Desert Table Tennis Outpost
Mesa, Arizona
January 1996
Cheng Yinghua coaches Daniel Koscielski.
He covers the need to return to the backhand corner after hitting the forehand. He stresses a consistent backhand service return. He teaches Daniel a loose service grip. Finally he points out the key to forehand power is in the waist turn.
Cheng Yinghua teaches Daniel Koscielski to return to his backhand corner after finishing the forehand from the forehand corner.
Daniel serves from the forehand side and then stays there. Cheng hits a soft one to his backhand corner. Cheng stops to comment.
Cheng Yinghua: Okay. Turn the waist. Every time, okay, backhand relax (???). Every time you move you play always forehand play finish
(points to backhand corner)
always this you stay backhand. You don’t stay this way (pointing to forehand side). This way I play your backhand, lot of problem. You play (swings forehand stroke from forehand side) backhand, forehand finish, then you stay here (positions himself in the backhand corner).
Right? This continue to play your forehand (points to imaginary ball going to forehand) then (steps to forehand side) move, (swings forehand) play, then you come this way (returns to backhand corner). You can’t (swings forehand from forehand corner) play,
(leans forward looking a little goofy)
just stay here. Uh oh! Your backhand
(points to backhand side then contorts a backhand swinging attempt)
uh oo uh oo oh uh la uh la like this a one. See, because always you go this a way (points to backhand corner, then walks confidently back to his side of the table). Now stay backhand, go. (Daniel serves and Cheng hits to his forehand) Forehand, (Daniel misses and Cheng points to his backhand corner) go back here.
Cheng_Yinghua_Position_Daniel_Koscielski.rm
(Realplayer video - right click and select
"Save Target As..." to download.)
Cheng Yinghua serves topspin balls to Daniel Koscielski’s backhand. Cheng emphasizes that the backhand return of serve needs to be consistent. He say’s it’s okay to smash with the forehand (I believe he means the forehand service return can be more aggressive than the backhand return).
Cheng Yinghua: Right now, (Cheng stops the ball and approaches Daniel) try a little bit – I serve, topspin; you return serve, then play anywhere. Okay. Backhand consistent; okay? Remember forehand okay, smash.
(Cheng then serves a forehand topspin ball)
Right, yeah, I play by your forehand. Easy one, easy. (Cheng serves again; Daniel misses the return) Backhand, easy – consistent, always return serve. (Cheng jokingly addresses Rob) He’s a little bit shy I think. You know? Huh? Right? (Cheng serves again and Daniel returns a fast one.) Backhand, okay, (Cheng approaches Daniel’s side of the table) return serve (Cheng stresses by gently moving his arm) easy one, consistent. Little bit, just watch this timing. Right? Just, just consistent, not too hard. You play hard, you, you can’t return. Sometimes you lose the point. Yeah, easy one, just return. (Cheng serves again) Right, yeah, consistent, right. (Cheng serves) Right. (Serves) Yes! Okay, okay, good. Watch the ball. (Serves) Yes! Go, (prompting him the hit the ball anywhere) go, right. Easy, right, watch the ball, watch the ball (serves). Yes. (Cheng prepares to serve again) Don’t scared. Yeah.
Cheng_Yinghua_Returning_Serve_Daniel.rm
(Realplayer video)
Additional things to note: I'd like to point out a couple extra tidbits to watch on Cheng's serve. He recommends keeping the ball toss close to the body. He steps in with his outside foot in one motion along with his body and paddle.
Cheng Yinghua shows Daniel Koscielski a loose service grip. Let go of the paddle’s handle. Just pinch the rubber between the thumb and forefinger while letting the handle move freely.
Cheng_Yinghua_Serve_Grip_Daniel_Koscielski.rm
(Realplayer Video)
Though this isn’t a great example it provides a better close up
of how the handle is left to move freely:
(Topspin Pendulum Serve - animated gif)
Here's a close up of how the handle is left to float freely:
Here’s a wide view the Rob's no longer legal hidden service version:
ServeForYoo.rm
(Realplayer Video)
Cheng_Yinghua_Turn_Waist_Daniel_Koscielski.rm
(Realplayer Video – right click and select
“Save Target As…” to download)
Cheng Yinghua summarizes Daniel Koscielski’s lesson. He reminds him to use a short forehand stroke. He repeats the need to return to the backhand corner after hitting a forehand. On the service return, play a consistent backhand and slam the forehand. Remember.
Cheng Yinghua: Okay, that’s okay, very good one. Yeah, yeah, just you remember – forehand straight, not too big, short hand. Then, always stay backhand, never stay forehand. You play forehand, then come backhand. Always stay here, have you good chance. Return serve, consistent. Not too hard, backhand, always backhand easy, consistent. Forehand, slam. Remember, okay? That’s a good one. Better.
Cheng_Yinghua_Summary.rm
(Realplayer video)
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