TABLE TENNIS NOTES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 97, 24 March 1939, Page 3

TABLE TENNIS NOTES.

(Contributed.)

OFFENSIVE STBOKES.

These notes are taken from a book entitled “Table Tennis” by A. Waite, and are continued from last week’s article:—

| “Tho following strokes should be practised assiduously, but perfect one stroke before passing to-the next. At the same time, be careful not to allow yourself to develop into a one-stroke player. Tho most important shot, and therefore the first to learn, is the forehand drive. To possess a sound attack you must have confidence in your ability 7 to drive. Con faience can only ocme with pratciec and plenty of it. ‘Top-spin,’ as in all other offensive strokes, is the secret of the forehand drive, and this is obtained by tilting the. racket slightly forward so that the playing surface points downwards. Do not forget tho pressure of the thumb as mentioned previously. If you are a beginner, it is advisable not to hit the ball until it lias travelled a foot past the edge of tho table. This allows you to get a good swing into your stroke.

“To make the shot, draw your arm backward and allow the movement to pull your body 7 round (without moving your feet), so that your left side is nearer the net. Now swing your left shoulder back, and at the same time bring y 7 our racket arm upward in a long forward sweep. After hitting the ball, carry 7 tho racket well above your head. You will find this continuity 7 of movement helps you a good deal and at the same time adds grace to your style. The backhand drive is made in exactly the same way, only, of course, tho arm is carried across and held in front of the body, and the pressure of the fingers is altered. Keep a mental note of which balls are suitable for these two shots, and watch for vonr opportunity 7 to play them. "When you are efficient at driving do not ho afraid to drive your opponents’ drives, fiend tho ball back as fast as lie sent it to you, and you will perhaps take him by surprise and win the point. “Body feinting is one method of deceiving your opponent. You move your body 7 contrarv to tho side to which you arc driving the. ball. This is not difficult to do, and with a little practice you should get some clever deception into your movements. Feinting can also he introduced into your stroke play. Make a pretence of playing a hard drive and at the last possible moment check the swing of your arm and tip the ball gently over the net. This form of feinting comes in useful when you have your opponent away from the table, and if your action is realistic enough the pointshould go to you. “In all your strokes endeavour to get an easy, natural style. Free yourself of all awkward, _ clumsy movements. A good style is not merely an ornament to y 7 our game—it is a real assistance.” Next week these notes will deal with defensive strokes.