How to know a ball spin

Buy Ogon Asked 14 years ago

What is the technique on knowing the spin of a ball usually from a service. This is one of my weaknesses especially someone serving from a high toss then angle of my opponents racket is partially hidden and made a quick serve and I tend to assume the spin of the ball which is really bad. Is there something like a standard return of a serve that works well from either a chop or side spin?

Thanks,

Buyog

Jeff Plumb Answered 14 years ago

Hi Buy,

This is an area where you need a lot of experience. Try to play as many matches as you can against as many different opponents.

Unfortunately there is no standard return for a serve. If you have difficulty with a particular serve, see if you can get a training partner to perform the same serve over and over again. Don't get them to change the spin. This will give you the opportunity to learn how to return that serve. Once you are comfortable returning the serve, then get them to change the spin slightly. Once you can get that serve back then ask them to mix up the 2 serves. Going through this process you start to learn the different types of spin your opponent is putting on the ball.

Give it a try and let me know how you get on. Good luck and stick with it. You must remember that even the worlds best players don't return the ball perfectly every time. They still get surprised sometimes and miss a return. Stick with it and practice, practice, practice.