Backhand topspin vs backspin - Amateur vs Pro technique in slow motion

In this video I compare the backhand topspin vs backspin technique of an amateur player (myself) with the forehand topspin vs backspin technique of a professional player (England No.1 Liam Pitchford).
This is a tricky shot, but Liam makes it look ridiculously easy. Liam is able to play an incredibly fast and aggressive backhand topspin shot, but how is he able to do this?
To help us work it out, I use some side-by-side slow motion analysis. This helps see how Liam uses a different swing trajectory, more wrist and a dynamic stance to produce a faster backhand topspin shot.
There is also some footage of me trying to return Liam's very fast backhand topspin attacks.
In the video Liam is using the following equipment:
Blade: Victas Liam Pitchford blade: bribartt.co.uk/product/victas...
Rubbers: Victas V15 Extra: bribartt.co.uk/product/victas...
You might also be interested in Liam’s Masterclass coaching series he recorded with Table Tennis Daily Academy: tabletennisdailyacademy.com/p...
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[@nickthetrick27]

And the final difference, Liam gives a grimace that puts the fear of God in his opponent, whereas Tom looks like he's just bringing round a home baked cake for a lovely afternoon tea 😂

[@maximvavilov8072]

Так красиво написал 👍🎾🎾🎾

[@agosh05]

Such a great series! The side by side slowed down comparison is very helpful.

[@jplanglais]

Appart from the usual great quality of content, I want to say Great video editing in this one Tom! Seriously must've taken a while, good job :)

[@wilkinru]

This was your best video in a long time for me! The elbow out instantly helped me getting the ball over the net and/or deeper on the table. Changing nothing else - it's helping against the robot instantly. It's like I had forgotten to do this?! I'm still getting an arc more like an amateur but right away I am noticing more speed and consistency due to the fact I'm going forward more and that means less hitting the top of the paddle and such.

[@judithmorgan6070]

Great video. Liam’s use of the radar arm is interesting. He almost catches the ball.

[@viranirav]

Hey Tom, love your content, format, analysis, pretty much every thing. Always watch it multiple times, to ensure I don’t miss out on anything subtle. Now to your ask about spotting more, I would point out a couple of things. 1. Liam hits the ball on his paddle on the outside, not center. My guess it increases topspin with longer contact of ball & rubber. Typically I use that for forehand topspin, contact point is much lower/outside of the paddle. 2. Liam holds his breadth & then lets it out as finishing his stroke, kinda like the tennis players that grunt as finishing a shot. I think he is adding core strength using this technique. PS: Not visible, but Liam could be using a unique rubber on his paddle to help with return speed.

[@sjuesju]

The speed is unreal

[@joehughes3764]

Very good analysis, useful seeing them side by side

[@KyMAHOBOyCBET]

Great video, Tom! Looking forward for the next one.

[@sharpvidtube]

Liam's technique seems similar to a backhand flick. Getting low helps me, but I struggle to get that low all the time.

[@seekan88]

Liam's paddle position is more close where yours is more open by comparison, therefore getting heavier spin. love the slow motion side by side comparison, thank you!

[@mc7892]

Very instructive. Comparison videos are excellent for providing better context to learning.

[@SimonDewey70]

Great video as usual Tom

[@AlphaTennisinPittsburgh]

Okay, this tennis backhand tutorial is great and all, but I tried it and ended up hitting the ball into a different zip code! Time to call NASA, I'm serving for space exploration now! 🚀🎾 😄

[@randsp3c709]

Good analyzing, good stuff

[@mohammadfazelifarsani4192]

Another deference is in using of the hand which is without blade, Liam bring it in front before shot and throw it back or side when he shot to help having more speed

[@WorldPingPongVideo]

Liam the lion , amazing player

[@Republik-Pingpong-Tegal]

excellent backhand topspin

[@yunghanhuang8188]

I like yours more than the other guy.

[@stephenlarking2247]

And I thought my backhand topspin was pretty good till I saw Liam’s 😢

[@r.macgilchrist5758]

Thanks!

[@garyfagan6431]

Does the hair differential play a role? Great video.Thanks.

[@ahmedaljbory6469]

Helpful for me

[@alexr9030]

Liam is a lion , and poor Tom is still a cat😂 , will need a lot of practice to even grasp the power and consistency that Liam is doing but normal he is a pro player after all

[@kaarejansbol]

I don´t think bodymovement means much. Rather it is the arm and wrist that do it all. Of course you need to have the body in the right place, but I see almost no movement of the hip or that kind of thing.

[@rockys7726]

Yes, there are differences between technique . What you don't address and the biggest difference is that Liam has much more acceleration than you. Without the acceleration in his arm, wrist and body he wouldn't be able to overcome the backspin and go over the net. The main difference between amateur and pro is the acceleration in the strokes.

[@sebastianolomuscio586]

It is a half top spin, very, very fast and powerfull.

[@maximvavilov8072]

Такой если засадишь, никто не примет 👍🎾🎾🎾

[@virajsarode]

Those are very normal chops push why didn't you should with heavy chops

[@nikheelram2227]

first

[@MrDanmorgan07]

Great video. Very creative teaching method! Thanks for the new approach to what has been a difficult shot to hit consistently.