Reading serves and returning it

Hi Alois,

The other day I played with an opponent who has a serve which has backspin as well as prodigious side spin.  He serves in the backspin action and the ball goes sideways after it lands on my side.  I am unable to return that serve.  Also the ball kicks off side ways once it hits the table so I get no chance..Please give a solution.

Hi Sujeet,

If the ball is always doing the same thing then try to adjust the angle of your racket to account for the spin.  You would need to face your racket upwards and to the side to counter the spin on the ball already.

For our Premium members we have a series of videos that will help with this.  Take a look at the Understanding Spin, Reading Spin and Receiving Principles that will help you.