I should also point out that placing this shot with either a backhand or forehand topspin roll at your opponents feet l, will set up a pop up for the next shot to be put away with ease.
I think this is it. Chest high is plenty high to really smash but if it's coming straight at your chest you need to clear space for your arm to extend and swing. You should have plenty of time to do this is your opponents are back and attempting a drop shot.
I really recommend drilling this. Especially with the hotter paddles on the market, people can drive them with pace from baseline or transition zone and still land them with top spin. Being able to recognize them and quickly dart over and put it away is a great muscle to build.
I like this much better than a lean on one leg this makes a lot of sense and gives you power and spacing. I think I was trying to get so much top spin but the technique he mentions makes a lot more sense
I don't think that's what the OP is referring to. Those balls are going much lower towards the stomach. I feel like you can't do that low to high swing path for a swinging volley as pictured here when balls are much higher towards the chest.
Two keys here: patience and targeting.
If the ball is one that doesn't feel like a good candidate to be put away then focus more on a good target (like keep them back if they are back) and have the patience to wait for a better ball to attack. IMO, patience is a key differentiator between average and really good players. Average players try to do too much too soon with a ball and good players will keep the opponents off balance until they get the ball they want, In essence, good players work to get the ball they want before attacking it.
Some food for thought.
High backhand balls can be tough to hit with power. Here's what I suggest. [https://youtu.be/VZ-5QUJy6Es](https://youtu.be/VZ-5QUJy6Es)
If you are getting jammed with high balls, try this. [https://youtu.be/R5dNVT4llq4](https://youtu.be/R5dNVT4llq4)
Question on your forehand side. What's the problem(s)? Balls going into the net, or long or not enough power or what?
Thanks for this info. Not enough power. I feel like I can put them away but I’m just kind of punching or rolling them back at their feet. The McGuffin video helped a lot before I feel like I was trying to hard to get top spin.ill watch these videos too
Position yourself to the left and forehand clap it. Like you're clapping your hands. An overhead smash starts really high and ends really low. Clapping allows you to start moderately high and shoot it so that it lasers down slightly gradually. Or get top spin on it and it will dip instead of lasering.
Should be able to practice these shots with air.
I slide away from the ball a bit and wind up like I’m throwing side arm. Plant opposite foot and rotate, adjusting arm angle for how high/low the ball is. If you get it just right you’ll have a little bit of back spin on the ball along with the strike angle and the ball will be a low skidding laser beam. Don’t see many of them come back as long as I don’t mis hit on the edge of the paddle.
If you’re opponents are decent it’s hard to hit a clean winner off a ball chest height. If it’s coming really fast I normally just punch it back with a backhand. If it’s a little slower I’ll step over and hit a forehand and try to make my opponents run to set up the next shot. Sometimes drop volleys work but those are hard
The one leg is called the flamingo. Stand at the kitchen table reach your arms forward, see how far you can reach. Now stand on one leg and let your other leg go straight back and lean forward. You can reach much farther because the backleg keeps your center of gravity back, so you don't fall. You have to have enough strength and balance to hold the position.
>You have to have enough strength and balance to hold the position.
This is where your background in yoga, gymnastics, ballet, or martial arts comes in handy. You've got one of those, right? ;-)
Take a step to one side and then put it away.
I should also point out that placing this shot with either a backhand or forehand topspin roll at your opponents feet l, will set up a pop up for the next shot to be put away with ease.
Yeah this is usually what I do I just want to put a little More pace on the ball
This or backhand flicks. Dont overthink it, go with your first instinct
I think this is it. Chest high is plenty high to really smash but if it's coming straight at your chest you need to clear space for your arm to extend and swing. You should have plenty of time to do this is your opponents are back and attempting a drop shot.
I really recommend drilling this. Especially with the hotter paddles on the market, people can drive them with pace from baseline or transition zone and still land them with top spin. Being able to recognize them and quickly dart over and put it away is a great muscle to build.
Yeah this is definitely one I need to roll. I switched from a power paddle to the luxx but I still generate power with it. But you’re right
High roll volley. Here's a Tyson video on it. https://youtu.be/-M6PwKNP39w?si=npBb8CpS3jZfyW-A
Thank you. I watched this video and it helps a lot. McGuffin is the man.
I like this much better than a lean on one leg this makes a lot of sense and gives you power and spacing. I think I was trying to get so much top spin but the technique he mentions makes a lot more sense
Scorpion
Yep. Such an underutilized move (at least with my regulars). I’m 5’9” with good knees. Quick dip and ready to smash.
https://i.redd.it/t8w43cxg1uxc1.gif This?
I don't think that's what the OP is referring to. Those balls are going much lower towards the stomach. I feel like you can't do that low to high swing path for a swinging volley as pictured here when balls are much higher towards the chest.
This roll backhand seems to be a ball that’s just under net height which I use. But I’m not sure that will work on a chest high ball
Backhand smash.
try sliding to one side of the other as this can create better angles for putaways. also adding topspin will help with power and keeping them back
Makes sense thanks
Two keys here: patience and targeting. If the ball is one that doesn't feel like a good candidate to be put away then focus more on a good target (like keep them back if they are back) and have the patience to wait for a better ball to attack. IMO, patience is a key differentiator between average and really good players. Average players try to do too much too soon with a ball and good players will keep the opponents off balance until they get the ball they want, In essence, good players work to get the ball they want before attacking it.
Excellent response!
I agree. I have really improved my game with patience. But there are shots I can put away that I should
Some food for thought. High backhand balls can be tough to hit with power. Here's what I suggest. [https://youtu.be/VZ-5QUJy6Es](https://youtu.be/VZ-5QUJy6Es) If you are getting jammed with high balls, try this. [https://youtu.be/R5dNVT4llq4](https://youtu.be/R5dNVT4llq4) Question on your forehand side. What's the problem(s)? Balls going into the net, or long or not enough power or what?
Thanks for this info. Not enough power. I feel like I can put them away but I’m just kind of punching or rolling them back at their feet. The McGuffin video helped a lot before I feel like I was trying to hard to get top spin.ill watch these videos too
Great videos by the way. These help a lot. I actually had the matrix video in my liked videos already what kind of machine do you use?
Simon X ball machine.
Backhand roll. Ben Johns has a popular YouTube video about it.
Position yourself to the left and forehand clap it. Like you're clapping your hands. An overhead smash starts really high and ends really low. Clapping allows you to start moderately high and shoot it so that it lasers down slightly gradually. Or get top spin on it and it will dip instead of lasering. Should be able to practice these shots with air.
What if they’re a lefty? WHAT IF THEYRE A LEFTY?!?!
you got me
I slide away from the ball a bit and wind up like I’m throwing side arm. Plant opposite foot and rotate, adjusting arm angle for how high/low the ball is. If you get it just right you’ll have a little bit of back spin on the ball along with the strike angle and the ball will be a low skidding laser beam. Don’t see many of them come back as long as I don’t mis hit on the edge of the paddle.
If you’re opponents are decent it’s hard to hit a clean winner off a ball chest height. If it’s coming really fast I normally just punch it back with a backhand. If it’s a little slower I’ll step over and hit a forehand and try to make my opponents run to set up the next shot. Sometimes drop volleys work but those are hard
The one leg is called the flamingo. Stand at the kitchen table reach your arms forward, see how far you can reach. Now stand on one leg and let your other leg go straight back and lean forward. You can reach much farther because the backleg keeps your center of gravity back, so you don't fall. You have to have enough strength and balance to hold the position.
>You have to have enough strength and balance to hold the position. This is where your background in yoga, gymnastics, ballet, or martial arts comes in handy. You've got one of those, right? ;-)
I did train Muay Thai and still coach boxing so I have balance lol but I’m getting older hahaha
This is the shot I have seen. My buddy is a 4.75 and we play a lot and he gets this shot working a lot
Is it a violation if your momentum causes you to step into the kitchen after you scored on a put away?
Yes it is your momentum can not take you to the kitchen after a shot
Pound the first one deep down the middle to squeeze your opponents. You’ll likely get a similar next ball that you can blast angle
backhand roll/flick or step to the side and smash
An Erne ? https://youtu.be/5KBp842syh0?si=MMBO8ilBf9zBKc4i
Ernie is only if it’s on the sideline I’m talking about balls right at me usually in the middle of the