Lesson Four
Backhand Push
Traditionally taught as the foundational stroke for beginners or novice players, the backhand push is now often discouraged in favour of employing a backhand topspin when the ball lands on the left side of the table. Initially considered a defensive shot, the backhand push was typically used when a player couldn't aggressively attack an incoming ball and instead waited for a high or easily manageable ball to counter.
However, executing this stroke improperly can lead to disadvantages, so it's advisable to use it sparingly, limiting its use to no more than once during any given point. When employing the backhand push, it's essential to impart plenty of backspin, delivering the ball at a low trajectory. This can be achieved with either a short or half-long placement over the table or by executing a fast push deep into the left corner of the opponent's side, ensuring a very low trajectory to prevent the opponent from launching a powerful attack.
Key considerations for executing the backhand push effectively include:
- Maintaining an open and appropriate bat angle.
- Ensuring the playing arm is positioned at approximately 90 degrees from the elbow.
- Limiting the forward movement of the playing forearm to a short extension without fully extending.
- Returning the ball over the table.
- Employing short or half-long returns.
- Striking the ball at its peak or just as it rises from the bounce, avoiding excessively high contact.
- Applying plenty of backspin for short or half-long returns, or employing fast speed for deep, corner-to-corner shots.
- Adopting a wide stance and ensuring the free arm remains more or less parallel to the playing arm.
- Adjusting distance with the right foot, either moving it forward or backward as necessary.
Practice of this stroke can be enhanced through short or half-long backspin serves. Advanced players often opt to manoeuvre around the left side and execute a forehand push, or alternatively, return the ball using a backhand topspin.
Until next time, Play well.
Javad