How to Play a Backhand Smash in Table Tennis

Last Updated on April 25, 2024 by Alex Horscroft

What Is a Backhand Smash?

Like the forehand smash, a backhand smash is an offensive stroke used to kill points. It involves striking through the ball at high speed.

Why Should I Learn the Backhand Smash?

While the backhand smash doesn’t have quite the same utility as the forehand smash (as it’s much weaker), it’s still an effective shot for certain match scenarios.

It’s better to know the stroke and not need it than need the stroke and not know it.

When Should I Play a Backhand Smash?

Should

You can use the backhand smash against any high ball, even balls with backspin.

I recommend using it for balls that land fairly close to the net on your backhand side, on occasions when you are coming from wide on your forehand. In these instances, you likely do not have enough time to get around for your forehand.

Shouldn’t

Avoid using the backhand smash if the ball is bouncing at head height or higher. If this is the case, you should have more than enough time to play a forehand smash irrespective of where you are in relation to the table.

I would also recommend tentativeness regarding smashing heavy backspin balls that are fairly low. The backhand smash has nowhere near the power of the forehand smash so you can’t use the stroke in the same way.

Why the Forehand Smash Is More Effective Than the Backhand Smash

The reason that the forehand smash is superior to the backhand smash is because it is more powerful and reliable.

There are several reasons for this. It begins with the hips. For the forehand smash, you have a much greater twist at the hips. This leads to more power. We see a similar story with the weight transfer between the legs. It’s far more pronounced with the forehand smash.

In fact, some players neglect both of these steps altogether for the backhand smash!

The next reason the backhand’s power is lacking is due to the stroke length. It’s far smaller and mostly in front of your body. This makes it far more difficult to get up to speed.

The final reason the backhand smash is inferior is that it’s sometimes awkward to perform. Raising your bat to shoulder height across your body feels unnatural — there aren’t any other strokes in table tennis with a similar motion.

What’s more, your paddle can even end up in front of your face which again feels odd and it can even obscure your vision.

How to Perform a Backhand Smash

Step 1: Build Up

• Feet shoulder width apart with bent knees. This keeps you well balanced and prepared for your smash.
• Your non-dominant foot should be behind your dominant foot. To open out your body and increase your smashes speed.
• Transfer weight onto your back foot. To begin the build-up of energy.
• Turn your body slightly. To further increase your energy build-up.
• Raises your racket from head to shoulder height. In anticipation of your smash.

Step 2: Striking the ball

• Transfer your weight onto your front foot. To begin your release of momentum.
• Untwist your hips. To further increase your power.
• Hit the ball when it is at around shoulder height. This is the optimal level.
• Strike downward and forward. Use fairly flat contact.

Step 3: Finish and Recovery

• Follow through with your stroke. This ensures you don’t lose any power.
• Return to the ready position. In preparation for your next shot.

*Optional. Bend your wrist slightly, and release on impact for a bit of extra pace!

Should I Jump for the Backhand Smash?

Jumping for the backhand smash really isn’t necessary. It is nowhere near as useful as it for the forehand smash, and even then very few players do it. Therefore I don’t recommend it.

Recommended Video to Help You Learn the Backhand Smash

If you want to see the backhand smash in action I recommend this video by Ping Skills. They cover all the basics really well.

Common mistakes

1. Using the backhand smash too much! Remember, the backhand smash is inferior to the forehand smash in every way. So only use it if you don’t have enough time to come around and play your forehand.
2. Twisting at the hips too much. Unlike the forehand smash, you don’t turn your body ~90 degrees. It’s a lot less than this. So don’t overturn.
3. Smashing too hard. It’s easy to become frustrated by the backhand smash and become a bit reckless given that it can be quite challenging. Remember to only go as fast as you can while maintaining proper form.
4. Striking the ball when it is too high. The backhand smash can feel a little unnatural, and the higher you hit the ball the greater this effect will be. Don’t strike the ball above shoulder level.
5. Don’t swipe across the ball. You should hit the ball with a relatively linear stroke motion. If you swipe across the ball with sidespin you lose speed and accuracy.

Next Recommended Lesson

If you haven’t already learned the forehand smash my next recommendation is the backhand punch. It’s much like the backhand smash but it’s far more useful! It’s fast, fairly safe, and I use it all the time!