Reading spin

George Unknown Asked 16 years ago

my problem when i play table tennis is to answer a good serve. I mean when a friend of mine which is 2-3 years older (15) serves almost always with plenty of sidespin. When i try to answer back his serve the ball flies away! i understand tha i have to "read" the sidespin and answer back with opposite spin. But i cant understand well which spin i have to use!
Can you please tell me some tips how to read that sort of spin please?!

Alois Rosario Answered 16 years ago

Hi George,

As you have found out returning spin is one of the most frustrating parts of Table Tennis.

The key mistake you are making is you are trying to spin the ball back.  The idea is to use your bat like a rudder on a ship and steer the ball back.  Just move the angle of the bat until the ball heads in the right direction.  If you try to spin the ball back you are playing across the line of the ball and it gets very difficult.  Try steering the ball back and see how that works for you.