The Backhand Chop in Table Tennis
If you’re like most attacking players, the backhand chop probably isn’t part of your usual game plan. You want to dominate rallies with topspin, not back up and defend. But here’s the reality: even the best attackers get pushed off the table. When your opponent rips a heavy loop or pins you out wide on the backhand, you need a reliable way to stay in the point. That’s where the backhand chop comes in. You don’t need to play like Joo Sae-hyuk to benefit from it – just having this shot in your toolkit gives you:
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A way to neutralize big topspin balls
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A defensive fallback when you’re out of position
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A surprise variation that breaks your opponent’s rhythm
The backhand chop isn’t about becoming a defender – it’s about becoming a complete player who can handle pressure from any position on the table.
Table of Contents
- Why Attacking Players Should Learn the Backhand Chop
- Understanding the Physics Behind a Good Chop
- Step-by-Step Backhand Chop Technique
- Frequent Mistakes That Kill Your Chop
- Practical Drills to Build a Reliable Chop
- Advanced Tactics for Using the Backhand Chop
- Final Thoughts: A Safety Net for Attackers
Why Attacking Players Should Learn the Backhand Chop
Even if you rarely step back from the table, you’ll face rallies where:
- You’re forced wide on your backhand side.
- Your opponent’s loop is too strong to block cleanly.
- You need to slow the pace to recover your position.
The backhand chop gives you an emergency reset button, keeping you in rallies you’d otherwise lose and opening up chances to counterattack.
Understanding the Physics Behind a Good Chop
A strong chop uses the opponent’s topspin against them:
- By brushing down and under the ball, you add backspin, forcing your opponent to lift the next shot.
- The slower return breaks their attacking rhythm, giving you breathing room.
- It’s not a “desperation shot” – it’s a controlled defensive weapon.
Step-by-Step Backhand Chop Technique
1. Get Low and Balanced
- Wider stance than usual.
- Knees bent, weight forward on the balls of your feet.
- Relaxed grip for better feel.
2. Early Positioning
- Move fast to meet the ball in front of your body.
- Aim for waist-to-knee height on contact.
3. Controlled Downward Brush
- Open racket angle slightly.
- Swing down and forward, using shoulder and forearm.
- Focus on brushing the underside of the ball.
4. Follow Through & Recover
- Finish near your thigh.
- Quickly reset to an attacking stance, ready to counterloop the next ball.
Frequent Mistakes That Kill Your Chop
These errors appear often in Pro Match Reviews – especially for attackers not used to defending.
- Overusing the wrist – creates floaty, high balls that get smashed.
- Standing too upright – makes you late to the ball.
- Swinging too hard – power isn’t needed, spin and control are.
- Not recovering after chop – leaving you open for the next attack.
Practical Drills to Build a Reliable Chop
Partner Drill: Loop-to-Chop Survival Rally
- Partner loops aggressively to your backhand.
- Focus on low, controlled chops with depth.
- Progressively increase speed and spin.
Robot Drill: Random Depth & Spin
- Forces quick adjustment of racket angle and timing.
- Improves your emergency chop consistency.
Shadow Drill: Emergency Footwork Reps
- Practice chop motion and recovery steps.
- Build speed transitioning back into attacking position.
Advanced Tactics for Using the Backhand Chop
Use the chop strategically, not just defensively:
- Chop once or twice to force a slower ball, then counterattack.
- Angle the chop wide to break your opponent’s pattern.
- Mix it occasionally mid-rally to keep opponents guessing.
Final Thoughts: A Safety Net for Attackers
You’ll still win points with aggressive play, but a reliable backhand chop:
- Buys time when you’re under fire.
- Turns desperate situations into neutral ones.
- Makes you a more complete, harder-to-beat player.
Next Step: Record yourself practicing backhand chops and notice if your returns are floating or loaded with spin.
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