Returning a heavy underspin serve

Receiving

Edison Leung
Edison Leung Asked 13 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
Member Badge 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.


Recommended Video

Table Tennis Video Tutorial

Push Heavy Backspin Serve

In a match you will come across a lot of short backspin serves. One of the safest and most effective ways to deal with it is to use a push. We show you how to do this effectively.

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Thoughts on this question


Edison Leung

Edison Leung Posted 13 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

Member Badge Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 13 years ago
No problems Edison.  It is nice to know we can help.


mohsen dessouki

mohsen dessouki Posted 13 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


Mayur Gajjar

Mayur Gajjar Posted 12 years ago

Thank you so much coach....:)


Jeff Plumb

Member Badge Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago

You're welcome Mayur.


Horace He

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?


D K

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

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

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. 


kathy mckelvey

kathy mckelvey Posted 8 years ago

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


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