The Forehand Push Tutorial
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It is essential to learn the forehand push in table tennis to return backspin serves, chops, and pushes to the forehand side. These are the balls that beginners return into the net as the backspin creates tremendous downward momentum off of their paddles. For this reason, the forehand push is a welcomed part of phase 1 from our FREE Beginner to Intermediate Table Tennis Lesson Plan. Once you learn this technique you will return backspin and eventually use tactical placement to set up your next attack
Stance
We dive into deep detail about the basic stance in table tennis in a dedicated tutorial
Position to Table
To learn the basic forehand push, stand an arm's length away from the table at the backhand side. Make sure not to be to completely to the side of the table. Why stand at the backhand side? This is your basic starting location for all points, and you should learn to move in-out and utilize small shuffle steps to get closer to the ball
Technique
Backswing:
As the ball is about to bounce on your side of the table, unfold your forearm and open your forehand rubber up to the ceiling. It should look like you are offering something from the palm of your hand
Bend your wrist back so the face of the paddle is facing the same direction as the path of the ball
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 first by leaning your body in the direction you would like to push the ball
Push your forearm gently forward as the forehand 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:
With a partner both of you stand at your respective backhand side diagonal to each other. Focus on pushing consistently to each other's forehand side 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 retrieve out of control pushes
Movement Drill:
Have someone serve underspin half-long to your forehand side slightly changing where each ball lands. You use small lateral shuffle steps, and in-out footwork to move into position to push the ball deep to different parts of the table
Match Play:
Integrate your forehand push into practice matches. Focus on using it strategically against your opponent's shots and try to place it to different areas on the other side of the table
Common Mistakes
Using All Arm and No Body: Move 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 backhand side: Rely on this shot for serves and pushes received on your forehand side. The backhand push will cover receives on the backhand side
Using Way too Much Force: Focus on technique over power. A well-executed shot often beats raw strength.
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. When returning true underspin, you must brush somewhere between the back and underneath the ball. In cases of extreme underspin your paddle angle may be completely horizontal to lift the underspin!
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 Forehand push is a finnicky defensive stroke and people find that it is more difficult than its backhand counterpart. Consistency comes with months of practice, but once mastered, you will have developed a tool that allows you to return all types of underspin serves, pushes, chops, and receives to your forehand side. Developing a good forehand push will help you develop the framework and movement for the more advance forehand drop shot commonly used for service receive in professional level table tennis
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