How to play against a chopper in table tennis
Against a chopper, do not try to win every ball with power. Loop with margin and vary between heavy and light topspin, aim at the middle, use short balls to pull them in and only hit hard when the ball comes up high. Patience and changing the depth win more points than speed.
Facing a chopper for the first time is usually frustrating. You attack and attack, and the ball keeps coming back low, heavy with backspin, straight into the net. After a few points, the temptation is to hit harder and harder, which is exactly what the chopper wants.
To beat a defender you need a plan. Here is how to beat a chopper in table tennis, step by step.
How a chopper wins points
A chopper (or defender) stands far from the table and returns your attacks with heavy chops. They win in three ways:
- Your mistakes: you hit the chopped ball without enough lift and it goes into the net.
- Variation: they alternate heavy and light chops with the same motion, and you misread it.
- Counterattack: when you send a weak or high ball, they attack.
Many choppers use long pips on one side, which makes spin even harder to read. If so, also read how to play against long pips.
The game plan
1. Loop with margin, not power
Against backspin, your loop needs an upward swing. Clear the net comfortably and land the ball near the end line. A steady medium loop is more dangerous than a big hit that misses half the time. Brush up on the forehand loop.
2. Vary your topspin
Mix a slow, heavy loop with a lighter, faster one. The chopper has to adjust their paddle angle for each. When they misread it, the chop floats high or dies in the net.
3. Aim at the middle
Balls at the body force the chopper to choose forehand or backhand. Corners give them angles; the middle takes angles away. Many points against defenders start with a loop to the middle.
4. Pull them in with a short ball
After a few long loops, the chopper is far back. A short drop (a soft touch near the net) forces them to sprint forward. They arrive off balance, return high, or end up close to the table where they do not want to be. Then go back to a long loop.
5. Pick the ball to kill
Only hit hard (a smash or finishing loop) when the ball comes high. On low, chopped balls, keep looping safely. Attacking the wrong ball is how choppers win most points.
6. Read spin from the paddle
Watch their stroke at contact:
| What you see | Likely spin | How to respond |
|---|---|---|
| Long, fast downward swing, contact under the ball | Heavy backspin | More upward lift, more open paddle |
| Downward swing but flatter, "pushed" contact | Light backspin or no spin | More forward, more closed paddle |
| Ball comes off the long pips side | Your topspin returned as backspin | Expect backspin, especially after a heavy loop |
7. Be patient
Points against choppers are long. Plan for it. Do not try to win on the third ball; try to win on the tenth. If a game runs past 10 minutes, the expedite rule may kick in, which changes things, so know how it works.
Serve and return
- Serve: long topspin or no-spin serves make the chopper start the point defending. Short serves let them push short and neutralize you.
- Return: many choppers serve backspin to start slow. Push long and wait for your chance to open with a loop.
Drills to practice
| Drill | How | Sets | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loop against chop | Partner chops from far back, you loop to the middle | 4 x 2 min | 10 loops in a row |
| Heavy and light | Alternate heavy and light loops against the chop | 4 x 2 min | Stay consistent |
| Long and short | Two long loops, one short drop, repeat | 4 x 90 s | Drop shot would bounce twice |
| High ball | Partner chops and sometimes sends one high; kill only that one | 3 x 10 high balls | Win 7 of 10 |
No partner who chops? Multiball training with long backspin feeds is a great substitute.
Frequently asked questions
How do you beat a chopper in table tennis?
With patience and variety: safe loops with different spin, balls to the middle, short drops to pull them in and hard hits only on high balls.
Why does my ball go into the net against a chopper?
The backspin makes the ball drop off your paddle. Open your paddle more and swing more upward on your loop.
Should I hit hard against a defender?
Only on high balls. On low, chopped balls, big hits miss a lot. Loop with margin instead.
Where should I attack a chopper?
At the middle of the body to take away angles, mixed with short balls to pull them in.
What serve works best against a chopper?
Long topspin or no-spin serves usually work well, because they force the chopper to start the point on defense.