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Table Tennis Basic Strokes - Forehand Block Against Loop

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Contact With the Ball

Photo of Forehand Block Against Loop - Contact With the Ball

Contact With the Ball

(c) 2006 Greg Letts, licensed to About.com, Inc.
The player has made contact with the ball.

Points to look for:

  • The player has watched the point of contact with the ball closely.
  • The angle of the bat is at a roughly 65 degree angle, with the tip of the bat pointing towards the camera and slightly upwards. Other players would block the ball with the tip of the bat pointing at the camera. The player has used this angle since the ball came a little closer to his body than he was expecting, so his stroke is slightly more cramped than usual.
  • The hips, waist and shoulders have stayed in the same place since ending the backswing.
  • The knees and torso have also stayed in relatively the same position.
  • The forearm is moving forward very slowly, and the bat a little faster, as shown by the lesser amount of blurring than usual.
  • If the ball was compared to a clockface, the bat has made contact at a point roughly around the number 10, while the bat was moving a little forwards and upwards. Note that the angle of the bat remains at around 65 degrees.
  • The ball is hit with mainly solid contact, with just a little movement forwards and upwards. This movement will make the ball go mainly forwards and a little upwards, with a little topspin.
  • The free arm has not needed to move.

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