The forehand chop* is a completely defensive stroke used for the return of the topspin strokes. If the defensive player wants to play a successful chop he will have first calculated the direction of the ball, the height of the ball after it bounces, and the type and amount of spin on the ball.At the same time, he must step backwards with his right foot giving the player time to execute the stroke and time for the speed and spin of the ball dissipate slightly. Changing the speed of the arm and the manner in which the player approaches the ball can give great variety to the stroke. Good defensive players, even when countering a good topspin, can vary the racket angle and use their wrist at the time of the contact to increase or decrease the speed and spin of the ball thus deceive the opponent.

The player is 2-3m (6.6-9.8ft) far from the table. The feet are bent and open such at a shoulders' width. The left leg is a little in front of the right leg. The left foot points forward while the right is angled slightly to the right. The body weight falls mostly on the right leg. The racket is placed almost at the shoulder height and the right arm is bent at a 90° angle. The left hand helps maintain balance. As the racket moves downwards and towards the front to hit the ball the elbow angle increases to 110°-120° angle at the time of contact. The contact of the racket and the ball takes place at waist level. After hitting the ball the right arm continues its forward movement and stops almost in front of the body. The hips turn towards the left to help the movement. The feet maintain their starting position but the body weight gradually shifts from the back leg to the front leg.

*Both the forehand and the backhand chop description will be done based on a topspin stroke return.

Source: Table Tennis: From A to Z e-book

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