Serve for the 3rd ball attack
Serving
Grenville Pereira Asked 12 years ago
Hi Alois
I noticed that as I started to play better players , I am getting less opportunities in the match to execute the 3rd ball attack.
The things I observe for my serves are
1) Short Backspin - For the short backspin serve the opponents gently push the ball and mostly I have to again push the ball back.
2) Short TopSpin serve - For this serve I get a chance sometimes to make the 3rd ball but mostly if my opponents see it coming they flick the ball.
3) Long serves - They are able to block or return the ball quite low and I end up with a backhand counterhit or a slow forehand topspin.
One thing i noticed that unless I am able to trick the opponent in the serve into giving a loose / slightly high return I am unable to pivot and make the 3rd ball attack however it does not happen too much with higher level players. Can you please let me know if there is anything else I am missing out on , so that I could get more chances to make the 3rd ball attack in matches.
Thank You
Regards
Grenville
Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago
Hi Grenville,
It sounds like you are progressing your serves well. As you keep improving your serves, you will gain further advantages against better players. It is really a matter of keeping on working with your serves and getting more spin, more variation and more options of placement with a similar swing. This will give you better deception on the serves.
At the top level they are only looking for a slight advantage to gain the 3rd ball opportunity or gain the slight ascendancy in the rally.
Your serves will progress just like the rest of your game, the more your practice them.
Thoughts on this question
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douglas harley Posted 12 years ago
one thing that i have found very helpful to win a lot of points from serve, either because they cannot return it, or they give a loose return allowing for a strong 3rd ball attack, is to vary my serves, while trying to keep the exact same starting position/toss/action. so, i will first give them a high-toss *HEAVY* underspin ball, and then on the very next serve i will give them a high-toss no-spin ball with extremely similar action, and same height/depth. almost everyone will either float the second ball 4 feet past the end of the table, or pop it up for an easy smash. then, to keep em guessing, i will alternate giving them two of same balls, or switching the order, or every once in a while throwing in a long fast serve with same high-toss and action, so they cannot groove on a pattern. the ultimate keys of successful serving i think are: single generic action with subtle difference to generate vastly-different spins/paces, varying the type of spin in a calculated manner.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
Well said Douglas.
nuuruddin soogund Posted 12 years ago
i got a problem in removein full spin ball,, can u help m
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
Hi Nuuruddin,
When returning try to have a relaxed hand and grip on the bat. This will absorb some of the spin. Watch the contact of the serve carefully so that you can get as much information as possible as to the type of spin on the ball.
We have a Course on Receiving Secrets that will show you the finer points of how to return spin serves.
Atanas Atanasov Posted 12 years ago
Another thing you can do Grenville, if you want a long is to serve half long. That way your opponent won't be able to make a strong attack and you have the chance for making it.
Grenville Pereira Posted 12 years ago
Hi All
Thanks for the valuable information and advice.
Yes suttle changes in serve like serving a nospin or less spin after a heavy backspin , gets an easier return from the opponent.
Even a surprising long serve once in a while , i found good. Need to try out the half long serve as well