How to identify the spin

Receiving

Patrick Abad
Patrick Abad Asked 13 years ago

Coaches,

How to read an incoming spin on the ball?


Alois Rosario
Member Badge Alois Rosario Answered 13 years ago

Hi Patrick,

One of the biggest factors is the experience you have had in returning these serves.

Try to watch the contact of the bat on the ball as well as the swing of your opponent.

If they come down on the ball then it will have backspin, if they come up for the contact then it will be topspin. If they brush sideways then it will have sidespin.  If they go from your left to right the ball will spin off to your right when it hits your bat and vice versa.

Take a look at our lessons on Receiving Secrets.  These will help you as well.  In those we go through with video and show you the effects of spin of different serves.


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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