Wide Serve Return

Dakota Castleberg Asked 9 years ago

Hey Alois,

I did see that there were previous similar questions, but not quite what I'm interested in.

(I'm left handed)

If a right handed player uses a pendulum serve and serves  Really wide and long to my forehand with :

Topspin - I believe a forehand drive is the appropriate response?

Mostly backspin - a loop -> preferably low and spiny.

What if it is half backspin half sidespin and the second bounce would be close to the side-edge? Because these are still over the table, trying to brush the ball for a topspin seems really difficult especially if the serve is low. But at the same time I am having a terribly difficult time figuring out how to play a more defensive return. What should I do for these medium speed, half side/back spin serves? Are there a few options depending on the situation?

One opponent in my last tourney had the match in the bag purely because trying to loop them was still too difficult and I seemed to have no clue on the correct forehand push technique and general angle for the return. Another opponent at my club tonight serves exclusively from the position I'm asking about and I could not figure out solid solutions.

Alois Rosario Answered 9 years ago

Hi Dakota,

This can be a really awkward return to make.  I think the key is recognising that it is going to bounce twice as early as possible and then taking the ball closer to the bounce.  This will mean that the corner or edge of the table doesn’t really come into play.  The ball curving away can also be difficult.  Focus on getting your nose close to the ball.  You will find that your control of the spin will feel a lot better from there.