Returning a heavy backspin serve

Sanjay Bharadwaj Asked 12 years ago

Question regarding video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0cyWVJ3zUo

Hi Alois, nice video. I often use this to return backspin serves. But when I play a few much higher rated players, I find them digging into my backspin serve extremely hard (many times their bat hits the table with a lot of force after contacting the ball - is this legal?). This results in their returns being long but at the same time extremely fast and with a lot more backspin making it too tough for me to loop. Which of these do you recommend? I've tried it and its pretty effective I think.

Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago

Hi Sanjay,

Firstly it is OK for their bat to hit the table during a stroke.  The only thing that isn't allowed to touch the table is your free hand.

With the fast long push, try to take a small step backwards to allow yourself a little more time.  Then play a very vertical forehand or backhand topspin stroke.  This will lift the ball over the net.