Serve Details
Serving
kartik A Asked 16 years ago
Sir,
In a match what will be the type of serves to do.
I find that i always go back to my backhand sidespin/forehand backspin serves everytime.
Can u tell me what should be our first two serves for good third ball attack?
I am an allround player. But my problem is when i go to defesive mode i am unable to force an attacking shot. i am always playing forehand or backhand pushes. How to solve this problem?
Alois Rosario Answered 16 years ago
Hi,
You need to develop a range of serves and then work out the ones that your opponent does not like.
To develop your serves you need to start to use them in a match situation more. That means that if you are playing a match that is not competitive try out your new serves. This may be against an opponent that is too strong for you are a lower standard that you you can beat comfortably.
A good combination of serves for third ball attack is a backspin and no spin serve.
You can vary the amount of backspin you are getting on the ball which will make it difficult for your opponent to control the height of the return and so make it easier for you to hit a strong third ball.
The other thing that is important here is that you need to spend a lot of time practicing your third ball attack. Practice it using your full range of serves because each serve produces a different return.
I think it is more difficult to start an attack after you have made one or two pushes. It is easier to attack straight away on the third ball. So forget about the push and look for EVERY ball that is only going to bounce once on the table and look to make a topspin.
Thoughts on this question
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Fred Unknown Posted 16 years ago
I think you should work on and perfect only 1 or 2 series or serves so they look alike and your opponent has more trouble to tel tem appart.
I do the pendulum serves mostly:
pure backspin: the guy often nets it or returns a long push that I can attack
side+back: this either nets the ball, sends it out to my left or permits me to flip it with my backhand
pure side: Very often goes outside, i am surprised when it goes it but I can still smash it as they often push like a backspin which makes it high
fast topspin: love this one, great for 3rd ball attacks since it returnes the ball high and without much spin.
fast top+side: same as the last but it also curves a bit, harder to return.
reverse back+side: send it to forehand, has less spin than the direct ones though.
reverse top+side: pops it so forehand which is great but dangerous if your opponent knows what you did because he will attack
I also sometimes mix in a backhand serve to mix it up and it proves effective. Even more effective if you serve it like Ovtcharov since youll also confuse your opponent.