Backspin serve for a 3rd ball
Serving
Peter Garov Asked 12 years ago
Hi Alois and Jeff,
I have a little problem preparing for my heavy topspin when serving with backspin. When I make the serve short against my opponents they return the ball too short. That's a problem for me because i can't flick well. One of my friends told me to brush the ball more and try getting more spin and a little bit longer serve but still short. He also said that my opponent can never push me a short ball when my backspin serve is a little longer. What do you think?
Jeff Plumb Answered 12 years ago
Hi Peter,
The key to an effective serve is variation. Try mixing up your serves by playing one heavy backspin followed by one with almost no backspin. If you can do this and make the action look similar it will be much harder for your opponent. If they are really good at returning serves they still might be able to return the ball short. You can't stop an excellent returner from doing this all the time.
Your friends advice is good. The closer you get your second bounce to the end of the table the harder it is to return short as they have to hit the ball further. So this is a good tactic but if you get it wrong and the ball only bounces once on the table, they will be able to attack first by topspinning your serve. But as I mentioned above the real key is subtle variations of spin on your serve.
Thoughts on this question
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Jonathan Huynh Posted 12 years ago
how about a meduim low short ball. it looks like it is going to bounce twice but your not should? I mostly either flick it but i put a little more backswing or i push short.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
Hi Jonathan,
This can be an awkward ball to return. It is also a good tactic if you can do it yourself.
The best thing is to get the ball as early as you can and return it short if you can. You will need a relaxed hand and good touch to do this.
You can also try to do a flick but if it has a lot of backspin this will be difficult.
The third option is to push the ball back fast and long with good backspin to make it difficult for your opponent to return the ball effectively.
Jonathan Huynh Posted 12 years ago
would an agressive punch to the edge or the line do?
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
An aggressive punch to the edge would be perfect! The problem is that off a low short ball that nearly bounces twice, this is an incredibly difficult shot to pull off. I think it is too risky a shot. I'd stick with the options Alois has outlines above.
mat huang Posted 12 years ago
Lol
Thats a hard one.
But this is what my coach says- if you give a long ball, they could hardly return it short- except chop.
SO i think if you could make a long backspin or topspin serve they generally give you a long one. or attack
If not, then keep on pushing until he makes a long one
Jeff and Alois are right. FLick is risky with backspin