Returning serve

Table Tennis Service Return

Last updated 11 years ago

Edwin Lawisan

Edwin Lawisan Asked 11 years ago

Coach, I have difficulties in returning serves, like: - a fast, reverse pendulum serve, and when I try to return it, it flies .. I saw that the serve is not just brush the ball sideways, but he brushes up the ball upwards - a pendulum serve with backspin in front of the net - a really short, heavy backspin serve, that even if I don't hit it, it goes back to the opponent or towards the net - a really fast ball with a lot of topspin on it

Thanks, Edwin

P.S. Sorry for this bunches of question, but I really can't solve it .. And would you mind making a video of it, like, the way you should return it.


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago

Hi Edwin,

For the Reverse serve it sounds like it has topspin on it.  So flick the return or cover over the ball to counteract the topspin.  You will also need to think about the sidespin on the ball.  Try it with both your forehand and your backhand to see which feels more comfortable.

For the backspin serve, you need to open up the angle of your bat so that it is facing the roof. The ball has a lot of backspin if it is going back to the net.  If the ball goes into the net on your return, then open up the angle even more.

We have a course on Receiving Secrets that would show you how to understand the basic principles of returning.

To counter a really fast ball with a lot of topspin take a look at our lesson on how to Counter a Slow Spinny Topspin.


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