Short backspin serve

Mantas Pocius Asked 15 years ago

Hi coach,

What is the most important thing with short backspin serve, when trying to make the ball come back? It looks like that I put a lot of spin on the ball, but it still won't come back, or only stops. Maybe the problem could be that most of the time ball's second bounce is just on the endline (so it's almost half long, and fast)?

Are there any basics when trying to use the tip of the bat when serving? When I play strokes everything is okey, especially with bachand topspin, but when it's time to serve with forehand side, i always hit the ball in the middle of the bat or a little closer to the tip.

Alois Rosario Answered 15 years ago

Hi Mantas,

To get more spin or your serve you can hit it closer to the end of the bat.  This part of the bat is moving faster so will be able to generate more spin.

Don't be afraid to miss the ball a few times past the end of your bat.  This can be frustrating but it will also give you a better chance of learning where the end of your bat is when serving.

Don't worry too much is the ball is not coming back towards you as long as you are getting a lot of spin on the ball.  If you want the effect try slowing the serve down a little and it will come back toards you easier because it has less forward momentum but it probably won't have as much spin.