Any tips on improving my sidespin service return

Aaron Lin Asked 7 years ago

is there any handy/fast way to mentally remember which way (left or right) to face my bat when returning a sidespin serve?

Because there is sidespin that spins both left and right and if i don't return it properly it just flies out to the sides and completely misses the table.

What i've figured myself is to face my racquet to the where the opposite beings the swing (from my perspective, lets say he swings from left to right, then when i return the push i will face my racquet slightly to the left to counteract the sidespin or else the ball would shoot off to my right side), I guess this works but i was wondering if there better ways to remember this concept.

Thanks!

Alois Rosario Answered 7 years ago

Hi Aaron,

Your method is as good as any to start with.

In our Receiving Secrets section we have a tutorial on Understanding Spin.  Then for our Premium members there are the Reading Spin and Receiving Principles tutorials that will really help you to get to the next step in receiving.

I think there is no substitute for experiencing returning the serves and seeing what happens.  The changes can be so subtle that until you have had enough experiences it is always going to be difficult.

Try to get someone to serve a variety of serves to you repeatedly.