Low underspin service

Hey Alois and Jeff,

First of all a big thanks  to both of you on your prompt response on my previous question.

My question deals with return of service. I need to know how do I return a serve with the following characteristics:

1. Medium Underspin

2. Decently low trajectory.

3. Long service ( commonly to the deep end of the table)

I commonly encounter this service during a doubles game and the path of this serve is commonly along the diagonal of the table. I can never figure out how to return this kind of serve with consistency and accuracy especially becasue of the underspin, I just manage to return in 10-15% of the time in the opponent's striking region.

Waiting for your response.

Eric.

Hi Eric,

The best way to deal with this serve is to use a topspin stroke.  Because it is long on the table it allows you to swing at the ball.

Watch the Lesson of Forehand Topspin against backspin.  This is the stroke you need to employ here.  Don't try to hit the ball too hard, just concentrate on getting the spin on the ball and getting it consistent first.

The more underspin the more vertical your swing can be.  The less underspin the more you can hit forward with your stroke.  Remember however your bat must finish above your eye level to make this stroke consistent.

You could use a push but that makes it a lot easier for your opponent.