Backhand Topspin in Table Tennis. A Technical Analysis

Along with the forehand topspin, the backhand topspin is one of the most crucial and effective shots. Mastering this shot will require a deep understanding of its technical aspects. In this post we will discuss the backhand topspin in table tennis exploring its mechanics and coaching points, as well as how you can implement it into your playstyles. Throughout this post the examples will be as if it is a right handed player. If you are left handed everything will be the opposite.

Mechanics of the Backhand Topspin

The mechanics of the backhand topspin are almost identical to that of the forehand topspin. So we do not repeat ourselves, you can find all of this information here. However, there is one slight difference, your stance and body position.

Just like with the forehand your stance is crucial for generating power and balance in your shot. While going through the motions of the shot, your stance should change very slightly. We will cover these changes when we break the shot down into each of its stages. These stages are the same as the forehand topspin:

1. Ready Position
2. Back Swing
3. Contact Point
4. Follow Through

Ready Position

The ready position with all shots will always be the same. To prevent repeating ourselves, on this post will be a quick summary of the ready position. If you wish to read the more in-depth coaching points you can do so here. Key points for ready position:

• Feet shoulder width apart with knees bent
• Toes, knees and shoulders in a line
• Arms extended in front with bend at elbow

Back Swing

Once we know the shot we are going to perform is a backhand topspin we can now start to prepare for this. Making sure we have the correct grip and stance first, is important to executing a good backhand topspin in table tennis. We have already covered the grip as this is the same from the ready stance. However, the stance changes slightly, it also differs from that of the forehand topspin. Start off in the same position as the ready position, from here drop your left foot back (right foot if you are left-handed) ever so slightly, 5 cm at the most. This little step back gives you the space needed to bring your bat and waist back.

The backhand topspin should be a fluent movement, to start it off we need the correct backswing. The bat should be taken back to your left hip, keeping your elbow bent. As you move the bat back you should also transfer your weight onto your back foot which at this point should be your left. Doing this should cause a rotation in your hips and waist. A big misconception for this stage of the shot is to bring the bat back to your belly button, this is not the case! We bring the bat back to our hip as it gives us the space for a bigger back swing and a more natural shot.

Contact Point

Just like with the forehand, this is where we are going to generate the spin from. Contacting the ball at the correct time and on the correct part of the bat and ball will be very important. First, we will talk about where on the bat and ball we should be making contact. When playing a topspin shot in table tennis you should try to use the middle of the bat on contact point, this is to get the most control and spin. The contact point on the ball will be different depending on what spin your opponent has put on the ball. If your opponent has also put topspin on the ball, you should contact over the top of the ball. For some, this may seem like it would make the ball go down however, due to the spin on the ball this will not be the case. If your opponent has played a backspin shot to you, and you want to topspin the ball, you will have to contact it slightly different. If you contact over the top of the ball, it will just drop straight off your bat onto your side of the table. Therefore, you need to come up the back of the ball more to counteract the backspin.

Next we need to understand where you are going to play the shot. Unlike with the forehand, you should play the backhand topspin directly in front of you. Not to the side. If you were to swing and miss the ball, the ball should hit you in your stomach. If this doesn’t happen, and the ball goes straight past you then you are not in the correct position. Your elbow should be bent and your arm almost in the shape of an ‘L’.

To transition from the back swing to the contact point, there is going to need to be some rotation. Your hips and shoulders should simultaneously rotate. As this happens you should also transfer your weight from your back foot to your front foot. Doing all of this combined will be where you get your spin from. When playing against a backspin shot, you should drop your weight down more onto your left knee and as you rotate come up slightly while transferring your weight to your right knee. The more you use your legs in a topspin shot the more spin you will be able to generate.

Follow Through

The follow through is very important to help complete the topspin shot and helps maintain balance. After contacting the ball, you should continue moving your arm in a forward and upward direction. When stages 2 – 4 are put together the action should emulate that of throwing a frisbee. Like with the forehand, your bat should roughly finish in front of your face. A good way to check your bat finishes in the correct position is to imagine there is a mirror on the rubber. You should be able to “see yourself in the mirror”. Your bat should not come any further than this point, otherwise, it will increase your recovery time and reduce the amount of control you have in your shots.

After you have finished your shot with the follow through, you should now go back to the ready position and recover ready to play your next shot. This is very important to do so you can prepare to start your next shot much quicker from neutral.

Strategic Applications

Being able to master the backhand topspin in table tennis will allow you to utilise it in may different ways. The following are examples of where you can use the backhand topspin effectively.

1. Attacking play – If you are more comfortable playing a backhand shot, using the backhand topspin could be a very affective way for you to attack against your opponents. Having a consistent spiny backhand topspin can put your opponent under a lot of pressure. Forcing them to make mistakes more easily.
2. Opening opportunities – Just like with the forehand topspin, the backhand topspin can be just as affective at turning defence into attack when utilised correctly. Performing a good open up shot with plenty of spin can put you in good stead to win the point. It will put you in control of the rally playing in a more attacking way. Remember, when playing a topspin shot against backspin you must bend your knees more and contact the back of the ball rather than the top.
3. Control and variation –  The backhand topspin can be adapted for different situations. You can adjust the amount of spin and speed you put on the ball. This makes it difficult for your opponents to predict what shot you are going to play. You can play one slow spiny shot to draw out a weak ball to then play a faster shot next. Or, you could have played a few faster shots with less spin, then play a slower shot but put more spin on the ball. This can catch a player out forcing them to make an error.

Conclusion

The backhand topspin in table tennis is a cornerstone technique. By mastering this shot, players can elevate their game to new heights. Consistent practice and a deep understanding of the mechanics and coaching points will enable you to execute the backhand topspin with confidence. Once you have practiced this shot and mastered it, you will then be able to implement it into your matches through the strategies mentioned. If you can think of any other strategies using the backhand topspin let us know in the comments below, we would love to hear everyone’s ideas!

If you have any questions feel free to ask them below and we will be more than happy to help you out.