter Swing: Since the balls are not ideal for a full-power loop, try using a shorter, more controlled loop stroke. Focus on brushing the ball with a good topspin to ensure it dips quickly back onto the table. This can be effectively done by adjusting your bat angle to be a bit more closed and aiming to strike the ball slightly earlier than you would for a deeper ball.

2. Adjust Your Footwork: Often, dealing with such balls is as much about positioning as it is about technique. Make sure you adjust your position so you can pivot and use your hip rotation to generate power, even for a shorter stroke. Good footwork can help you feel less cramped and enable a more effective mini-loop or drive.

3. Experiment with Timing: Playing around with your timing can change the dynamics of how you handle these balls. By taking the ball a bit earlier on the rise, you can inject extra pace and surprise your opponent. Conversely, waiting a touch longer might give you the leverage for a more penetrating shot.

4. Placement Over Power: Since these shots aren’t ideal for power, consider focusing on placement. Even with a sidespin stroke as you described, aiming for wider angles or unexpected areas on your opponent’s side can be more effective than outright power.

5. Practice Transition Shots: These medium height, half-length balls often require transitioning between different types of shots quickly. Practicing these transitions can help you feel more comfortable deciding between and executing various shots like soft loops, drives, and controlled smashes. Each practice session, try to include drills that mimic this scenario. Have a training partner or a ball machine deliver these specific types of balls, and experiment with the suggestions above to find what feels most natural and effective. Remember, the key is to stay flexible and adapt during games based on what’s most effective against your current opponent. Hope this helps, and good luck in your games, Spar!