Backhand or forehand topspin

Tam Eastwood Asked 10 years ago

Hi Alois, when I do a sidespin backspin serve to my opponent's forehand they push long into my backhand (im a lefty) and I always spin with my backhand into the net is the pivot better in this situation? and how do you know when to play a forehand pivot from the backhand? 

Cheers 

Tam

Alois Rosario Answered 10 years ago

Hi Tam,

Being a lefty, you can try serving a little more to their backhand side.  This will give them less angle into your backhand.

Keep developing your backhand topspin against backspin as well. It doesn't take a big stroke to make them stop pushing it there.  If the ball is going into the net often, make your stroke more vertical.  If you can be really consistent with the stroke they won't feel as confident playing the push there.

When should you make a forehand... when you have the time to pivot.  Do a lot of 3rd ball practice where your training partner is pushing the ball into anywhere on the backhand half of your side.  Then you can make the decision as to whether to play forehand or backhand.  The more you do this, the quicker you will get at making that decision and working out when to play forehand and backhand.