Receiving serve position

Nigel C Asked 5 years ago

Alois and Jeff,

Thanks for all the good work you put in running pingskills. It is the first place I go to after matches to see what I could have done better.

My question is: I was having trouble returning long no spin or backspin serves hit to my middle or forehand. I worked out I was just a fraction too close and so stood back a little. Success I managed to beat players who had been giving me trouble with these serves. Now people have started to serve very short to me! (especially to my forehand) You have some very good advice on returning short serves but I need to be able to get into position first. I have noticed some of the pros actually start moving in before the ball is struck, Is this the skill I need to learn? Be able to read and anticipate a short service and step in nice and early to deal with it. I am sure the pros are not just blindly stepping in are they? I am a fairly short player with short arms so is this just a thing I have to deal with?

Alois Rosario Answered 5 years ago

Hi Nigel,

I think seeing the serve early is a key but also being active or mobile will help.  You don't need to be actually moving but your legs need to be in a ready position to be able to react to the ball wherever it is.

I think stepping back is the best way to go as moving in is usually easier than moving away from the table.

The next thing is efficiency of that step towards the short ball, making sure it is one big step with your right leg to move right under the table and as close to the ball as you can.