Attacking a chopper

Setup

1. An attacker at one end and a defender who can chop at the other; the defender's end needs clear floor behind it.
2. If no chopper is available, a coach or strong player chops, or a coach feeds backspin multiball from the side of the table.
3. Clear stray balls before every set.

How it runs

1. Stage 1: the attacker loops every chopped ball to the defender's middle or backhand, aiming for ten loops in a row.
2. Stage 2: after three or more loops the attacker drops a short push; the defender comes in and pushes; the attacker attacks the next ball hard and wide.
3. Stage 3: play points. The defender serves; the attacker scores 2 for a point won with the drop-and-attack pattern.
4. Swap roles if both players defend, or rotate attackers every set.

Coaching points

• Lift heavy backspin with a more open bat and a low-to-high swing; let the legs do the lifting.
• The first loops are about safety and spin, not speed: a slow, heavy loop is hard to chop low.
• Aim at the defender's middle, where they must choose a side.
• Read each chop: a heavy chop needs more lift, a floated one needs a flatter bat.
• When the defender comes in for a drop, the next long ball is the one to hit hard, wide or into the body.

Common mistakes

• Hitting the first chop hard and losing it into the net.
• Looping every ball with the same spin and pace, so the defender settles into a rhythm.
• Dropping short too early, before the defender is far enough back.
• Getting impatient and attacking a low chop that is not there to hit.