playing-with-spo-on-backhand
Dlff asked 5 years ago
Hi coach, correct me if I’m wrong. In view of my age and back issues which hamper my agility & mobility ( coverage & movement) I play more of a 2 winger fast & direct quite close to the table. Taking ball on the rise whenever is possible. I’m thinking of sticking to SPO on backhand & inverted on forehand. Reason being SPO on backhand gives a better punch & direct hit through the ball. My backhand punch & active blocking is better than my backhand topspin. Subconsciously I tend to drive & punch more on my backhand. I can also slow down my game if I want to by chopping near table & playing short & long pushes to different places on the table. Depending on players I encounter & I do vary my game’s tempo. Preferably I like to play a fast & attacking game. Do you think it would give me an edge by playing with SPO on backhand? What’s you take should I stick to SPO or revert to inverted on backhand. Cheers mate!
Tom Academy Coach answered 5 years ago
Hey Dlff, I feel this is a good one for me to answer as when I was younger I actually tried out short pimples on my backhand for a short time s I had a good backhand punch and block and wasn’t that confident to topspin well! So what I found was firstly its of course hard to adapt and re-wire the brain for shots to become automatic and natural when changing to short pimples and this can be very frustrating. Also even though short pimples are good for punching etc, it does limit you in some ways in terms of spin and variation.
I would personally recommend staying with inverted on both sides and still trying to play your close to the table attacking game, this might mean going for a slightly more controlled rubber on the backhand for the blocking and punching shots and definitely a rubber which isn’t too soft. I play a similar style by staying close and taking the ball early when possible. I don’t think this would limit you in the ability to active block and drive at all and offers you the ability to still improve and add a topspin to your game. Again from experience my backhand spin is now probably my best shot and that was after having the same thought process as you and struggling with it, but after going back to the inverted it developed over time and I also still use my blocking and punching game a lot.
I can totally understand your thinking as I went through the same process when I was younger but I do feel a harder and controlled inverted rubber would be your best bet rather than a big adjustment of going to short pimples and offers you more going forward too. I used stiga genesis M rubber on the backhand until recently and this has brilliant control and a hard sponge which is perfect for the blocking and punching, but also has a very grippy top sheet to help improve topspin shots, What are you using currently?
Hope that helps and let me know any questions or thoughts you have 🙂 Cheers!
DlffThanks for your quick reply. I agree to master proper stroke technique inverted is the way go. Been down the beaten road once too many times already. I have tried all sorts of inverted from MXP50, Dignics05, RakzaX, Fastrac G1, TSP Super Vintus & finally found the rubber that I like to play with – Stiga DNA Pro H. Works equally well on both fore & back hand. Last week got a DNA M to try on my backhand. 1st impression is that it plays as well as the H and just a little bouncier. I know rubber is a very subjective but IMHO DNA series is one of the best I have tried. I’m using Moristo SP AX for my SPO. Cheers mate!
Thanks for your quick reply. I agree to master proper stroke technique inverted is the way go. Been down the beaten road once too many times already. I have tried all sorts of inverted from MXP50, Dignics05, RakzaX, Fastrac G1, TSP Super Vintus & finally found the rubber that I like to play with – Stiga DNA Pro H. Works equally well on both fore & back hand. Last week got a DNA M to try on my backhand. 1st impression is that it plays as well as the H and just a little bouncier. I know rubber is a very subjective but IMHO DNA series is one of the best I have tried. I’m using Moristo SP AX for my SPO. Cheers mate!
No problem at all, Yes I think so in the long run for sure. That’s interesting, I Use DNA H pro on both sides and have found it brilliant as well! Nice speed to it but has a crisp and controlled feeling on blocks and drives and plenty of spin for open ups and serves!
Thanks. Pls let me know the overall play of the Dignics 09C if you have played with it as compared to Pro H. For instance do you have to change your stroke completely like playing tacky rubber & is it a massive difference to the Pro H.
TQ in advance & have a nice week end.
No Problem at all, I haven’t tried the Dignics 09C yet but from what I’ve heard I think it would be a slight adjustment but not massive. The top sheet will is slightly more tacky on the Dignics so will require a bit more effort to brush the ball well etc.
