Definition: In table tennis, opening up is a phrase used to describe the first attack made by a player.
A player is said to open up when he makes the first attack (either a loop, drive, or smash) of the rally.
The opening up stroke is often less powerful and aggressive than a player’s subsequent attacks, since the player is generally trying to initiate the attack from a situation that is not suited to using a very powerful attack (the ball may be placed in a difficult but attackable location, or with heavy spin, which causes the player to be a little more cautious with his opening attack). The player is hoping that his opening shot will draw a weaker response from his opponent, which can then be attacked with power.
Also Known As: open, opening, initiating
