Serve return tactics
Receiving
Cenk Akol Asked 8 years ago
Hi!
I was wondering about serve return tactics. How and where i should aim for returning my the serve to get an advantage on 4th hit.
Alois Rosario Answered 8 years ago
Hi Cenk,
You have some options on the return of serve.
If the serve is short you can push short, push long or flick. Your choice will depend on the type of serve that they serve. If it is a no spin, sidespin or topspin serve then you can think about the flick. If it is heavy backspin then one of the push strokes is probably safest. This will also depend on your opponent and what they like. For example, they may not have a good short push so then a short push is a good option.
If the serve is long, then the best option is to topspin attack the return to allow yourself to gain the advantage in the rally.
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?
Watch NowNo comments yet!
Become a free member to post a comment about this question.