Fishing and lobbing defence

Setup

1. One defender and one smasher per table. The defender's end needs a large clear area behind and to both sides, with surrounds so no one runs into the next table.
2. The defender starts well back, three metres or more from the end line; the smasher stays close to the table.
3. Clear every loose ball off the floor before each set: the defender is moving fast and looking up.

How it runs

1. The smasher starts the rally with a serve, the defender returns a high ball, and the smasher then smashes at a controlled pace to the defender's forehand and backhand sides in turn.
2. The defender lobs every smash back high and deep with topspin, aiming to land near the smasher's end line.
3. When the smasher's ball lands short of the defender's end line or loses pace, the defender moves in to mid-distance and fishes: a lower, spinny, deep return.
4. Sets of about 60 seconds with at least as long to rest and collect balls. Four to six sets, then swap roles.

Coaching points

• Lob with lots of topspin and height so the ball kicks forward off the table and lands deep.
• Depth matters more than height: a short lob is an easy smash.
• Turn side-on and move with crossover steps to wide balls; keep the eyes on the ball, not the floor.
• Fishing is a lower, quicker topspin or sidespin return from mid-distance, used to change the rhythm before the smasher settles.
• Look for the counter-attack: a smash that sits up or lands short can be looped back from mid-distance.

Common mistakes

• Lobs landing mid-table, which give the smasher an easy angle.
• Retreating so far that the ball cannot reach the table.
• Backpedalling with the back to the table instead of moving side-on.
• Lobbing with no spin, so the ball sits up after the bounce.