The backhand loop in table tennis: technique, step by step

The backhand loop is the attacking version of the backhand. Instead of the flatter touch of a basic backhand, the paddle brushes the ball from low to high and puts heavy topspin on it. It has become an essential stroke: today's best players attack with topspin from both wings.

The good news is that the backhand loop is a compact stroke. With a solid backhand drive, you can pick it up quickly.

Stance and backswing

• Feet: parallel to the table or with the right foot slightly forward (for right-handers), wider than your shoulders.
• Knees: bent. Against backspin, bend more so you start lower.
• Elbow: in front of your body, as on the basic backhand.
• Backswing: bring the paddle near your stomach or a little lower, with the tip pointing at you and the wrist cocked inward.

The cocked wrist is the secret: it uncoils at contact and whips the paddle through.

The backhand loop, step by step

1. Read the ball: backspin or topspin? It changes how low you start and the swing path.
2. Load: bring the paddle near your stomach with the wrist cocked and elbow forward. Bend your knees slightly.
3. Lead with the elbow: your forearm swings forward and up, rotating around the elbow.
4. Contact: hit the ball in front of your body with a thin contact. Against backspin, brush the back of the ball; against topspin, the back and top.
5. Snap the wrist: at contact, the wrist uncocks fast, like throwing a frisbee. That is where the spin comes from.
6. Finish: the paddle ends forward and up, around head height, pointing at your target. Get back to ready.

Against backspin vs against topspin

Against backspin, your legs help lift the ball: straighten your knees a little during the stroke. Against topspin, the stroke is shorter and faster, almost an active block with spin.

Looping short balls over the table

When the ball is short, there is no room for a full swing. That is where the backhand flick comes in, a short topspin stroke over the table, often called a "banana flick" or "chiquita" when it adds sidespin. See our flick guide.

Common backhand loop mistakes

1. A locked wrist. Without it, the stroke becomes a flat backhand with little spin.
2. Elbow pinned to your body. Your forearm needs room to swing.
3. Swinging sideways. The path is forward and up, not across.
4. Hitting beside your body. Contact is in front. Move your feet.
5. A closed paddle against backspin. The ball goes into the net. Keep the paddle nearly square and lift more.
6. Arm only against heavy backspin. Use your legs to help lift.

Drills to practice

1. Backhand multiball with backspin. Your partner feeds backspin balls to your backhand; you only loop. Start with light spin.
2. Loop to block. You backhand loop crosscourt while your partner blocks. Count balls in a row.
3. Push, loop, play. Your partner pushes, you open with a backhand loop and the point continues freely.

Frequently asked questions