Dealing with a fast serve to the body
Service Return
bertus bertus Asked 11 years ago
Hi Pingskillers!
Found out I have some trouble with the fast no spin serve to the body.
I know I should step around the ball but what is the correct footwork in doing so?
Should I step with the left foot to the left first and then the right foot a step backwards in order to get in position to hit that ball? Or is there a faster way to position myself into a good position to return that serve?
And another question I have about the fast no spin serve is how to hit that ball? To spin or hit it flat on?
Thx in advance!
Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago
Hi Bertus,
It is best to try to step sideways to return the ball into the middle. Even a jump with both feet at the same time is a little bit faster.
The other thing that you can do is stay is a wide stance. This will allow you to sway your body sideways if the ball is too fast to move to. By having a wide stance you are still balanced when you sway to the side because your centre of gravity doesn't go outside your base.
The stroke that you need for this serve is to topspin the ball. Because the ball is coming fast it will feel like it has some backspin on it.
Thoughts on this question
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bertus bertus Posted 11 years ago
Good day Alois!
Thx for the advise on this subject. Due to my hight I have a fairly wide stance by default. So I think I go for the sway option. But it sounds difficult to do and needs a lot of practise. But I'll learn it for sure!
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Give it a try and let me know.
bertus bertus Posted 11 years ago
Hi Coach,
3,5 hour practise did'nt cut it... :/ However I did'nt focus on this swaying technique all the time. But I noticed that when I get the fast serve to the body my natural reaction is to swing my right leg behind my left leg (I'm right-handed) and sway my body a little to the side. Do you think this way will do or is it worth the time to develop the swaying technique?
Regards, Bertus
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Hi Bertus,
You can move your leg back as well. When you sway you can also turn your waist. This will get you into the same position as swinging your leg back.