Returning side spin
Service Return
mike crowley Asked 8 years ago
How do I identify which way side spin will want to bounce off my paddle?
Alois Rosario Answered 8 years ago
Hi Mike,
There are a couple of things to look for. The first is the direction the server's bat is moving when they contact the ball. If their bat is moving from your left to right, the ball will want to go right when it hits your bat and vice versa.
The next thing is to watch the flight of the ball. This is more difficult to pick up for the untrained eye. If the ball is curving from your right to left, it will want to go to the right when it hits your bat.
All of this is too much to process quickly when returning serve so it is a matter of understanding these things and then getting lots of experience returning serves.
We have a section as part of our Premium membership on Receiving Secrets which will help you to understand the principles better.
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Thoughts on this question
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Dima Shevchenko Posted 7 years ago
I have the same issue and I don't understand this. Which way will the spin go out if you see that his bat moves from you right to left with underspin. My opponent often makes sidespin which confuses me.
Have a happy day!
Marius Darian Posted 7 years ago
The way I think of it is like this (RH vs RH), considering you are the one returning: a pendulum serve (if the bat is going from your left to your right) will want to go to your opponent's backhand. A reverse pendulum, tomahawk or backhand serve (the bat is going from your right to your left) will want to go to your opponent's forehand.