Returning sidespin
Receiving
Raresh Paunescu Asked 11 years ago
Hi Alois,
I have a little problem. I was playing with a friend and he always wins because his serve is very good. He serves heavy sidespin. Someone told me to topspin it back but it always goes out. What should I do? How do I return it? I will be competing against him and can't figure out a way to return his serves.
Thanks,
Raresh
Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago
Hi Raresh,
Firstly work out which way the ball is going off your bat. Then angle your bat the other way to counter the spin. Don’t try to do too much with the ball. Try to learn each time you hit the ball. After a little while you will find you will get better at returning the serve.
Treat each return as a learning experience.
Recommended Video
How to Return Spin Serves in Table Tennis (and Stop Misreading Them!)
Struggling to return spin serves? You're not alone! In this video, we break down how to read spin, adjust your bat angle, and return serves effectively—so you stop giving away easy points.
What You'll Learn:
🔹 Skill Breakdown: How to identify different types of spin and adjust your return technique.
🔹 Common Mistakes: The biggest errors players make when returning spin serves—and how to fix them fast!
🔹 Viewer Q&A: Answering your top questions about handling tricky spin serves.
🔹 Train Smarter: Drills to help you practice and improve your serve returns.
Mastering serve returns is one of the fastest ways to level up your table tennis game. Try these tips and let us know in the comments: What’s the toughest spin serve you face?
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Raresh Paunescu Posted 11 years ago
Thanks Alois! Your answer really helped. I will be competing today. Probably against him so wish me luck. :D
Hey good luck… Let us know how you get on.
Ayesha Noon Posted 11 years ago
Is it good to use a block to return a sidespin?
redzuan yaakob Posted 10 years ago
Hi coach..can i do chop toreturn the sidespin serve rather tha topspin?
Oscar Moe Myint Posted 10 years ago
How about snap hit to the ball?