How to receive short low spinny topspin serve
Service Return
Ardak . Asked 3 years ago
Hi, coach!
How to receive short, very low and spinny serve which bounces to my forehand side and very close to the net?
If it was higher, then I would easily receive it with FH flick. If it was longer, then I would easily receive it with FH topspin. Initially the serve is slow, but when it touches my side of the table, the ball bounces very fast, changes trajectory, gets very low which makes hard to flick. I can't topspin it because it is very low, and close to the table. I can't do swing, id est I can't start lower and finish higher. Pure horizontal swing is very risky because firstly it will go to the net, secondly it is hard even to catch with topspin with closed bat, because the ball changes trajectory and speed.I just blocked with closed angle, sometimes it worked but it was usually easy to attack. How to receive such serves correctly?
Alois Rosario Answered 3 years ago
Hi Ardak,
The push is a possibility. You have to have a very vertical swing with the push. If you can have a soft hand that will absorb some of the spin as well.
We do have a tutorial Receiving Short Topspin Serves for our Premium members as well.
Thoughts on this question
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Ardak . Posted 3 years ago
Thank you, coach! I understand you. I will try to learn it.
Is this soft vertical push the ideal way to return such serve? What is the ideal way? I will try to learn it too. Thank you!
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 3 years ago
I think either you can flick or push this ball. With the flick it is key to get the ball at the peak of the bounce. Even though it feels like it is bouncing low it will still be at a high enough point at some stage to be able to flick.
Ardak . Posted 3 years ago
Thank you very much, coach!
Ardak . Posted 3 years ago
Hi, coach!
In the video below, at the moment 6:40, I can't distinguish Ma Long's serve, but Lin-Yun-Ju's serve receiving attracts me. It doesn't look like push against backspin. Was that your suggested soft vertical push? Or is it completely different stroke?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNLDECqYFpE
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 3 years ago
Yes it does look similar. On this occasion using his backhand.
Ardak . Posted 3 years ago
Thank you, coach! I am watching pro TT matches about 10 years but have never pay attention to this stroke! Explored yesterday when you suggested it!
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 3 years ago
No problems. Keep exploring!
Ardak . Posted 3 years ago
My english is not good. I wanted to say "It was discovery for me when you suggested it!"
Ardak . Posted 3 years ago
I will keep exploring! Thank you!