Looking for feedback about my backhand topspin

says Backhanding no matter what
says Backhanding no matter what
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Mar 2022
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Hi guys, I'm one of those players who have never had a coach until now so I learned weird backhand technique. The problem is that he emphasyzes in teaching kids (I understand that) so I had to found more sources to get better. If I had to speak about my bh, I would say I have one of those weird bachhands where I can put inverse lateral spin (fading I think its called in english) and I want to correct that no matter what (I know fading is good but I want to control it). I started studying Fang Yinchi (quanshibao) tutorials on backhand topspin but I cannot imitate what he does. I know body, leg proportions are personal, but I dont know why mecanically I can't go closer to what he does. Might be my grip of the paddle, too bh oriented from the fh oriented from fang yinchi? Too upright stanced? It might be timing too, I'm considering all of this.
Here is the video of the technique (8:18):


And here is my attempt:

I feel like they are totally different, the elbow position, and that feeling makes me uncomfortable. I think his technique is quite nice. So if you can help, maybe you have better awareness of what is happening or even give me advices on the backhand would be super!

Thanks in advance!
PD: And of course, the most important thing, I want to say sorry for the foggy camera!
 
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In general everything looks good. I think two small changes could help:

1) You are 1-2 steps too close to the table.
2) Sometimes your left hand is too far to the right and interferes with the smoothness of the stroke, Watch a video of a pro and their left hand won't be near their belly button. Keep your left hand to the left of your belly button so your right hand can swing freely.

You are on the right track. You just need to practice more., Try to get feeling and the ability to make the ball do what you want rather than dramatically change what you are doing.
 
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If you largely want to correct the fade, practice playing a hook and then your stroke will find a middle ground after understanding both. That is the usual path I take with my students when they wipe the ball or hook the ball too much without generating much topspin. IMHO, your stroke looks great. Everything can be better but you are within the bounds of good technique.

To imitate Fang you have to use much less forearm, more body/hips and ligament laxity in the wrist.
 
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Biggest difference is in the hips. He tucks the left hip inwards during the backswing and you don't. This allows him to use an explosive hip rotation for power. You can see physically his upper body is turning such that the left hip is behind the right hip
 
says Backhanding no matter what
says Backhanding no matter what
Member
Mar 2022
57
31
145
Thanks a lot for all your answers. I knew the hip connection with the arm movement was important but not that it would affect so much visually. I agree with you. Ill try to implement more hip retraction in my bh.
If you largely want to correct the fade, practice playing a hook and then your stroke will find a middle ground after understanding both. That is the usual path I take with my students when they wipe the ball or hook the ball too much without generating much topspin. IMHO, your stroke looks great. Everything can be better but you are within the bounds of good technique.

To imitate Fang you have to use much less forearm, more body/hips and ligament laxity in the wrist.
I remember this from a Seth Petch channel bh video. I can assure you I followed this. My backhand was pure sidespin. I was destroying my elbow so hard. BTW, what do you mean by ligament laxity, more relaxed wrist? or short wrist movement
In general everything looks good. I think two small changes could help:

1) You are 1-2 steps too close to the table.
2) Sometimes your left hand is too far to the right and interferes with the smoothness of the stroke, Watch a video of a pro and their left hand won't be near their belly button. Keep your left hand to the left of your belly button so your right hand can swing freely.

You are on the right track. You just need to practice more., Try to get feeling and the ability to make the ball do what you want rather than dramatically change what you are doing.

Thanks a lot, and exactly that, I feel like the ball controls me and I dont feel confident at all. Thanks for the support.
 
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@isaacdl
I think it’s already quite good.

What I notice most is that the arc is a bit high and you miss totally some balls going to your middle/body.

I think the reason is the bat angle and the stance. You’re tall and your stance is wide but I think your upper body is a bit too straight and you should lean a bit forward more , knees more forward and on your toes , and as someone said that will make you play 1 foot away more from the table. It will make it easier and more natural to close the bat angle a bit more and to swing a bit more forward instead of upwards. Try to always go over the ball.

As for balls going to the middle I think that while your stance is stable , you’re making most adjustments by moving your body which is a good skill but you should also learn to make small adjustments with your feet and be more bouncy and dynamic between balls.
 
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