The Backhand Push Tutorial
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In this this table tennis tutorial we cover everything you need to know for the backhand push. The backhand push in table tennis is part of phase 1 from our FREE Beginner to Intermediate Table Tennis Lesson Plan. It is used to return underspin serves, chops, and pushes. Once you learn it, you will be able to answer pesky underspin balls that used to fall into the net. In time you will be able to strategically place your pushes, force weak returns and set up your next attack. In another post we help you understand the different types of spin in table tennis and how to receive them. Now let’s get into how to do the backhand push in table tennis
Stance
In another lesson we explained the basic stance in table tennis. At this early stage of learning, it is extremely important that you master it
Position to Table
Stand an arm's length away from the table and position yourself to the backhand side, but not completely at the side of the table
Technique
Backswing:
As the ball is about to bounce on your side of the table, bring your paddle back and in front of your stomach by folding your forearm in towards your body
Open up the backhand rubber to the ceiling so you can slide the paddle underneath the ball which presumably has underspin on it.
Forward Swing:
As the ball bounces on your side, take a small step forward with your right foot and bring your shoulders and head closer to see the ball
Initiate the movement into the ball by leaning your body in the direction you would like to push it
Push your forearm gently forward as the backhand side of the paddle brushes under the bottom of the ball
Contact Point:
Brush under the ball at the height of its bounce
Your wrist should be relaxed but firm at the moment of contact
Follow-through:
The end of the push can be described as abbreviated. After you have made contact with the ball, your arm should not lock out to a full extension. The elbow may finish at about 135 degrees
Stay loose and return to the ready athletic stance until you can identify your opponent's next shot
Practice Drills
Basic Drill:
Both you and your partner stand at your respective backhand side, diagonal to each other. Focus on pushing with good form at a slow to moderate pace aiming to make the ball land near the end line of the table. You should both be pushing back to each other while controlling the path of the ball. The point is to develop control and not make your opponent move to counter out of control pushes
Movement Drill:
Have someone serve underspin half-long to your backhand side very slightly changing where each ball lands. Step in-out after every push. If the ball is not coming perfectly to your backhand, you must use a quick side shuffle step before moving in.
Match Play:
Integrate your backhand push into practice matches. Focus on using it strategically against your opponent's shots and try to place it to different areas of the table
Common Mistakes
Using All Arm and No Body: Move your body closer to the ball and allow your arm to finish the stroke. As opposed to stabbing your arm at the ball which decreases control and accuracy
Using it on the Forehand Side: Don't allow yourself to drift over to the forehand side and push with the backhand. Instead cover the forehand side with a forehand push. This will make you faster to the ball, requiring less footwork and recovery to get back into position. Makes sense right?
Forgetting Footwork: Always be ready to move. Don't reach for the ball. Proper footwork is essential for effective pushing wherever the ball may land.
Racket Angle: Ensure your racket angle is correct at contact. For the backhand push the paddle angle is only very slightly angled forward to push momentum into the ball while still allowing an open enough angle to push underneath the ball and counter the backspin. The more backspin the ball has, the more the backhand rubber should open upwards
Incorrect Timing: Taking the ball before or after the top of the bounce creates a height deficit to the net not allowing you to push aggressively and clear the net at the same time
The Backhand push is an intuitive defensive stroke and people find that it comes naturally. After a couple weeks of practice. Developing a good backhand push will help you develop the framework and movement for the more advanced backhand drop shot commonly used for service receive in professional level table tennis.
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