HOW TO PLAY CHOPPERS Main tools: play the loop, play the drop shot or short push, and, most importantly, the smash.
Know in advance the racket surface of each defender and have a plan for that defence
Be very patient,
Pay special attention to the spin of their shot,
Attack the middle of the table,
Move the choppers in and out, not side to side
Make frequent use of drop shots and pushes
Let the depth and height of choppers' returns dictate the aggressiveness,
Recognise traps (if two or three power shots finish on the net or out change to a push instead)
Neutralise choppers' attaks.
HOW TO PLAY LOOPERS Very difficult to play against. Best way to beat: take them off their game, use aggressiveness to beat aggreessiness.
Initiate the offensive, serve short then attack first on the third ball,
Do not push to often, they are very comfortable with this shot,
Play frequently to loopers' middle. They are strong in the wings but not in the middle.
When forced to block do not block too passively, this allows them to establish a tough rythm.
HOW TO PLAY BLOCKERS Blockers are similiar to choppers their defensive style.They are patient volleyers who work diligently and purposefully to move you out of position and make force errors.
Do not let them establish a rythm, loop one hard and deep then counter, then loop soft.
Try only one power shot at a time, if he returns this shot then play next ball safely.
As with the chopper, be patient. Blockers are usually poor at iniating an attack.
Force or trick blockers to iniate the attack some of the time.
HOW TO PLAY COUNTERDRIVERS Counterdrivers are very skillful both forehand and backhand counterdrives and each at same persentage of time.
Avoid topspin rallies since this is their strength.
Use heavy spin on both under- and topspin shots. Counterdrivers are most comfortable with light spin.
If the opponent lacks good footwork, work the middle of the table. By forcing them to quickly decide between a forehand or backhand return, you can succeed in jamming them.
Try using chops and pushes to slow down the game and rally for position.
TACTICS AGAINST ALL OPPONENTS
There are a few general guidelines that hold true versus all styles of opponents. These include varying the spin and strokes and placing your shots.
