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Can I just start by a big thank you to jixianlan for translating this for us to enjoy! I did nothing more than touch up here and there. Big thumbs up to you mate!
Analysis of top level players techniques in confronting a chopping opponent.
Many amateurs have difficulty playing against chopping returns. Due to the scarce opportunity to play with “chopping” style players, they lack the environment to understand the spin and rhythm of the game of these players. Thus many inexperienced players dread playing against them, and becomes a devastating element.
One should shake away the fear and treat a chop as simply a long push. Remember, chopping generates spin variation similar to that of a push, but with a longer arch. Due to its longer retuning time, it is actually easier to determine the nature of the spin and its landing point on the table. Once we've established this understanding, we can then proceed to learn the ways to confront chops, focusing on three basic principles. In this article, we shall introduce the methods employed by top level players – “continuous spinny topspin loop”, “short push”, and “forceful smash/drive”.
1.Spinny topspin loop
(Employed by LI Xiaoxia of China)
The first principle is to loop a spinny topspin. This simply means learning to brush the ball, and create a highly spinning returned ball. There is nothing mysterious about the chopped return, in fact the spin of this incoming ball is comparatively stable. Again, treat it as a long push.
Chopping is usually done at mid or far table, with backspin and at times, combined with side spin. Since your opponent is further away from table, and chopping is a slower action, we ought to have more time to counter the incoming ball. It is crucial to start moving your bat early, usually as the incoming ball is about to land or has just landed on the table. Loop the ball as it drops slightly from the top of bounce. This is crucial, in order to create a good loop with great spin and stability.
The point of contact between the bat with the incoming ball is important for an effective loop. If the chop is loaded with spin, the loop must be done after its initial drop from its apex. Loop with large arm movement, with power, to enhance the outgoing spin. However, if the incoming spin is less, then loop with forward trust, at its initial drop from peak. In this manner, we would be able to control the height of the looping arch and its landing point over the other half of the table.
2. Push short – combined with above looping method, forcing opponent to move backward and forward.
(Employed by Li Jiawei of SIN)
It is not always best to attack continuously against a chopper. His distant position from table allows him to return a loop easily. And he is good at returning the incoming force back to his opponent. A good chopper usually excels in handling powerful loops, creating spinny or floating returns. This causes his opponent to incorrectly judge his timing and power of his next loop.
This situation calls for the second principle. It is well known that it is more difficult for a chopper to move back and forth, than to move side to side.
This principle is not as complicated as it sounds. Force your opponent away from table with a spinny loop, and do a short push to lure him back to the table. Then complete the strategy by another spinny loop again.
Normally it is quite easy to move from far to close, but the reverse may not be so. This is the reason why the above technique can easily disrupt the rhythm of opponent.
3. Destroying his defense with a powerloop drive and smashing
(Employed by Zhang Yi Ning of China)
The basic strategy to control the game when facing a chopper is to employ the strong spinny loop and short push game. In other words, avoid making mistakes on our own. However, this is still not good enough. The third principle is : utilize the opportunity to attack, as created from the first and second principles.
It is necessary to evaluate the incoming return correctly before smashing or loop drive. We might make mistake easily, if the incoming chop arch is low and long. It is best to employ this technique if the chopping arch is high, or quite high and is near the net.
(Source: Table Tennis World)
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