Table tennis · Forehand
Smashing a high ball
Multiball high balls to the forehand: move into position, then smash flat and hard to a target.
Start / 6
- Time
- 12 min
- Players
- 1–4
- Age
- U11+
- Area
- One table and the space behind it
- Equipment
- 50 balls1 ball bucket on a chair or stand1 target marker1 ball net or pick-up tube
Setup
- CO feeds from the side of the far end, with the bucket raised and out of the way.
- Mark a target on the half furthest from CO so smashes never travel towards the feeder.
- Waiting players stand well back, out of the hitting line, and gather balls between sets.
How it runs
- CO feeds a high, soft ball that bounces well above net height on P1's forehand half.
- P1 moves into position, waits for the ball to come down from its highest point and smashes it at the target.
- Sets of 10, then rotate.
- Progress to feeds of different heights and depths, including a deeper lob that pushes P1 back a step or two.
Coaching points
- Feet first: get behind and slightly to the side of the ball so it is in front of the hitting shoulder.
- Take the bat back high, then swing forward and down through the ball with a nearly flat bat.
- Hit as the ball comes down from the top of the bounce; it must bounce on your side first.
- Keep the grip relaxed until the swing; tension slows the bat.
- Recover straight away in case the ball comes back.
Common mistakes
- Hitting the ball before it bounces on your side; in a match that loses the point.
- Looking at the target instead of the ball.
- Smashing on the stretch from flat feet instead of moving into position.
- Going for maximum power and missing the end; land it first, then add pace.
Say it: “Feet, high, through.”
Make it harder
- Mix high balls with a sudden low drive; P1 chooses to smash or to drive.
- Two targets, with CO calling one as each ball is fed.
Make it easier
- Lower, slower feeds that bounce close to the net.
- Smash at three-quarter pace and focus on landing every ball.
Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.