preparing-for-the-backhand-switch
Resznotes asked 5 months ago
Excellent new video on the backhand switch, Tom and Dan! I have two questions regarding what we should take away from it. First, when you are demoing at the beginning of the video your starting position is center of the table to slightly favoring a position on the forehand side. When you do the drill later in the video your starting place is farther on the backhand side of the table. Can you comment on this? Does startling position not only include a hover with the bat between strokes but also moving slightly to the backhand side in preparation for the next shot? Frankly, where to position myself between shots has always caused me some confusion. Secondly, I realize that you have a video of how to watch your opponent in anticipation of the switch, but if you were to choose the single most important clue to look for in your opponent’s positioning, what would that be?
Thanks,
Resznotes
Tom Academy Coach answered 5 months ago
Hey Resznotes, thank you we’re happy to hear you enjoyed the latest video! Ok so I think the moist important thing is still to have this pause that we mentioned in the video but I think you’re right positioning yourself slightly more towards the backhand side will help this because you can reach much more easily out to the forehand than you can out to the backhand side. I think I must have done that subconsciously haha!
When watching the opponent for clues I would say the most important thing is really paying attention to the contact point of their shot and body position, these 2 things will give you the biggest clues as to when the direction or type of the shot is going to change. I hope this helps and let me know if you have nay other questions on this.
thanks, Tom
