I can hit crosscourt and down the line backhand. But, I can't regularly hit a down the line forehand. How to improve this?
I am saying this from the perspective of a Right Handed Shakehand player. Leftie & Penholder, you go figure it yourself.
For cross-court, you stand facing rather square or less than 45 degrees towards the table. Your swing is natural towards the direction of cross-court.
For down the line you stance is 45 degrees or more in regards to the table.
Assuming the angle stays the same, if you are standing towards the FH side, then your ball trajectory will be down the line towards the FH side.
Similarly if you maintain your angle, your ball trajectory will be down the line towards the BH side if you are position at the BH side of the table.
My point is; fix your angle and move your legs to determine which side you wish to play down the line. In another word, you have to move your legs which I cannot reinforce enough and is the upmost importance to make a quality return. If you are out of position and you try to do funny things with you wrist or over rotate or over extend your arm to connect with the ball, you return will go haywire and go anywhere but the position you desire.
Hope this helps.
Who has time for foot work when bashing balls close to the table? I twist my body as vvk1 suggested and then untwist or spring back for the extra speed.
Hitting down the line is one of my favorite shots. It seems I can often catch my opponent moving the wrong direction.
Footwork close to the table is generally the same as at longer distance.
The difference is in the amplitude, energy and temp.
I have encountered these type of topspin before as you described. Yes, it looks like a no spin ball and boy it is darn deceptive. Got caught by these many times as these type of return, the recipient can very easily misjudge the distance and bounce.For me the most effective way is taking the ball on lower descending at mid distance and attack it with sharp, but strong top spin with long and relatively flat trajectory. The ball looks like it has no, or little spin, but sinks deep and fast, and the opponent, even if able to react, miss the ball with a blade moving far above.