Serve and ball tracking

Valerio Di Gregorio Asked 9 years ago

Hi Alois,

I am a beginner and I was wondering how to track the ball during serve. Should I track the ball until I hit it with the bat? I realised I don't do it but I can still make good spinny serves. If I track the ball I miss the ball or the serve is wrong. When I track it I feel like I am in the wrong position, I need to watch the net and the opponent to have reference points. This way I can serve exactly like I wanted. The contact is usually fine but I don't hit the ball with the fastest part of the bat which would be ideal. Also looking at the opponent and the table I am afraid I could give him information on what I want to do. Can you tell me what's the proper way to track the ball during serve? And how to fix any bad habit I described?

Thanks!

Alois Rosario Answered 9 years ago

Hi Valerio,

Tracking the ball all the way to the bat is difficult.  I tend to watch it till it gets close to the contact but Jeff watches it most of the way to the bat.

I think it is worth trying to watch it all the way as this allows you to track the ball better and will help you to track the ball better during the rally as well.

Do a bit of practice with this.  Spend 10 minutes at least where you are tracking the ball all the way to your bat for the serve and see how it feels.  It will take some time to get used to it because it does fell disorienting at first.