Forehand Pendulum serve (with backspin)

Table Tennis Serving

Last updated 11 years ago

Rama Camatchee

Rama Camatchee Asked 11 years ago

Hi ,

I watched a number of videos on the pendulum short serve and understand the techniques . However , after practicing for weeks,  I am still having issues with it especially the upwards swing and throw the ball high up. If I do not perform upward arm swing and not throwing the ball too high the serve came good but not that effective. I also hold the racket in between the thumb and index. My wrist movement is good too.

How did all these professional players get started with this serve. When did you incorporate the arm swing and as I am right handed which foot comes infront ( left or right) whilst standing 90 degrees to the table (left side of table). Did they start to bend straight in day one itself.

I have another question, say the handle is 6 pm(South)and North point is 12 pm.  What is the best point to point of contact with the racket 12pm , 9 pm or 3pm (with the wrist motion doing a half circle) pendulum serve with backspin.

Regards

Rama


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago

Hi Rama,

This serve does take a while to get right.  It is difficult because you are brushing the ball finely to get the spin.

You should stand with your left foot forward and touching the left corner of the table.  Then the contact need to be at the end of the bat furthest away from the handle.  This is the part that is moving the fastest and so will be able to generate the most spin.


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Thoughts on this question

Alvin Samson

Alvin Samson Posted 11 years ago

i didnt know you had to brush it at the end


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago

Contact the ball near the end of your bat.


Jeff Plumb

Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago

I think especially when first learning the serve, you don't need to worry about where on the bat you hit the ball. Just remember the rules for generating spin. You need a fast contact and a brushing contact. Use this when you want a lot of spin and the opposite when you want less. And yes, sometimes you do want less spin. Remember it's the variation of spin that will cause your opponent the most trouble.

Now that we know you need a fast contact and a brushing contact to generate spin, we can ask how to get a fast contact. If your bat is moving in an arc then science tells us the end of the bat will be moving faster than the middle. That's why people say you can get more spin by hitting the ball near the end. Of course you still need the brushing contact. Personally I prefer to just remember the 2 simple rules. To get a lot of spin you need:

1) a fast contact and;

2) a brushing contact


Alvin Samson

Alvin Samson Posted 11 years ago

ok thanks.thought you had to brush at the middle!



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