The Forehand Counterdrive/Counterhit

The Forehand Counterhit

The Starting Position

The Forehand counterhit is one of the most important strokes to learn when starting. Like everything in table tennis, keep it simple. Your feet can be fairly straight to the table with a little turn to your forehand side if you feel more comfortable. Your swing start position is with your bat beside you with the full face of the bat showing to the oncoming ball. The bat is at hip height.

The Finishing Position

Your swing is up and forward and should finish at an imaginary line that is drawn in front of the middle of your body. You don’t need to swing past this line as it makes recovery slower and throws you off balance. The bat should finish between shoulder and head high. There is no wrist involved with this stroke. The movement is mainly lower arm with a little upper arm.

source: Pingskills.com

The Backhand Counterdrive

Backhand Position

The Starting Position

The Backhand counter hit has some basics that you need to perform to get it right. Your feet position has you facing exactly to where you want the ball to go. Check out Jeff in the Online video. You can see that he is facing where the ball is going. The stroke starts in front of your body with your bat flat (Vertical or 90 degrees to the floor).

The Finishing Position

The stroke finishes with your arm extended, your palm facing the ceiling and your bat at around shoulder to head high. Be sure that the bat finishes on the right hand side of your body for a right hander or vice versa for left hander. Don’t forget to have a look at the video. It will help you to get a good image of what you are supposed to be doing.

source: Pingskills.com