|
The backhand block, like the forehand block, uses the speed and spin
that is already on the ball to return the ball back across the net. The biggest difference
between the backhand and forehand block is the backhand block makes contact with the ball
directly in front of the body; whereas, the forehand block makes contact with the ball to
the side and in front of the body.
Stand about 12 inches in back of the center of your backhand court
(the left court as you face the table, for right handers) in a squared off stance as shown
in Photo 11. Do not turn your body sideways. Position your body so if you did not hit the
ball, it would hit you squarely in the center of your body. Distribute your weight equally
between both legs. Tilt your upper body slightly forward so your elbows hang down just in
front of the body.
Intercept the ball with a still racket as the ball is rising and
just before it reaches its peak. Angle the racket open or closed by rotating the forearm
to make the ball return low over the net. If your return is too high, you must angle the
racket more closed by tilting the face of the racket toward the table. Conversely, if your
return is too low and doesn't clear the net, you must open the racket angle slightly by
tilting the face of the racket closer to vertical.
Lesson 10: Backhand Block With No Foot Movement
Adjust the robot to deliver topspin shots to the middle of your
backhand court at a slow pace and speed. Practice your backhand block in the same manner
and in the same sequence as you did the forehand block. Start slowly with no oscillation
and blocking the ball back crosscourt, then down-the-line, and finally alternating
shots in the two directions. Gradually build up the ball frequency and speed. Be sure that
you can do, without missing, 50 crosscourt blocks, then 50 down-the-line blocks, and
finally 50 patterns of alternating crosscourt and down-the-line blocks.
Remember not to swing at the ball. Merely block the path of the ball
with your racket and let the ball's speed and spin cause it to rebound across the net.
Experiment with tilting the racket angle downward until you can consistently place the
ball back in the desired direction and low over the net.
Lesson 11: Backhand Block With Foot Movement
When you have reached your current maximum limits in Lesson 10,
you're ready to combine movement with the backhand block. To add movement to the robot,
turn the main switch off and set the sweep control levers to the
|
|
|
|
Photo 11: Backhand Block
(Croscourt) Notice angle of the racket. It is tilted
slightly closed to compensate for the topspin on the ball and slightly to the right to
make the ball return crosscourt. The upper body is square to the table and leaning
forward. The right elbow is hanging down slightly in front of the body. Left hand (almost
hidden by the racket) counterbalances the racket hand. Weight is equally distributed on
both legs. |
Photo 11: Backhand Block
(Croscourt)
|
|
|
|
|
