tactics-against-long-pimples
Nomad asked 2 years ago
Hi Dan / Tom
I understand you will be preparing videos about how to play against pimples and I will look forward to seeing them. In particular I would be interested in seeing how you deal with an opponent who has normal rubber on the forehand and long pimples on the backhand. During a recent practise game, my opponent and have both fairly strong forehand topspin strokes. The problem I have is when I change from his forehand to his backhand when a ‘blocked’ return from the pimples ‘floats’ close over the net. Any attempt to continue the topspin rally usually land in the net.
This my be due the fact that the topspin is automatically reversed when played with long pimples (or even the fact that I am unsure of how to deal with the return.) The result is that even if I do return the ball, the speed is greatly reduced which gives my opponent the opportunity to regain the initiative with a flat drive with the pimples or even by running round the forehand to produce a topspin drive.
How could I keep the attack going? Would, for example, taking the ball slight later and/or opening the bat angle against a blocked pimple return result in a flatter drive. This could result in a higher return from the pimples and so open the door for a topspin or smash (keeping a more open bat angle and ‘jabbing’ the ball may also result in a higher return from an aggressive push?)
Any advice will be much appreciated.
Keep up the great work with your videos.
Alex
Tom Academy Coach answered 2 years ago
Hey Alex, I think what you mentioned there is one of the most common types of pimple player with long pimples on backhand and normal rubber on forehand. The best way to keep the attack going in the scenario is more spin on your forehand shot, try to wait slightly and pause as the ball from the pimples will come through slower and with now loads of spin, so you need to take your time and then brush the ball well. Alternatively if the shot from the pimples does lander shorter in the table you can play a nice positive push deep in the table which cam also cause a weak return.
The key thing really on these shots is timing and making sure not to rush, and really wait for the ball to reach the top of the bounce before trying to play the ball. Let us know how you get on with this! Tom
NomadThanks Tom.
Yes..I think my problem has been during a fast topspin exchange with the normal rubber of the opponent the change from a return from a block by the pimples drastically reduces the speed and also changes the spin. At this point in the rally I am still in automatic reaction mode to the speed of the sponge rubber. I will try to follow your advice and adjust my timing to accomodate the slower ball from the pimples. Also, I thought of varying the placement occasionally from the opponent’s forehand to backhand may help in disrupting his rhythm.
Our next match in 2 weeks will be against a ream with 2 members with long pimples and normal rubber.
I will keep you updated on my progress.
Best wishes
Alex
No worries Alex, yes the speed and timing changes a lot when a shot comes back with the pimples. Yes definitely placement changes into the forehand but also I would say even more importantly into the elbow/crossover point against these types of players can be really effective!
So yes focus on that timing change and being patient and I’m sure you’ll see a difference. Let us know how you get on! 🙂
Hi Tom
Slowing down the forehand stroke and waiting a fraction longer for the return from the pimples definitely helps.
Varying the placement of the ball and patience in waiting for the right ball to attack is the way forward. Also by switching unexpectedly on occasion from the opponent’s pimple to the normal rubber helped to unsettle my opponent and I managed to win the game 3-1. Thanks again for your advice.
Alex
