Returning a heavy underspin serve

Table Tennis Service Return

Last updated 5 years ago

Edison Leung

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

Alois Rosario Answered 11 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.


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Edison Leung

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

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago

No problems Edison.  It is nice to know we can help.

mohsen dessouki

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

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

mohsen dessouki Posted 12 years ago

does it look like a drop shot , not push.

Mohsen


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago

A drop shot off a backspin ball would look similar, not a dropshot off a lob though.

mohsen dessouki

mohsen dessouki Posted 12 years ago

Thanks coach. i got it .

Mohsen


Mayur Gajjar

Mayur Gajjar Posted 11 years ago

Thank you so much coach....:)


Jeff Plumb

Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago

You're welcome Mayur.


Edison Leung

Edison Leung Posted 11 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

Horace He Posted 11 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

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 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

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago

Edison,

Thanks for your kind comments.  I am glad it has helped.


D K

D K Posted 8 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

Ujjal Chatterjee Posted 7 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

Ralf Herrmann Posted 7 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

Ralf Herrmann Posted 7 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

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 7 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

Ralf Herrmann Posted 7 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

Ujjal Chatterjee Posted 7 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

Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 7 years ago

Thanks for the kind words Ujjal.


Ujjal Chatterjee

Ujjal Chatterjee Posted 7 years ago

Thanks Alois & Jeff...


kathy mckelvey

kathy mckelvey Posted 7 years ago

 Always Look forward to all your cool videos. Thank you both Jeff and Alois!!  



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