How to return third ball attack

Table Tennis Service Return

Last updated 10 months ago

Ardak .

Ardak . Asked 10 months ago

Hi, coach!

Recently I losed to a guy who has difficult serve with sidespin+backspin. It is very fast, low and semi-short. It is hard to return by topspin because the ball was low, fast, semi-short and spinny. 

It looked like this serve and return:

https://youtu.be/9QBxIs6Qyrk?t=12

My opponents serve was faster version of this serve.

He destroyed me with 3rd ball attacks just like japanese boy in this video. I watched this video live. A boy in the blue shirt was destroyed just like me, he couldn't return serves effectively. 

What do you suggest, coach?


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario Answered 10 months ago

Hi Ardak,

I think you need to push this serve as it is too short to topspin.  The key is to relax your hand and push the ball back as low as possible.  If the serve is going to the forehand side and swinging away, get your nose as close as possible to the ball to give yourself more control over the contact.  You could even try to use your backhand in this situation if it feels more comfortable for you.


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Ardak .

Ardak . Posted 10 months ago

Thank you, coach! You said:  push the ball back as low as possible

I understand that I need to push as low as possible but I didn't understand the word "back". Do you mean push closer to the net?


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 10 months ago

Hi Ardak,

I just meant on the table. 


Ardak .

Ardak . Posted 10 months ago

Thank you coach! 


Ardak .

Ardak . Posted 10 months ago

Hi, coach!

 In that video, the player who is in the blue shirt is currently number 3 in the ranking of Kazakhstan among adults and he won championship of our country. If you noticed, japanese guy won many points by 3rd ball attack. I am very sorry, I have very stupid question. How can such pro player can't receive effectively such serve? How did he manage to allow so many 3rd ball attacks? 


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 10 months ago

Hi Ardak,

The serve is very good and the better players also don't need a very weak ball to be able to attack effectively.


Ardak .

Ardak . Posted 10 months ago

Understand, thank you, coach!



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