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How to Master the Backhand Loop in Table Tennis
If you are looking at improving your table tennis game or becoming more competitive in ping pong, the backhand loop is one of the most important moves that you can learn. Use of the backhand loop is most beneficial when returning a serve that is either long or high at your end of the table.
Being a very aggressive offensive move, it is often difficult for many people to execute effectively, but learning it can help you to accumulate many points over time and make you one of the more competitive ping pong players in your league or even just amongst your friends.
In addition to helping you to accrue more points in your table tennis game, the backhand loop is a great way to give yourself the upper hand in any game of table tennis. When anticipating a serve, you should be in ready stance as if you are about to execute a forehand return. You should shift your weight to your left side, while keeping your left foot just infront of your right. However, you should stand a bit more to the opposite side of the table than if you were returning with the forehand.
To execute a backhand loop, your ping pong paddle should be held in front of you, behind the ping pong table, and just to the outside of the position of the ball. Holding your ping pong paddle just to the inside of your left knee will help you to generate some additional topspin on the return as well.
Keeping your other arm out off your side will help give you a better balance while in this position. For the backhand loop, it is important that most of your movement comes from the forearm. Your wrist should be cocked back slightly and your elbow lifted in order to allow for the right amount of force.
As the ping pong ball is coming towards you, while keeping an eye on the ball both your elbow and wrist should snap forwards, delivering the ball upwards in smooth rapid motion. The backhand loop may be a difficult move to master, but the repeated practice of getting it right can be rewarding not only in terms of the sense of accomplishment generated but also in terms of points and games won.
When learning the backhand loop, it helps if you can watch others perform this move as well, and practice over time can make you a much more effective player.
Charleston WV Table Tennis Club 1997