Returning a very spinny serve

Hi Pingskills, I play table tennis quite a lot! But my biggest problem is that I almost never return very spiny serve! I try everything - forehand/backhand push and etc., but it is the same! In my last tournament I could lose because of that, but somehow I managed to win! Can you help me? Can you recommend me a stroke?? Best wishes, Konstantin Kanev

Hi Konstantin,

This is a difficult part of the game for everyone when they are learning.

The key is to not do too much with your return to start with.  Just use the angle of your racket to get the ball back on the table.

If the ball wants to go to the right, angle your bat to face the left and vice versa.  The same is done for the topspin or backspin serves.  If the ball wants to go down because of the backspin, angle your bat to face up to counteract the spin.  Against a topspin serve angle your bat down.

Of course they can put combinations of spin on the ball with sidespin and backspin or sidespin and topspin.  You need to adjust your angle accordingly.

We have a section in our Premium lessons dedicated to this area of the game, Receiving Secrets.  If you can, join our Premium membership to see all the information and videos available there.  I am sure they will help.  Go to the My info link at the top right of the site to see the options.