How to block heavy topspin

In this video, I explain how to block heavy topspin attacks.
There are three main things to think about (1) staying low (2) closing your bat angle (3) using a short movement towards the ball.
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[@freshh126]

Physics : exists Topsin shot : I am gonna end this man's whole carrer

[@rudraganguly5414]

Tom Lodziak is an excellent instructor - appreciate all his suggestions!

[@TomLodziak]

Thanks Rudra!

[@gorogimre2]

Dear Tom ! Super explanations ! Thanks for your tactical education. It is an upward trend in table tennis( see the new plastic ball) to win your points with a minimal effort . Blocks are our best friends to meet this important requirement !

[@ManhCuong21]

Thank you Tom, it's a great explanation

[@Chris-kl4zv]

Thanks for another useful video Tom.

[@MrTinykin]

Simple and clear explanation. Well done, Tom.

[@awesomeguitarshorts]

Excellent tut tom

[@F1rURules]

Awesome video bro, thanks for the explanation. Greetings from Colombia

[@imedbentahar7572]

Thank you coach. Very useful.

[@tomxtxt]

Nice. Really understandable explaination.

[@tonycorazon4357]

Vielen Dank. Sehr gut geklärt.

[@nikhilkhaitan9941]

It's really wonderfulllllllll.thanks 😊😊

[@freefiregamingstars866]

Tom lodziak is a great instructor

[@endyMild_69]

Bisa belajar....thanks

[@joshina8366]

Thank you

[@cfalcon8342]

awesome thanks

[@aidantroygomez5670]

Hey Tom, my main problem with blocking topspin is my reaction, usually when i dont know where the ball would land on the table. I was wondering if you could have some tips with reacting faster or predicting where the ball would go.

[@hattorii474]

I would say experience

[@liamcannon9617]

Practice is the only answer

[@Kami-jd3mq]

be faster

[@yudistiraliem135]

activate ultra instinct. But yeah, try to notice how the ball bounce with each type of spin. Without trying to notice those things your growth would be limited.

[@akashhalder0007]

Thnk you sir ❤❤❤

[@b623240]

👌👏 thanks!

[@coolkids8951]

Pls make a video on phantom block

[@njdenney69]

Love your videos, but I'm amazed that you've missed probably the MOST important point when trying to return an heavy topspin and that is to avoid a strong grip on the bat. Holding the bat with a loose grip makes returning heavy top spin far far easier.

[@TomLodziak]

Hi Nick - very good point. Having a softer grip gives you much more control when trying to block heavy topspin. If I ever re-make the video, I'll add that in.

[@twenty4seven368]

I was looking for the grip part. Thank you!

[@SamiUllah-pd4sk]

Good

[@nileriver5952]

thx

[@HappyYTLive]

Hi tom. I have one question. How do they hold a bat while forehand drive rally

[@TomLodziak]

Hi - take a look at my video on forehand drive. Hopefully this will help...kzbin.info/www/bejne/nl60ophmid5sgas

[@BattleFieldGalaxy]

Excellent instruction. I have a beginner question. How do players do their warm up shots where they just rally back and forth? I can't seem to find a YT video on this, perhaps because it's too simple? It's just not very obvious to an amateur such as myself. If you could do a video on it that would be great. Thank you.

[@Hin-yi6gw]

there are few steps when they warm up 1. they do forehand rally (not put spin on) 2. then do backhand rally (not put spin on) 3. one start forehand topspin and opponent just block gently 4. switch over generally, this is what would happen, but you can talk to the opponent if you wanna do something different

[@TomLodziak]

Do you mean warm-up their shots before the beginning of a match? Or just general training drills?

[@hiranrambabuontivillu8004]

general training drill

[@vladimirkleban16]

Hi Tom! Tnx for lesson. Q: How to block heavy spin & low speed topspin? m/b a new video lesson?

[@TomLodziak]

I'll add to the list of videos to make in the future. In short, you slower heavy topspin, you want to really close your bat angle and contact the ball quite soon after it has bounced. You can also give your bat a pinch as you make contact the ball to help control the spin more.

[@vladimirkleban16]

Tnx, Tom!

[@nuridemir5613]

at 2:43 your index finger is middle on the bat. You said before this is wrong grip ??

[@TomLodziak]

YES! This is a bad habit, which sneaks back into my game sometimes. This is a good example. Don't do this. Try to keep your index finger in line with the edge of the rubber. Good observation.

[@ishratrhidita9393]

Hey Tom I just started going to an academy for training professionally. I go there 3 days a week. I do around 600 balls on those 3 days on average. Sometimes I do 1000-1300 balls if there are less students. Is it enough practice? What else should I do to learn and improve faster?

[@TomLodziak]

It really is all down to lots and lots of practise - and practising in the right way. Take a look at this article I wrote - it might help you: www.tabletenniscoach.me.uk/how-long-take-get-really-good-table-tennis/

[@F-I-R-E]

Hi Tom, how do I return or rather "kill" a fast block?

[@TomLodziak]

Hi Sandra, you should try and topspin a fast block. It's not easy. You need to have a quick recovery after your first attack and then react quickly when your opponent blocks back.

[@F-I-R-E]

Thanks! I'll try that at my next game. So far, I've been blocking blocks. It works as long as my opponent does not surprise me with a corner counter block.

[@nikolaj781]

the best

[@geoffeaton3928]

Love your videos but try and get that index finer under control Tom 😉 😜

[@aseq2]

I think (I'm only a slightly above average level player) that one of the most important things when blocking is to not hold the blade too tightly, even more so than staying low. Many players are stressing because they're under attack and really grip their bat firmly, causing the ball to jump off it. Just relax and you'll be able to control the speed of the return, which even allows you to block and land it just over the net.

[@TomLodziak]

Yes. I agree. Keeping a loose grip helps absorb some of the energy of the topspin shot.

[@toekneema]

should you try to let the ball sink in deep and hit the wood or should you only let the ball hit into the sponge or rubber?

[@TomLodziak]

Focus more on your bat angle. Heavy topspin is going to sink into your rubber anyway, so just make sure your close your bat angle to control the topspin.

[@eevs8595]

Your finger really touches the rubber when youre playing a topspin. is that an advantage?

[@TomLodziak]

I don’t think this gives any advantage really. My finger does move up a little when I play forehands. I like the extra feeling this gives me. But many other players do not do this. A lot depends on the shape and size of your hand and how high up the handle you like to hold the bat.

[@imrannaseem6595]

In my very naive experience, I think it is critical to reach to the pitch of the ball (early timing). For slow loopy topspins (which I hate the most) it is quite a challenge for beginners like myself. For long or half-long topspins, blocking/countering is not that much of an issue...

[@bendovermore4260]

TBH I'm a pretty good, Average Joe Table Tennis player. My family has had a table set up in the house for years and it is used daily. Mostly by my father, brother and I. I want to get better, and usually, I end up watching youtube videos to get "advanced" lessons. Assuming my skill level as better than the average rec player, what are the top 5 things I should work on most?

[@TomLodziak]

Oh boy - this is a tough question without seeing you play. As a general answer, I would say (1) service (2) returning serves (3) playing topspin (4) footwork (5) match tactics. Sorry I can't be more specific than this. It really does depend on your current ability level and playing style. If you want me to give a more in-depth answer, please post a video of yourself playing a match and I'd be happy to give you some suggestions.

[@jobsanca]

hi Tom. I'm a Brazilian player, and with players for better level, I can't return the heavy top spins, even follow the tips on your video. the bat angle is very close, the ball goes near to the net, but go out in the back line. what should I do?

[@TomLodziak]

Hi Leandro It’s probably one of three issues. (1) You need to close the bat angle even more than you’re doing or (2) you’re blocking the ball too hard or (3) you’re blocking too late. Try closing the bat angle little more or block a bit more softly or contact the ball before it reaches the peak of the bounce. Let me know if any of these work. Tom

[@tindalamnokoring6415]

bat angle is about 45 degree position.

[@MrBangone28]

the effect spin will decrease if you take the ball from sideway and little close your bat angle also push to front direction. Ball will return on low with little backspin.

[@BustyGretchen]

Hmm, I would call that shot "regular" topspin. Heavy involves much more effort imho. And I think such a weak return would be ripped (meaning more focus on speed than on spin).

[@LK-go6uu]

I am trying your method of facing top spin some time it works but most of the time it crashes with net..please advise me I wanna master it...

[@TomLodziak]

If the ball goes into the net, you have probably turned the bat angle too much. Try opening the bat angle a little and the ball will go over the net.

[@Under-dogGamer]

Is that kellsy kerrige cambridge uk.

[@TomLodziak]

Yes, that's right. Have you played there?

[@Under-dogGamer]

Yeah live in cambridge.Dont suppose you coach at hills road do you if so you mite be my old mans coach. I play quite alot.Was quite good been playing since 6 years old. I am a qualified tennis pro in cambridge.I saw your vid on returniing topspin as i was working on that with my dad.He plays in a seniors league.

[@Under-dogGamer]

Used to play at aru all the time also at my parents house they have a tabble there.Hes also got a fancy ball feeder there which is awsome.I coch my dad most weeks.

[@Under-dogGamer]

Just spoke to my dad you are his oach lol.You have done great work with him thank you.I try tyo reinforce what you teach him, carry on the good work mate bless.

[@TomLodziak]

Yes!! I have been coaching your Dad for a while. He is truly inspirational. I hope I have the same thirst for life when I am his age. If you are ever free, you would be very welcome to come along to a session with your Dad. He often talks about you. I think he is a very proud Dad!

[@pingpong6023]

When you say fast block, do you mean contact the ball early, or accelerate your racket?

[@TomLodziak]

You can keep the timing the same, but accelerate your racket through the ball a bit more.

[@garybarnes798]

How to return heavy back spin? Hi Tom - doing this with top spin is very difficult at intermediate level . Better players than me seem to return by doing a lift and push type type stroke. Have you got anything on you tube that covers this ?

[@TomLodziak]

Hi Gary, I'm not sure if I have understood you right - but you may be referring to 'fishing'. This is another way to return a heavy topspin stroke, where you step back from the table and just lift the ball back. There is a video demo of this here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6OkgnuMf9ymi9k. Personally I find blocking more effective and I haven't had much difficulty teaching this to intermediate players I coach. Give it a try!

[@garybarnes798]

Tom Lodziak Thanks for the personal reply - I’m playing division 3 and 4 . The division 2 players often play heavy back spin using their wrists - the bat is very open - these are hard for beginners to deal with - but I’ve noticed the more advanced players often return them by also using the same type of action . How do you coach an easy way to return heavy back spin ? It seems to me that

[@yanus2970]

We can get the idea. However it doesn't really seem to be a slow and "heavy" top spin but a "normal" top spin, we can here the sound of the shot, instead of to feel the ball rubbed.

[@TomLodziak]

For that really slow and heavy topspin shot, you need to close bat angle even more and try to block it quite soon after the bounce.

[@ragnarblackmane6024]

I didnt see really heavy spin there, looked like regular. I'm a block-player and struggle only with the really heavier spins 1-2 leagues above me (still low leagues though). The ones that are sometimes really slow with a big arch.

[@gamecrusher-brawlstars3368]

That is a loop.

[@pingpong6023]

Do you use wrist?

[@TomLodziak]

I think it's easier to keep your wrist a bit more fixed when blocking. You want to keep your stroke simple. Concentrate on the bat angle and the timing and a short movement towards the ball.

[@empelotion5323]

Your wrist supposed to be relax

[@DyaVictor]

My coach put so much topspin in his attack that I have to aim at my side of the table

[@TomLodziak]

Yes, you may need to. If very, very heavy topspin, you really need to turn the bat angle a lot.

[@gitasharma5362]

My racket has gap between rubber and handle it really effects or not

[@asael4543]

That's actually a penhold grip rubber I guess

[@ilyaslokhandwala9685]

how to attack shortballs

[@yuritarded1527]

dont u do a spin to cancel out their spin

[@TomLodziak]

You could do. So if someone plays a topspin attack at you, you could play a counter topspin or if you're a defender you could chop back. But the block is a much easier to do. I recommend learning to block first and then you can move on to more advanced strokes.

[@ajaykumarjain4136]

Tell some new service

[@yunghanhuang8188]

not easy to let the ball comes to you, stiff arm extension is a big problem for beginners

[@jechris12]

Was that a topspin?

[@pomarancza02502]

Hi Tom.. Don"t you have Polish roots?? Your last name sounds polish..

[@TomLodziak]

Yes that's right, my Grandfather is from Poland.

[@hayvantv4210]

Not blok make a hard shoot

[@benzema90ful]

😐😐😐😐😐😐

[@adrianruelas1812]

you turn your body sideways preparing for the shot, which is good to do, but while performing the stroke, you only use de arm, and turn the body back towards the table after the shot. so much wasted potential energy.

[@zorinjo7920]

This isn t a topspin, no hate

[@edneo1201]

I don't get it