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The chop
is actually the bread-and-butter of the DEFENSIVE player. Chopping the ball
means giving it some amount of BACKSPIN while playing it. The severity of the
chop depends on the degree of backspin given to the ball. As mentioned earlier,
chopping is a defensive action and meant to slow down the game. Any table tennis
player would need to learn how to return the chopped ball because of the
inherent DANGER of the backspin. Understanding how to return the chopped ball
gives you the upper hand and provides the opportunity to DOMINATE the game.
The
standard way, especially for newbies, of returning the chop is chopping it
back. This leads to a rally consisting of chops and counter chops. Kind of
boring - isn't it? The player sloppy enough to return the ball without proper
backspin is likely to lose the point. This is because a low quality return chop
would most likely invite a severe flick shot or even KILL.
However,
the object of this discussion is not to return the chopped ball by chopping it
back, unless the chop is of extremely good quality or the player in question has
limited skills. Also, we are not going to discuss here how to return the deep
chop, which is a different customer altogether. One of the best ways to return
the chopped ball is by FLICKING it. The flick shot has been discussed in an
earlier post, so please take time to read it when you want. Most defensive
players are AFRAID of the flick. They know that if their chops are getting
flicked, it is only a matter of time before they lose the game. But remember
that the flick shot is only executed when the ball is coming at a low
trajectory. The tricky part of playing the flick shot is correctly judging the
backspin on the ball. It is better to avoid the flick if the ball is HEAVILY
loaded with backspin.
Another
way to return the chopped ball is playing the classic TOPSPIN. However, do this
only when the chop is of MEDIUM quality. Give the ball a nice and FIRM rolling
action when you play the topspin shot. After all, you want to NEUTRALIZE the
backspin on the ball. The failure to do so will likely send the ball flying
into the net and you will lose the point. Be very careful to adjust the
character of the chop before thinking about topspin.
One of
the MOST effective ways to take ADVANTAGE of a chopper is placing the ball
while playing the flick or topspin. The flick or topspin combined with ball
placement is enough to freak out a defensive player. Doing this a few times
will most probably win you the game itself. The reason is you will be changing
the very character of the game that your opponent finds COMFORTABLE.
Try
flicking the chopped ball to different parts of the table which lie relatively
EXPOSED. This will force your opponent to come racing to return the ball. His
return stroke might lack the same quality if he has to rush in to play the
ball. Even try to aim the flick or topspin right at your opponent's body! These
are all tactics with ball placement to UPSET your opponent's equilibrium. If
your opponent has moved somewhat away from the table, try the drop shot. If he
comes rushing in and does a lame-duck scoop, go for the kill. You will most
likely win the point.
If your
opponent is a particularly good chopper, and tries to pin you down to chop
rallies, you can try a slightly different tactic. Go for the SOFT flick, as
opposed to the REGULAR flick. This means opening the face of the bat and
tapping the ball LIGHTLY, in an experimental way. Most of the time, this will
UNSETTLE a defensive player. He might make mistakes by way of low quality
returns, which you can then take advantage of.
Facing
the chopped ball really opens up your potential skills as a table tennis
player. While it is perfectly acceptable to return quality chopped ball with a
counter chop, the higher levels of the game DEMAND that you negotiate the chop
with something BETTER. Getting rid of the FEAR when handling backspin is the
first and most important step to playing your natural OFFENSIVE game.
