Backhand Drive 

The backhand drive in table tennis is an attacking shot played on the backhand side of the table. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to play a backhand drive:

1. **Stance:**
   - Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
   - Position yourself slightly on the left side of the table if you're right-handed (and vice versa for left-handed players).

2. **Grip:**
   - Hold the racket with a backhand grip. The most common backhand grip is the shakehand grip, where the racket is held similar to shaking hands.

3. **Ready Position:**
   - Keep your knees slightly bent and your weight on the balls of your feet.
   - Hold the racket in front of you, with the blade pointing upward, and be ready to move quickly.

4. **Backswing:**
   - Start with the racket behind your body, around hip height.
   - Rotate your hips and shoulders to face the side of the table where you want to play the shot.
   - Bend your elbow and bring the racket back.

5. **Contact Point:**
   - As the ball approaches, step forward with your front foot, leading with your hips.
   - Make contact with the ball at the front of your body, usually around hip or waist height.

6. **Follow Through:**
   - After hitting the ball, extend your arm forward, and follow through with your wrist snapping slightly.
   - The follow-through should be a smooth and controlled motion.

7. **Weight Transfer:**
   - Transfer your weight from your back foot to your front foot during the shot to add power and control.

8. **Footwork:**
   - Be quick on your feet. Use small quick steps to adjust your position and get into the best stance for each shot.

9. **Practice:**
   - Practice the backhand drive with a partner or against a wall to improve your timing, control, and consistency.

10. **Focus on Technique:**
    - Pay attention to your grip, footwork, and body positioning. A good backhand drive requires a combination of these elements.

Remember, practice is key to improving your table tennis skills. Work on your backhand drive regularly to develop better control and precision. Additionally, try to incorporate variations in spin and placement to keep your opponents guessing.

Backhand Topspin Loop

The backhand topspin loop is an advanced and aggressive shot in table tennis that involves imparting topspin on the ball with a looping motion. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to execute a backhand topspin loop:

1. **Stance and Grip:**
   - Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, and knees slightly bent.
   - Hold the racket with a backhand grip, which is often a slight modification of the shakehand grip.

2. **Ready Position:**
   - Be in a ready position with your weight on the balls of your feet.
   - Keep your racket in front of you at about chest height, ready to make a quick and dynamic movement.

3. **Backswing:**
   - Start with the racket behind your body, around hip height or slightly lower.
   - Rotate your hips and shoulders to face the side of the table where you want to play the shot.
   - Bend your elbow and bring the racket back, preparing for a full swing.

4. **Footwork:**
   - Use quick and agile footwork to position yourself properly.
   - Step forward with your front foot as you begin the stroke to transfer your weight.

5. **Body Rotation:**
   - Rotate your hips and shoulders backward during the backswing.
   - As you initiate the stroke, rotate your hips and shoulders forward, bringing the racket across your body.

6. **Contact Point:**
   - The ideal contact point for a backhand topspin loop is slightly in front of your body and above the table.
   - Use the wrist to generate topspin, brushing the ball upward and forward.

7. **Follow Through:**
   - After making contact with the ball, continue the swing in an upward and forward direction.
   - The follow-through should be a smooth and controlled motion, with the racket finishing high.

8. **Weight Transfer:**
   - Transfer your weight from the back foot to the front foot during the stroke to maximize power and control.

9. **Practice with a Partner or Robot:**
   - Work on the backhand topspin loop with a practice partner or a table tennis robot.
   - Focus on consistency, spin, and placement.

10. **Variations:**
    - Experiment with different amounts of topspin and placement to keep your opponents guessing.
    - Practice adjusting the angle of your racket to control the trajectory of the ball.

Remember that mastering the backhand topspin loop takes time and consistent practice. Start with controlled, slower movements and gradually increase the speed and spin as you become more comfortable with the technique. Video analysis or guidance from a coach can also be valuable for refining your form.