BACKHAND TOPSPIN vs backspin (basic & advanced technique)

In this video I take an in-depth look at how to play a backhand topspin against a backspin ball.
This shot will allow you to attack your opponents backspin serve, push or chop.
In the video I show three different backhand topspin techniques - a basic method, a spin method and a speed method.
I explain the pros and cons of each method and give my views on which method is best.
Developing a good backhand topspin will help you raise your game to the next level. Try out my methods and see which works best for you.
And thanks to Eli Baraty and Daniel Hearne-Potton for showing off their backhand topspin skills!
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[@tabletenniswithabp3468]

Basic method: 1:25 Spin method: 3:00 Speed method: 7:05

[@ultralooter]

I am getting good so much faster than my colleagues because of these video's. Thanks Tom!

[@TomLodziak]

Excellent. Always happy to help. Keep on practising!

[@susanresz5225]

Thanks, Tom. It was very helpful to distinguish the options for this shot. This was the best explanation of a difficult shot that I have seen.

[@martinweber3902]

One of the best table tennis channels on KZbin :)

[@Mathijs303]

I agree :)

[@TomLodziak]

Tanks Martin!

[@readisgooddewaterkant7890]

Thx for be nice

[@tytr6149]

Martin W eber

[@albertcieplinski1870]

My favorite for sure. It's actually the first channel I ever started to support with cash (through KZbin).

[@philipyudada6298]

Coach - Thanks for this segment on backhand spins. I really appreciate how you dissect the movements and explain them..

[@silviopozza8413]

The most pedagogic TT tutorial videos I've ever seen. Seems like he can read the doubts in my mind! Thanks a lot, Tom, cheers!

[@angelh8262]

These teaching videos are brilliant! Thanks 🙏

[@3007films]

Thanks for you very helpful instructions.

Always solid table tennis tips. Really appreciate your videos. Thanks!

[@PWCDN]

Great tips, I'm learning to play in VR and these tips work. I am instantly seeing results when practicing with a ball machine.

[@PhongMike]

Great coaching... Thank you

[@box.10]

Yet ANOTHER top video from Tom and what a goodun it is, Thanks Tom, keep up the excellent videos

[@EnglishSchoolOnlineFree]

Thanks for the class professor! I’m sure I will now improve my gameplay!

[@gududay]

Thanks coach. It is really useful and very clear demonstration and detailed enough for all. Thanks a lot

[@letmedietomorrow]

Well done guide for dummies. Appreciated

[@kostasanastasopoulos2887]

Thank you very much Tom for the knowledge

[@MacBelloeRibelle]

Thank you Tom. I improve my tequinque day by day with your tips

[@TomLodziak]

Thank you for watching. Always happy to help.

[@eds59]

Dear Tom, thank you very much. The video is really helpful, now I see my mistakes when I'm doing a backhand topspin.

[@eduardorabelo2387]

The best canal to learn Table Tennis. Thank you !

[@Hajjat]

Canal?

[@Mateus.007]

DaJaguar portuguese mistake.

[@ravisrinivasan4817]

Awesome tips. Thank you.

[@stefanreuter9626]

Great Tutorial👍

[@gunnarkieck2063]

Great thanks Tom! 👍🏻

[@vladimirkleban16]

Спасибо, Том! Tnx, Tom! All very easy to understand.

[@readisgooddewaterkant7890]

Vladimir Kleban Thx for be nice

[@robertplatttTT]

Really look forward to your videos weekly, they are excellent tutorials, which can improve your strokes and general play. Like in particular your explanations and the way you break different segments of the strokes down.

[@TomLodziak]

Thanks Robert.

[@readisgooddewaterkant7890]

Thx for be nice

[@chrisnguyen4867]

Thanks for the great training video

[@alangoudie2299]

Excellent as usual.

[@TaiHuynh.2002]

Thank you Tom!!!

[@M.G1440]

Well explained and great tips

[@readisgooddewaterkant7890]

M.G Thx for be nice

[@kaustavray3164]

Excellent tutorial

[@nphipps2]

This is great. Thanks so much.

[@foxesruler]

Table Tennis looks very much like a physics lesson - speed, angle, spin, bounce, friction, etc. and anatomy lesson - body posture, movement, etc. I am just a newbie, but thanks to this channel it clarifies many things up. I really love the slow and through explanations. Keep up the good work!

[@TomLodziak]

Thanks for watching. Table tennis can seem a bit daunting at first. My best advice, is start slow, focus on consistency and good technique and gradually it will become easier.

[@tinnyunt4924]

Thanks it’s very clear

[@babakvaseghi149]

Very good, appreciated.

[@jamzrez8384]

good coaching.. thumbs up

[@tonycorazonoficial8692]

Muy buena explicasion. Thanks. Verry moch 😀

[@darkfeder7715]

Thank you! Very good job :)

[@readisgooddewaterkant7890]

Federico Licchetta Thx for be nice

[@spectra5590]

Thanks coach 👍

[@victorsoto126]

wao!!! A experimentar cosas nuevas en nuestro juego. Mil gracias!!!!!!!!!!

[@saeedhadad9107]

It was very and so good teaching.Thank you teache

[@renzorendon3218]

Thank u sir i understand very well

[@irikanji]

Excellent video tom......super content!

[@readisgooddewaterkant7890]

irikanji Thx for be nice

[@edmundchin667]

I love the method how the coach teach

[@gitasharma5362]

You explain very nicely

[@martinweber3902]

Really good video, helped me a lot ;)

[@readisgooddewaterkant7890]

Martin Weber good luck

[@hugokarpinski4048]

Very nice video, I think backhand topspin is one of the hardest shot. Personally I struggle with timing especially on long serve with backspin and deep push. The main problem to execute well the shot is that it needs a lot of relaxation in the wrist. For receiving serve, the spinny version is the safest and it is quite effective depending on the feeling of the ball. I try to force myself not to take my forehand to attack those balls but it is hard!

[@hunterzdk]

Hugo Karpinski bh x

[@jasonstack122]

thanks just getting back into Table Tennis, and these videos are great I'm a volunteer at the YMCA and have started a club for adults!

[@TomLodziak]

Fantastic! Volunteers like you are essential for growing the sport. Thanks for watching and commenting and good luck with the new club.

[@djhumantorch]

Great job. Keep it up. Suggestion topic: Long pimples against backspin :)

[@user-po8dw4jq5w]

thank you a lot!

[@ss8101989]

Loved this video, been struggling with backhand top spin for quite some time! Nice detailed explanation, Im going to go and practice all 3 methods.

[@TomLodziak]

Good luck. Let me know how you get on.

[@readisgooddewaterkant7890]

Good luck and Thx for be nice

[@allaniman8829]

same here.

[@warrentamlingyi6616]

Best tutorial for backhand topspin I have seen so far.

[@thetechnicalv1370]

Very nice video. As a kid i joined my school table tennis and

[@hutorohutoro2196]

good...follow you ..Tom

[@mazwirwir5143]

Thank you coach very goog

[@farhanshams7286]

This guy is great! He is the 3blue1brown guy of table-tennis!!

[@eloimumford5247]

At my senior club , most are obcessed counting points , most dont want to practice ...just play.. How to convince them to dont count thus Practice ...i personnaly i dont care points.

[@hjuff771]

Bravo!

[@eduardorabelo2387]

Excellent

[@readisgooddewaterkant7890]

Eduardo Rabelo Thx for be nice

[@tamirathailu2973]

Thanks 🙏

[@webmonkeymon]

Congratulations! I made it all the way through.

[@TomLodziak]

Ha! You deserve a medal for that!

[@webmonkeymon]

R I am so surprised to win this bronze medal. I was not expecting to even get to the semi finals. I was so focused on watching table tennis, I was not aware of the time. I have to thank my wife for her amazing support for my Olympic viewing.

[@readisgooddewaterkant7890]

Tim Gapinski good work to the semi finals

[@LonelyHeartsChannel]

Heard of "aim to miss"? To return a heavy backspin, I aim the base line. For heavy topspin, I aim the net. Works well with me. Both strokes send the ball back on the table. I don't stress on how much counter spin I should make. I just aim to miss

[@TomLodziak]

Interesting idea. I've not tried this approach, but I can see the logic. I might try this in my coaching sessions. Thanks!

[@anweshdas6889]

I also use this against topspins.... It works really well..

[@Volgrath]

Excellent, easy to follow explanations. Do you have tips for drilling these strikes for those of us beginners who struggle a bit to hit them consistently?

[@TomLodziak]

Easy way to start is get another player to keep feeding you backspin balls and you topspin. Or if you have access to a robot, you can do the same thing. Lots of repetition is needed to achieve consistency.

[@chaitanyawankhede1]

nice!

[@wilkinru]

I think you should look at the finish position of these strokes too. You can see your buddy ending pointed towards the wall with the 'spin method'. Honestly the spin vs speed thing is just something you will manage depending on the ball given to you. You want to increase the speed when you can, generally.

[@TomLodziak]

Maybe. A lot depends on what standard you are playing at. At amateur level, playing with lots of heavy spin can be very effective. At pro level, the players need more speed.

[@wilkinru]

Given the same ball FZD will hit a much harder loop than me. No top player skips out on the high spin loop, it's required against heavy backspin and/or close to the table balls so your advice is quite good here. You are right lower level players may not need to come forward so much but I think it's just a natural progression of the shot as a player improves.

[@maksymiliangajda9920]

Thanks

[@henriki8015]

Hi. I think it is quite important to keep the elbow a bit in front of you, and stable. Pivoting the forearm around it. This matters at least a lot for me, especially with the second and third method. Without this, my movement easily can end up being more sideways than forward.

[@TomLodziak]

Agreed!

[@5pp000]

+100 Such an important point, and so often overlooked.

[@werkinehfikadu]

Impressive

[@readisgooddewaterkant7890]

how do you prepare yourself for a tournament ?

[@lengraham4550]

Would I be right I thinking that different tables when you play league games can affect your personal game? What’s the best way to adapt to these circumstances? Thanks.

[@abdallababikir4473]

My advice is for you to add some couches or anything like pillows on the sides to improve sound quality and reduce echo. There are probably some Videos on how to reduce echo as this will make the content much better. Otherwise awesome tips and keep it going

[@tabletennistutorials]

Hi Tom I just wanted to request if you could make a video on how to backhand top spin on your channel. I am struggling to make a backhand top spin and don't know how to

[@onofrioclementi3830]

suggestion: talk about where to make contact on the paddle

[@xxx0ox0]

I am mostly wondering what ques im looking for compared a loop. Everything here is the same as a loop. I tried focusing on just aiming a little higher to now focusing on bat/wrist angle

[@_yousef3123]

Thanks Tom ♥️ , can you help me? I can't develop in the game , i play a lot but i don't know how to be better!!

[@donl1876]

Even Better with captioned on screen

[@AnantLuhadiaINDIA]

Great

[@Chas10691]

Hey @Tom Lodziak nice video. Would you agree that depending on speed or spin method the timing of contacts point are a little bit different ? Speed method tends to be the modern tabletennis ways and has a early contact point. Reasons beeing that you can suprise your opponent and he has less reaction time and that the ball cannot generate so much spin like at a later point. Spin method seems to be later because you are heavily brushing up anyway and the amount of spin isnt such agreat factor. Also the high arc of your generated topspin may need the late point to hit the table( ideal case on the white line).

[@TomLodziak]

Hi Chas - yes, I think you have described the contact points well. Another way of looking at it (which works for some people I coach), is to always contact 20-30cm in front of body. This means the ball could be before peak, peak or after peak. But focusing on playing the shot in front of the body can simplify the timing for some people.

[@LoLo-dh9pi]

Cool - can you add a movie on heavy back spin - how to attack it, when to push it, when to shove it and when to hum it?

[@TomLodziak]

I have added this to my ever-growing list of videos to make!

[@jrk1666]

how would i do this with the penhold grip ?

[@nebojsapetrovic2747]

Thank you Tom for all your videos! Can we use a backhand topspin against topspin ball? And if we can, is it any diference in the angle of the bat? Thanks.

[@TomLodziak]

If it is a topspin ball, you need to start with your bat higher, close the bat angle much more and brush over the top of the ball.

[@nebojsapetrovic2747]

@@TomLodziak Thank you very much!

[@jonahheal7244]

What makes schlager's backhand against choppers like joo se hyuk more reliable than other professionals?

[@arafhakim7608]

Terima kasih

[@hainguyen1164]

Hello Coach, how to improve table tennis by practicing alone with table and balls and without table?

[@Wally-H]

One of my friends got an old bat and attached a piece of strong to it, with a ball at the other end. He flips the ball up and just practices hitting it using the correct technique. His backhand was especially weak but he's really improved it spending hours at home using this method

[@yudistiraliem135]

Pretty sure you can hit it with side spin by brushing the ball on the side totally ignoring the underspin of your opponent. Usually (or always?) you have to hit the ball early in the bounce to do this with power and consistency.

[@albertcieplinski1870]

How about contact points? Should I aim at a specific place on the ball and the racket? As you didn't mention that, is it, like, not necessarily important?

[@skerpy8145]

Top of the bat/ middle. When u hit the ball you instinctively hit the ball at the top of middle

[@DragonWarrior976]

Thanks Tom. A good tutorial as always. I like you knack of keeping things simple. However, you missed out on 1. The contact point of the ball for this stroke 2. Height at which one should contact the ball. Most players make lots of errors in these two departments.

[@TomLodziak]

Yes, good points. So in general, for basic and spin method, try to brush up the back of the ball. For speed method, contact a little more towards top of ball. In terms of ball height, there are different approaches. I find it easier to topspin peak of bounce, but others prefer to let it drop a little. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@Hajjat]

How about Kreanga’s?

[@Mathijs303]

What I struggle with is determining the right angle of the bat... depending on the amount of back spin on the incoming ball, you have to adjust and I find it hard not to play in the net or too high so the opponent can smash on it. How do you get that angle just right? It's hard to determine the amount of spin on a ball from the opponent.

[@TomLodziak]

Reading the amount of spin is something you get better at the more you play. In general, if your opponent's racket speed is faster when pushing or chopping and the ball stays lower, it is more likely to be heavy backspin. If your opponent's racket speed is slower when pushing or chopping and the ball a little higher, it is more likely to be light backspin. If you read the amount of spin earlier then you have a better chance of getting the correct bat angle.

[@Mathijs303]

@@TomLodziak thanks for the tips! I play tonight so I'll pay extra attention to it. :) Cheers

[@2534ivan]

Dear Tom, With the three methods you provide, where do you hit the ball exactly? At the bottom, in the middle or at the top of the ball? Thanks. Ivan

[@TomLodziak]

For basic and spin methods, try brushing more up the back of the ball. For spin method, try brushing more towards the top of the ball.

[@Mateus.007]

Tom Lodziak you have written spin twice instead of speed.

[@alfandosavant4639]

The answer is Chiquitaaaa!! 😉

[@pipinaripin2892]

Thanks to your practices mr... Im from indonesian.. 👍

[@abdullahalsakka]

May I ask if you don’t mind what is the bat you are using. I should buy a bat but I’m in a big dilemma. I count myself as an intermediate player so if you can help a bit with a bat, I think you have experience in bats.😂😂 A bat with good spin and speed and price xD and ready 😅😅 thank you

[@TomLodziak]

Hi, I use a Joola Fever blade, Joola Rhyzer 48 on FH and Joola Rhyzer 43 on BH. I have advice and recommendations for intermediate players on my website: www.tabletenniscoach.me.uk/best-table-tennis-bats-for-intermediate-players/

[@schenzur]

Chiquita!

[@arifurrahman2376]

Hey Tom Lodziak... I am from Bangladesh where table tennis is not much popular but I have much interest , true to say I am ready to spend 4-5 hrs for it daily..... But i have no partner or coach to company me everyday.....I have rackets, table & bought 200 balls also..... and in youtube I only follow your videos..... you are just incredible to me.. I have seen your all videos for number of times...... I just love your videos and you ...... Now i need 4 things to know from you......... 1. How can i practice my shots with multiballs alone.... any video ??? 2. Any practice to improve control over ball and spin in any where where table is not available ..... any video ??? 3. Exercises that might improve my footwork ....??? 4. Any book on table tennis that might help to in and out ??? Plzzzzz..... Do help for me...... I know I have more obstacles but my determination is more stonger...... and I determined to play like a pro....

[@TomLodziak]

I think it is really difficult to improve without someone to play with. Your best option will be to (a) find someone to play with (b) buy a table tennis robot. In terms of books, here's some of my favourites: www.tabletenniscoach.me.uk/11-must-read-table-tennis-books/

[@user-lq6mq6uu4h]

Yes yes

[@onofrioclementi3830]

where the ball makes contact on the paddle?--just a suggeston-see previous incomplete comment.

[@tabletenniswithabp3468]

Which method to best 10:50

[@tabletenniswithabp3468]

Is

[@rithveek]

How to return very low bounce balls ?

[@MDApple-up6nq]

dear coach what is the deference between backhand topspin and backhand loop?

[@TomLodziak]

They are really the same thing. Some players use the word loop to describe a topspin shot which loops up over the net and then arcs back down on the table. But really this is just a lot of topspin.

[@RobertoCostas]

I usually use the term "loop" to differentiate it from the usual topspin because the technique is not exactly the same.

[@jessenascimento2099]

6:41 again and again

[@mauricetate3571]

I feel you are teaching 2 different strokes to handle against backspin high spin and more direct while there should be one. Table tennis is hard enough without adding more strokes. My high level coach wants a flat bat angle parallel with the floor in the backswing in all backhand topspin strokes BOTH against backspin and also against block. The third method in your video illustrates this blade angle aspect very well. This leads to consistency with the same back-swing in high spin topspins and more direct topspins against backspin. To do a more spinny stroke you just forward bend more and bend the legs more so the swing is more upward. The top pros like ma long do this approach. I do not think many top 20 pros do the second approach. Your second approach could be inconsistent as the blade angle could vary stroke to stroke. What do you think?

[@TomLodziak]

Hi Maurice - I guess what I am trying to get across in the video is that there are different ways to play the shot. It sounds like you are developing a BH topspin technique similar to the speed method I demonstrate. If this works for you (and your coach is telling you to do this), then I would just stick with it. It's a great shot! But other players find it hard to play BH in this way and have more success with spin method or basic method. So for me there is no 'right way' or 'wrong way'. There are different options and every player has to find the option which works best for him/her.

[@mauricetate3571]

@@TomLodziak I tend to think technique is caped or not caped rather than right or wrong. A method that is caped will lead to dead end in improvement over time. Sure they will get the ball back more in the short term but lack spin or speed. This will only take then so far. Better players will take advantage of the lack of penetration. I feel with keen players that are training each week coaches should teach the method that the pros use. This is the most effortless method to generate spin and speed from correct body mechanics that support the arm movements. Its the forward bend down movement in the backhand topspin takeback. Of course it could take longer to learn the pro style stroke but it will be more rewarding in the long term.

[@TomLodziak]

It really depends on what your goals are. If your goal is to be a pro player and you have the time to train several times a week, then YES it makes sense to develop advanced technique similar to other pro players. But if your goal is simply to win matches and tournaments at an amateur level and you have limited time to train, then you really do not need to emulate the technique of top professionals. In fact I would advise against it to a certain degree. If someone tries to emulate Ma Long, but can only practice one hour a week, then he will never get anywhere and most likely be far more inconsistent than he was before. This is because it takes a heck of a lot of practice to do what Ma Long does consistently. And if you can't do it consistently, then it's not much use. At amateur level, you can pretty much use any playing style and still be the best player in your area/town/city. Of course, if your technique is too basic it may stop you progressing any further, but if this is not your goal, then what does it matter? For me as a coach, I always factor in what a player's goals are. If it is simply to improve, win more points, move up a division etc, then there really is no need to force the player to play like a professional. Often, simplifying the technique helps the player improve far more. Sorry for the long rant! I think you have inspired me to write a blog post on this issue! Thanks for watching and commenting.