Returning a heavy underspin serve
Service Return
Edison Leung Asked 12 years ago
Hi Alois,
I've been having trouble returning a short heavy sidespin and backspin service from a player who likes to place it to my backhand. When I tried pushing it short to his backhand or forehand, he would flick it back and end up winning the point. He is also very proficient at looping on both sides so pushing it long is out of the question. I've tried to banana flick (backhand sidespin flick) but the ball would go into the net since the backspin was so heavy and the ball was so low. He told me that I should try to contact the ball (when performing the banana flick) on the side to generate the sidespin and avoid the heavy backspin but I don't see how the physics would work in returning it? Is this the correct method to perform the flick against heavy underspin?
Thanks.
Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago
Hi Edison,
Take a look at the lesson we have on the Backhand Sidespin Flick. This will help you with it. Hitting the ball on the side will get the sidespin happening and also doesn't put the full force of the backspin into the rubber.
This is a very difficult shot. I would tend to work more on the short push and developing touch with it so that you can return a backspin serve effectively short. To do this you need a very relaxed hand and you don't give the stroke any forward momentum as the backspin will send the ball back as long as you have the right angle on your racket.
Take a look at the video response to this question titled Returning a Heavy Underspin Serve.
Thoughts on this question
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Edison Leung Posted 12 years ago
Thanks Alois.
I worked on controlling my pushes today and generating more underspin on them. Hopefully this will help me avoid getting attacked on the 3rd ball.
You and Jeff are the best! I've learned so much from you guys.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
mohsen dessouki Posted 12 years ago
do you mean that will keep the racket fixed without any forward movement ? how does the ball will go over the net ?
Mohsen
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
Mohsen,
If there is enough speed on the serve then you definitely don't need any forward movement. The speed of the ball combined with the speed of your rubber and the angle of your bat all combine to be able to get the ball back over the net.
mohsen dessouki Posted 12 years ago
does it look like a drop shot , not push.
Mohsen
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
mohsen dessouki Posted 12 years ago
Thanks coach. i got it .
Mohsen
Mayur Gajjar Posted 12 years ago
Thank you so much coach....:)
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
You're welcome Mayur.
Edison Leung Posted 12 years ago
Yay, thanks for making a video to my question. Been working on this for a couple of months now and my touch has greatly improved on pushing since then. Awesome coaching!
Horace He Posted 12 years ago
THis is one of my favorite serves to do. It works especially well against my training partner, who plays a traditional penhold backhand. However, I curve the ball off the side of the table, short. How would you counter my serve if you were using a traditional penhold backhand?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
Hi Horace,
It is best for the penholder to get close to the table and cut the ball off as early as possible. Take a step with your left leg across behid the line of the ball and then push the ball back.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
Edison,
Thanks for your kind comments. I am glad it has helped.
D K Posted 9 years ago
Edison-abotu physics working-
If you make a sidespin flick,you will hit the top of the axis of rotation,where the spin is weakest or even no spin.
At this place on the ball,spin has nearly no effect
Ujjal Chatterjee Posted 8 years ago
Alois, another important video by you: A good return is essential in TT and it's nicely explained if my opponent is serving a heavy BS serve.
Ralf Herrmann Posted 8 years ago
Great Job ! THX :-) I'am watching all your Videos, often for me the "simple things" i try to remember in training.
Ralf Herrmann Posted 8 years ago
Serves and Return are essential. If i had the option to pay for your support, i would do it... no question about it. :-)
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 8 years ago
Thanks Ralf.
You can become a Premium member which means we can then watch your videos and give you feedback about your game directly.
Ralf Herrmann Posted 8 years ago
This is a cool benefit for getting a premium-member, no doubt about it. :-) My Training-Situation is up to now, i'am training in a Hobby-Group, and by now i'am playing competitions about 3 years in this area. In my teen-ages i played 1st league in a upper area.
In my region now i'am "a top-player" listed by number 5 in single-player at double by number 8. The whole thing is, i'am training in an after-work-group and i'am training the noobs, it´s making fun.
When i get there with a cam, i think the noobs and the seniors will get nervous about it. It will take time and i will check it.
:-) I know a cam at training is a very good way to analyze, it will take time for the club.
Ujjal Chatterjee Posted 8 years ago
Dear Alois & Jeff, your all videos are explained in a simple manner & is helping me to make understand the beginners.
Thanks & regards.
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 8 years ago
Thanks for the kind words Ujjal.
Ujjal Chatterjee Posted 8 years ago
Thanks Alois & Jeff...
kathy mckelvey Posted 8 years ago
Always Look forward to all your cool videos. Thank you both Jeff and Alois!!