Site Products
Ask The Experts: Junya Chen No. 332

Ask The Experts: Junya Chen No. 330

Butterfly Table Tennis Question and Answer

Question:

Should I close the racket angle after doing the forehand topspin shot. Is it different after a shot above and close to the table and under the table(close or far from it). My couch tells me to do it but I’m not sure I see it in the professional level. Another question: when you are close to the table should your legs be spread widely or be spread but not a lot? Again, my couch tells me my legs shouldn’t be spread a lot because I lose balance. But I see player like Ma Long whose legs are very spread. What is right and what is wrong? Thank you!

Answer: 

image004

This Ask the Experts question was answered by Junya Chen. Coach Chen is the head coach at the Canadian Elite Table Tennis Training Centre in Mississauga. Coach Chen’s response is as follows:

Hi Alexander,
 
Thank you for choosing Butterfly Experts to answer your question.
 
If you are prepared to continue attacking/topspin, or if you know the ball is coming back with spin, then yes you should close the angle of your racket. Technically speaking, you should close the angle more when you are performing a shot above the table compared to below the table since it follows the direction where the ball should be aiming (if you are under the table – you want the ball to go up more compared to when you are above the table, hence the angle should open more).
 
The distance of the spread of your legs should be in a position that maximizes your footwork reaction time, and you may see a difference in the distance of spread across professional players. Generally speaking, it should be at least as wide as your shoulders, but don’t go too wide that you cannot easily get back to a ready position. Also keep in mind it is also positively correlated to your height.
 
Good luck and have fun,
 
Junya Chen
Canadian Elite Table Tennis Training Centre head coach

Latest News

Derek May Bowmar Sports Interview

July 3, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Bowmar Sports Interview, Coach Taiwo Adeyinka interviews long time Sponsored player, Derek May.… Read More

Apolonia ZLC + Dignics 09C + Dignics 09C Racket Review

July 2, 2025
(by Bowmar Sports) In this video, Coach Brian Pace reviews and dives deep into one of Butterfly’s elite… Read More

Open Up Your Body

July 2, 2025
WAIT FUNCTION: Serve short backspin or side backspin to Backhand, Robot plays long backspin push to Backhand, Backhand… Read More

Kanak Jha and Sally Moyland are National Singles Champions

July 2, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) Kanak Jha arrived in Ontario, California for the start of the US National Table Tennis… Read More

Darryl Tsao – Forehand Counterloop: Butterfly Training Tips

July 2, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Darryl Tsao is explaining the benefits of the Forehand Counterloop… Read More

#1 Putting time pressure on the opponent with quick attacks

July 1, 2025
[Feature] [Special Feature] America’s star! Jha’s strong points #1 Putting time pressure on the opponent with quick attacks… Read More

Product Validation – Beginner Set up

July 1, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Product Validation, Brian Pace explain a fantastic Beginner Set-up is you are… Read More

Counter-Attack WITH Control – Harimoto Innerforce Super ALC + Dignics 05 + Dignics 05

June 30, 2025
(by Bowmar Sports) In the dynamic world of table tennis, power often takes the spotlight — but control… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.