detecting different types of spin on the serve
General
willian wang Asked 15 years ago
Hello Ping Skills team,
I am very glad about your brilliant and helpful work, I have learned so much by watching your videos on youtube.
My question is, how can I detect quickly the kind of spin created by the opponent on the serve? Like topsin, no spin, back spin.... because i noticed that the view when playing is front, so we don`t have depth view of the ball. I know that topspin when touch the table, it sneeze forwardly and back spin goes back, but there is some good players that makes me doubt about it, looks very similar.
thanks
willian
Alois Rosario Answered 15 years ago
Hi Willian,
This is a big part of table tennis.
Receiving serve is difficult initially. You need to watch the ball very carefully and track what is happening.
You also need to build up a database of information in your brain of what happens when you hit the ball back and where it goes. Watch not only the serve but also watch carefully where the ball goes when you return it even if it misses the table. This is vital information that is often ignored because we are too disappointed about missing the return.
We will be making a DVD on receiving serve. Until then, take a look at some of the past questions on receiving serve.You can also do a search on the Ask the Coach section for any topic of question you want.
Recommended Video
How to Return Spin Serves in Table Tennis (and Stop Misreading Them!)
Struggling to return spin serves? You're not alone! In this video, we break down how to read spin, adjust your bat angle, and return serves effectively—so you stop giving away easy points.
What You'll Learn:
🔹 Skill Breakdown: How to identify different types of spin and adjust your return technique.
🔹 Common Mistakes: The biggest errors players make when returning spin serves—and how to fix them fast!
🔹 Viewer Q&A: Answering your top questions about handling tricky spin serves.
🔹 Train Smarter: Drills to help you practice and improve your serve returns.
Mastering serve returns is one of the fastest ways to level up your table tennis game. Try these tips and let us know in the comments: What’s the toughest spin serve you face?
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Ji-Soo Woo Posted 15 years ago
That's the key...we all misread serves occasionally but you have to ADJUST. Easier said than done. If I mishandle the spin on a serve, instead of adjusting I just become more tentative - and that makes it even harder to receive serve!
When we need is a device that administers a short but painful electric shock every time you play a return tentatively instead of making reads and adjusting!