To be a BH looper, or to be a BH controller, that is the question.

[Nima Abadi]

To tell you a bit about my game, I have an overdeveloped FH (compared to the rest of my game) and a very controlled BH which is my weakest area in my game.

Recently going against 1400-1500FFTT players (around 1850–1950TTR / 2100-2250USATT), my BH is becoming a big bottleneck. My only option in beating these players is to give them the first attack on their forehand to force the game into FH-FH loops which I generally come out 70% on top.

Basically it works out as long as they keep looping in my forehand. Those who have too much ego in their FHs are not a problem cause they will just try to loop harder (and miss the table altogether), I can manage those but if they do catch up to my strategy, then they start going down the line to my BH which causes me a lot of trouble specially if they hook their loops (the ball curves to my elbow).

Keep in mind that it requires a certain level of power to expose my BH weakness but knowing this, what would you think is a better solution/improvement?

• Improving my BH loop to stay more competitive in BH-BH exchanges?
• or improving my BH control, blocking and placement game?
• or something else entirely?

 

[Tyce]

I would say developing your BH loop will develop confidence and in turn will also raise your ability for control and placement. It will give you more options. Putting focus on pure control and placement will only improve that part, and you will run into the same problem again when you reach the next step on the ladder.

 

[GhostBackhand]

I think you will also struggle against backhand-dominant players as well

 

[merlin el mago]

To tell you a bit about my game, I have an overdeveloped FH (compared to the rest of my game) and a very controlled BH which is my weakest area in my game.

Recently going against 1400-1500FFTT players (around 1850–1950TTR / 2100-2250USATT), my BH is becoming a big bottleneck. My only option in beating these players is to give them the first attack on their forehand to force the game into FH-FH loops which I generally come out 70% on top.

Basically it works out as long as they keep looping in my forehand. Those who have too much ego in their FHs are not a problem cause they will just try to loop harder (and miss the table altogether), I can manage those but if they do catch up to my strategy, then they start going down the line to my BH which causes me a lot of trouble specially if they hook their loops (the ball curves to my elbow).

Keep in mind that it requires a certain level of power to expose my BH weakness but knowing this, what would you think is a better solution/improvement?

• Improving my BH loop to stay more competitive in BH-BH exchanges?
• or improving my BH control, blocking and placement game?
• or something else entirely?

You and only you have the answer: What do you do better & with more consistency & give you more points?

 

[Nima Abadi]

I think you will also struggle against backhand-dominant players as well

I obviously do, but I perform better in BH-BH cross-courts as my BH is stable. And also it's easier for me to go down the line to their forehands so they hate playing me as much as I hate playing them .

 

[Nima Abadi]

I would say developing your BH loop will develop confidence and in turn will also raise your ability for control and placement. It will give you more options. Putting focus on pure control and placement will only improve that part, and you will run into the same problem again when you reach the next step on the ladder.

My initial thinking was to improve my block but I think your point about having the same issue on the next step on the ladder is really valid cause above 1500-1600 (+2300USATT) people really start to rip backhands as well.

 

[Nima Abadi]

You and only you have the answer: What do you do better & with more consistency & give you more points?

I understand your point but the problem is that I've reached a point where the weapons in my arsenal are not sufficient enough, so simply doing what I do better doesn't work anymore. I need to do something about what I don't do so well.

 

[Lazer]

Easy...
Be both....

Cheers
L-zr

 

[Nima Abadi]

Easy...
Be both....

Cheers
L-zr

I'll try but it's a bit harder to find someone who's willing to (consistently) hook loop down the line. Let's see if I can find the right partner.

BTW, thanks everyone for your input.

 

[NextLevel]

Use anti or pips on backhand. Simplify the game.

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

Easy...
Be both....

Cheers
L-zr

easier said than done..

 

[merlin el mago]

Use anti or pips on backhand. Simplify the game.

That's not simple to win, to loose for sure....of course depending the level of your opponents!!

 

[merlin el mago]

Guys you need to create strategies to enforce your strong weapons, I'm tired to listen: I can't take the blade well, I can't blend my knees, I can't do it, Isn't easy.....

Who on earth tell us is easy to manage the most complicated sport in world!!!!

 

[Lazer]

easier said than done..

This should be Your vision...
Always aim further than Your current reach, that's how You get better...

Cheers
L-zr

 

[NextLevel]

That's not simple to win, to loose for sure....of course depending the level of your opponents!!

There is always something good and something bad about every change. He said he was open to all options so I just tried to remind him of that option. Even developing control backhand is the same issue, in the end, your backhand is ultimately as dangerous as the amount of weapons you train into it.

 

[Dr Evil]

Easier to improve backhand control/blocking/placement. Your footwork and general approach to point play won't have to change or improve very much to see good results. You'll probably be better, eventually, if you develop a two wing looping style, but this is much harder. It's not the backhand loop itself, but the need for faster and more efficient footwork, and adjustments to the way points unfold, that take the most time and effort to develop.

 

[Sriver1]

I always wonder, what would Sabine do in this case?

 

[Matteones]

To tell you a bit about my game, I have an overdeveloped FH (compared to the rest of my game) and a very controlled BH which is my weakest area in my game.

Recently going against 1400-1500FFTT players (around 1850–1950TTR / 2100-2250USATT), my BH is becoming a big bottleneck. My only option in beating these players is to give them the first attack on their forehand to force the game into FH-FH loops which I generally come out 70% on top.

Basically it works out as long as they keep looping in my forehand. Those who have too much ego in their FHs are not a problem cause they will just try to loop harder (and miss the table altogether), I can manage those but if they do catch up to my strategy, then they start going down the line to my BH which causes me a lot of trouble specially if they hook their loops (the ball curves to my elbow).

Keep in mind that it requires a certain level of power to expose my BH weakness but knowing this, what would you think is a better solution/improvement?

• Improving my BH loop to stay more competitive in BH-BH exchanges?
• or improving my BH control, blocking and placement game?
• or something else entirely?

How old are you? How many years have you played already? Are you still improving (objectively, is your rating growing steadily or has it been stagnant and if yes for how long?) How much do you train? Do you have access to someone who can multi-ball you 2-3 times a week?

If you do decide to develop a more aggressive backhand and change your game strategies (open up more with backhand and chiquita especially), be prepared to have a dip in competition for at least a year, because you not only need to learn the shots themselves, you also have to learn how to fit them into your game plan (I take it you are already at an advanced - amateur level, around 2200 USATT).

Do not fall into the trap of thinking that two wing looping is the only way, it is merely the most optimal one, especially at highest professional levels that do not really count anyway. I personally know low level pros (I guess 2600 USATT level?) with glaring technical and tactical weaknesses who make up for it with other parts of the game. Even high level you will find more than a few.

 

[Nima Abadi]

Use anti or pips on backhand. Simplify the game.

Joining the dark side, eh?

I actually tried long pips a few weeks ago, it was a total mindfuck for me. That'd be my last resort, still got some good years left in me.