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Fast Service

Serving

Sally Mander
Sally Mander Asked 15 years ago

Hello, Sirs Alois and Jeff

I was wondering if you could tell me how to do a no-spin (maybe a bit of topspin) but fast serve. Everytime I try, the ball bounces on my side, but not opponents side. Can you tell me where, how hard and in what angle I am supposed to hit the ball?

Thanks 

Alois Rosario
Member Badge Alois Rosario Answered 15 years ago

Hi Sally,

For the fast serve try to get th eball to bounce close to you on the first bounce.

The other important factor with a fast serve is that it needs to bounce as low as possible over the net.

Thirdly, make sure the contact is a flat and fast contact to get the ball moving fast.

If you focus on low, bouncing it close to you and flat fast contact the serve will start to zoom.

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9 comments from the PingSkills community.

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Sally Mander

Sally Mander Posted 15 years ago

Thanks, Alois. But at what angle? The ball has to bounce low and fast on my side (close to the net Im guessing?) then far on my opponents side, right?

But whenever I try, the ball misses my opponents side, please help!! 

andrew brand

andrew brand Posted 15 years ago

try hitting the ball forward horizontally as in not upwards and not downwards into the table which will make the bounce high. if you miss then just try closing the bat angle very slightly from flat.  contact the ball just above net height and dont stand too close to the table when you attempt this serve. hope that helps.
Alois Rosario

Member Badge Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 15 years ago

Hi Sally, definitely close to your own end of the table on the first bounce, not close to the net.  This will allow the ball enough time to get up and over the net.  Try using the string across the net like in our Keeping The Ball Low lesson.
Ji-Soo Woo

Ji-Soo Woo Posted 15 years ago

Sally, two things to keep in mind when doing a fast flat serve.

1) as Alois says, watch for where your first bounce lands...it should be pretty close to your endline.

2) watch the clearance of your ball over the net.  It should be low and skimming over the net.  If it is going high over the net it probably means you are contacting the ball too high and you should try hitting the ball when it has fallen further down.

If you can do both, you should be able to keep the serve on the table while maintaining pretty decent velocity.

Ji-Soo Woo

Ji-Soo Woo Posted 15 years ago

oh, one more thing.

There is no serve as hard to land in a pressure situation in an important match than a fast serve than lands deep on your opponent's court...it's just too damn easy to hit long.  So LOTS and LOTS of practice serves first (I know it's boring) and gradually introduce it into your matches.  A half-hearted long/fast serve will be easily dispatched.

Sally Mander

Sally Mander Posted 15 years ago

Thanks for the help everyone!!!!

I think i've got it  now!!! 

Sally Mander

Sally Mander Posted 15 years ago

Thanks for the help everyone!!!!

I think i've got it  now!!! 

usman rauf

usman rauf Posted 15 years ago

and ofcors dnt 4gt 2 be very very patient during match when u r goin 2 do such serv becoz smtims thr r sm momnts wn u js wana hit th ball as wldly as u can n if u do tht wth ths kind of serv u r doomd.
AmekunRaiane Rivadeneira

AmekunRaiane Rivadeneira Posted 14 years ago Latest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfDVXPrLVkg

use this video as reference

from my observation:

1. hit with the tip of your racket

2. and a fast swing

3. your distance from the table

 

hope this helps :)

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