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Table Tennis Basic Strokes - The Backhand Push

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End of Backswing

Photo of Backhand Push - End of Backswing

End of Backswing

(c) 2006 Greg Letts, licensed to About.com, Inc.
The ball is about to bounce on the table, and the backswing has finished.

Points to look for:

  • The bodyweight has moved a little onto the left leg, but is still fairly even.
  • The left arm has not moved significantly, and the right arm has bent at the elbow to the left, so that the forearm is roughly parallel to the endline of the table. A faster or spinnier push would have the arm moving further away from the table.
  • Notice that the shoulders have turned more than the hips and waist.
  • Both shoulders have lowered a little, as the player continues to get into position. The right hand is at a height that is a little above the expected maximum height of the bounce of the ball. Note that the right hand is not directly above the left hand, but is around six inches or so to the right of it horizontally.
  • The head has lowered to allow the player to keep watching the ball comfortably and closely.
  • The player is directly behind the ball, with the ball roughly in the centre of his body.
  • The angle of the bat is a little open, with the top edge of the bat pointing slightly upwards due to the slight cocking of the wrist.

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