[Players who win are good at the Push] Satsuki Odo: “Understanding Spin is the shortcut to a good Push”

Satsuki Odo
September 2026 World Ranking: 11th

In the Push, I value the speed and sharpness of the contact point more than the Ball’s speed or amount of Spin

　The Push is often seen as a defensive, passive shot. But top players use the Push well depending on the situation, forcing errors, creating chances, and turning them into Points. By breaking down the Opponent with the Push, they bring the rally into a pattern that plays to their strengths. For Satsuki Odo, the Push is an important technique that holds the key to Victory.　

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　The Push is a very important technique in my own game as well. On Receive, I’m not the type to go on the attack aggressively with Chiquita or Flicks. I value creating my own pattern by adding variation through the Push and making the Opponent play, then looking to score with Blocks or Counter topspins.

　My ideal Push is one that drives the Ball in with an early contact point whenever possible. I think the best Push is a sharp one taken before the top of the bounce, striking from a high contact point. More than the Ball’s speed or amount of Spin, I focus on the early contact point and sharpness.