Forehand flick and short receive

Setup

1. Pairs: a server with a box of balls, a receiver at the other end.
2. The server serves legally and short to the receiver's forehand half, mixing backspin, no-spin and sidespin.
3. Keep the floor around the receiver's feet clear; they step in under the table on every ball.

How it runs

1. Set 1: every serve is flicked with the forehand, alternating crosscourt and down the line.
2. Set 2: every serve is touched back short, low over the net, so it would bounce twice on the server's side.
3. Set 3: the receiver chooses: flick a serve that is high or light, touch short or push long against heavy, low backspin.
4. Ten serves a set, then swap. Finish with points where the receiver scores 2 for a winning flick.

Coaching points

• Step in with the right foot (for a right-hander) under the table and get the head close to the ball.
• Play the ball at the top of the bounce; the earlier the contact, the less time the server has.
• Flick with a short action from the forearm and wrist, the bat a little closed against topspin or no-spin and a little more open against backspin.
• For the short touch, keep the bat soft, open and still; let the ball come off it gently.
• Push back out of the table straight after the receive, ready for the fourth ball.

Common mistakes

• Staying outside the table and reaching for the ball.
• Taking the ball as it falls, so a flick drops into the net or a touch floats high.
• A long swing from the shoulder on the flick.
• Always choosing the same receive, so the server knows what is coming.