Looping: Topspin Attacking 69 Step 8 Looping: Topspin Attacking The loop is probably the most important shot in A loop is best done with an inverted sponge, table tennis. It's a heavy topspin shot done by just preferably a relatively new sheet. You can loop grazing the ball upward and forward. There are with pips, especially against backspin, but you'll many types of loops-forehand and backhand, have less spin than is po~sible with an inverted against backspin and topspin, counterloops (loops sponge. versus loops)-and they come in all speeds. Not Theloopisbestdonewiththeforehand,butitcan only must you learn to loop, but you must learn to also be done with the backhand. Most players do return the loop, most often with a block. not generate as much power on the backhand side The topspin of a loop does three things: and the shot itself is more difficult. So, in this step you will first learn the forehand loop, then the • Makes the ball jump when it hits the table backhand loop. After you know those loops, you • Makes an opponentwho doesn'tadjust to the can try counterlooping. Then you will learn cross­ topspin hit high or off the end of the table over footwork to cover your wide forehand. • Pulls theball downinflight, lettingyouhit the ball faster but still hit the table WHY IS THE LOOP IMPORTANT? There are three looping speeds: slow, medium, and fast. Topspin pulls the ball down and forces oppo­ The slow loop is the slowest, spinniest loop. nents into errors. On a normal drive, topspin is You stroke mostly up and just barely graze the moderate, so the effect is moderate. However, ball to give the most topspin but the least speed. with a loop, the spin is extreme and the effect" The slow loop is an excellent way to set up a kill becomes maximal. shot (a ball hit with enough speed so your oppo­ With a small amount of topspin, any ball can be nent cannot make a return) on the next shot. But hit hard. However, precision is needed on a hard some opponents may be able to attack it. Because shot,anditiseasyto makemistakes. Eveniftheshot of the grazing contact, you may miss the ball en­ hits, an opponent who reacts fast enough will tirely in attempting the slow loop. The shot is probably return it. done mostly against backspin. A loop gives you far more margin for error. The The medium loop is the safest loop, with me­ extreme topspin pulls the ball down, so evenifyou dium speed and medium spin. It's easier than a mis-hit, the ball may still hit the table. And your slowloop because thecontact doesn't have to beas opponenthas to deal notonly withthespeed of the fine. To doa mediumloop, youshould sink theball ball but also with the spin. into the sponge a little more than with a slow loop, creating more speed but less topspin. The stroke is EXECUTING THE FOREHAND LOOP more forward than the slow loop. A good setup shot, it's also a good rallying shot. Start by facing the table, your right foot slightly The fast loop is the most powerful and most back (see Figure 8.1a). Rotate your hips, waist, difficult loop. A put-away shot, this loop is mostly and shoulders backward, bringing racket and arm speed but still has a lot of topspin. The ball sinks back. Straighten your arm until it points back and moreinto thespongethanwithotherloops, andthe down, with your wrist cocked down. Against stroke is more forward. backspin, your arm should point more down and With fast loops (as with all other strokes), you your knees should bend even more. Drop your have to stroke more up against backspin, or more right shoulder against backspin. Against topspin, forward against topspin. Also note that against point your arm more backward and slightly backspin, a player can use the incoming spin to down. Shift your weight onto your right foot (see create more topspin. Against topspin, the very Figure 8.1b). same loop will have less spin but more speed Start the forward stroke by rotating your hips because the incoming topspin will make the ball and waist forward. Rotate your shoulders, pulling bounce off the racket faster. withtheleft. Justbeforecontact, snapyourforearm 70 Table Tennis: Steps to Success intotheballsmoothlybutvigorously. Againstback­ (see Figure8.lc). Contactis a grazing motion. Con­ spin,snapyourwristatcontact. (Advancedplayers tact should be made on the top half of the racket, sometimesusewristagainsttopspinaswell,butit's toward the tip. Against backspin, contact the back harder to control.) of the ball. Against topspin, contact theback top of Contact the ball as it drops for maximum spin the ball. and control,atthetopofthebouncefor faster, more Annshould continue up and forward, finishing aggressive loops. Contact is made in front and to with the racketsomewherearound the forehead or the right ofyour body, immediately after shoulder higher (see Figure 8.ld). Transfer your weight to and hip rotation. Whip the racket around the out­ your left foot. Return to ready position. side of theball, closing itas you do so to create spin Figure 8.1 Keys to Success: Forehand Loop Preparation Phase Against Backspin Against Topspin __ 1. In ready position, right foot slightly back Looping: Topspin Attacking 71 Execution Phase Backswing Against Backspin Against Topspin __ 1. Rotate body back and down on waist, hips, and shoulders 3 2. Both knees well bent, with 2. Both knees only slightly back knee bent more than bent front knee 3. Racket tip and arm point 3. Racket tip and arm point backward and slightly mostly down __ down __ 4. Weight shifts to back foot __ 5. Wrist cocked slightly down Forward Swing Against Backspin Against Topspin 1. Push up and forward with 1. Push forward with legs __ legs __ 2. Rotate hips, waist, and shoulders forward __ 3. Snap arm at elbow __ 4. Weight transfers to front foot c 72 Table Tennis: Steps to Success Against Backspin Against Topspin 5. Snap wrist at contact __ 5. Optional wrist snap __ 6. Power should be aimed 6. Power should be aimed mostly upward, especially mostly forward __ for extra topspin; more 7. Contact ball on drop or top forward for speed __ of bounce 7. Contact ball on the 8. Graze ball at contact some­ drop __ what, but ball sinks into 8. Graze ball at contact sponge __ __ 9. Accelerate throughout shot Follow-Through Phase Against Backspin Against Topspin 1. Follow through naturally, upward and forward, with racket continuing the motion __ 2. Return to ready position d d EXECUTING THE BACKHAND LOOP Pulltheracketforward usingfirst yourshoulder, Startbyfacing the table (see Figure 8.2a) with your then your elbow (see Figure 8.2c). Snap your wrist legs slightly wider than normal. Against backspin, into the ballatcontact. Rotate the racketaround the ba~, backs~g almost straight down between your closing the racket as you do so to create top­ le~s, tip do~, and bend your knees. Against top­ sprn. The more you graze the ball, the more spin sprn, backswrng to your left hip. and the less speed you get, and vice versa. Make co~tact Drop your right shoulder slightly. Rotate your on the. top half of the racket. Shift your hips to the left, shifting some weight to your left weIght to the nght foot. Against backspin, contact foot. Lean yourupperbodyforward slightly. Cock the back of the ball. Against topspin, contact the your wrist back (see Figure 8.2b). back top of the ball. Let the ball drop some, especially against back­ Follow through naturally, letting the racket go forward and up (see Figure 8.2d). Racket should spin: ~gainst backspin, begin your forward swing by lifting your upper body; this lifts your arm. point a little to the right of where the ball is going. Against topspin, begin your forward swing by Return to ready position. rotating your hips forward. Looping: Topspin Attacking 73 Figure 8.2 Keys to Success: Backhand Loop Preparation Phase Against Backspin Against Topspin __ 1. In ready position 2. Arm relaxed __ 3. Move into position, facing ball a a Execution Phase Backswing Against Backspin Against Topspin 4 b 1. Bend knees 1. Rotate hips slightly to 2. Rotate hips slightly to left left 2. Racket backswings to left 3. Drop arm between legs __ thigh - 4. Racket tip points down __ 3. Racket points down and 5. Drop right shoulder slightly back forward and down 4. Drop right shoulder slightly forward and down 74 Table Tennis: Steps to Success Forward Swing AgainstBackspin Against Topspin c c 1. Push up with legs and 1. Rotate hips forward __ waist 2. Drive racket forward with 2. Drive racket upward and arm and shoulder forward with arm and 3. Contact ball on the drop or shoulder top of bounce __ 3. Contact ball on drop __ 4. Graze ball at contact some­ 4. Graze ball what, but ball sinks into 5. Power should go mostly sponge __ upward __ 5. Power should go mostly forward __ 6. Snap wrist just before contact __ 7. Accelerate throughout stroke Follow-Through Phase AgainstBackspin Against Topspin __ 1. Follow through naturally, upward and forward __ 2. Return to ready position d d Looping: Topspin Attacking 75 COUNTERLOOPING and gravity will have more time to pull the ball The counterloop is a loop against a loop. Irs more down, increasing yourconsistency butgiving your difficult (and therefore more fun!) to learn, and opponent more time to react. it's widely used at the highest levels. It can be At first, take the ball well after the top of the done either forehand or backhand, but it's more bounce.