Definition: In table tennis, a push is a backspin stroke (with anything from virtually no-spin to heavy backspin) that is performed from over the playing surface, or close to the end of the table (within 3 feet or so). The bat will hit the ball somewhere between the bottom and the back of the ball, imparting more backspin if the ball is skimmed rather than hit solidly. This stroke is commonly used against no-spin or backspin.
It is also sometimes called a chop, although this term is usually used for balls that are hit with backspin from 3 feet or more away from the end of the table.
Some players distinguish between pushes and chops by the amount of spin on the ball - they call balls hit with light backspin pushes and balls hit with heavy backspin chops.
Also Known As: chop
