There was a time when the smash, especially on the forehand side, was considered the most important shot in the match. Japanese and then Chinese players dominated with forehand hitting in the 1950s and 1960s, and often into the 1970s and 1980s, often using short pips. But in modern times, looping has dominated. When I started playing in 1976, you could almost classify players based on whether they were hitters or loopers, plus blockers and choppers. (Note that the terms smash and kill mean the same thing.)
Nowadays, at least at higher levels, they’re basically all loopers, with a few exceptions. Killing is almost extinct, except on loop kills and against lobs.
There will always be a place to smash. Most still hit into lobs, although many even bounce into those lobs these days. Those that do tend to play long rallies against good lobbers, because their loops don’t quite have the penetrating power of a pure smash. Against high balls that are not lobs, many still hit, but as you go to the higher levels they are increasingly looped. (There’s a reason for that – not only does the extra topspin provide more consistency, but it also allows them to focus on just one stroke – looping – rather than developing both a loop and a smash.)
At higher levels, smashing is often easier against higher balls than looping. It takes a lot of practice to really develop a good, powerful run, but once developed it is extremely consistent against weak balls. Looping is also more difficult for older players or players who are not in top shape.
So, should you develop a good smash? It depends on your ambitions, playing style and physical fitness. If you want to reach the higher levels, you should probably focus on looping, although smashing is always an option on higher balls. But there are plenty of hitters at the close and often elite level. Among older players, hitters tend to dominate loopers. In fact, it’s almost like hitters’ revenge: After years of perhaps losing to athletic runners, as they get older, it’s the hitters who tend to dominate. However, older players generally need to hit from both sides to be effective, as they generally cannot cover as much of the table with the forehand as they could when they were younger.
Personally, I started out as a hitter, learned to run and became about 50-50 between them. Now that I’m older I still run, especially against backspin, but once in a rally I find myself hitting more and more often. It’s just a shorter, faster, less physical recording. I’ve even considered going to short pips on the forehand or the backhand, or maybe both. I prefer the reverse because it allows for both options. But that’s just me. What about you?
#Murder #death