Side Spin Serves

Wesley Sanders Asked 12 years ago

I just purchased your instructional DVD on serving, which is very informative. I am experimenting with side spin pendulum serves. You video suggests making 80% of serves short ones, but whenever I try to impart a lot of sidespin, it always turns into a long serve. Is there some secret to generating a lot of side spin and still get the ball to bounce twice before going off the end of the table?

Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago

Hi Wesley,

I am glad that you are finding the DVD useful.

The key to getting the ball short with spin is the contact.  The faster you swing the finer you need to make the contact to still get the ball short. If you contact the ball completely flat and fast it will fly into the back barrier.  

So start by getting the swing fast and then experiment with trying the get a finer and finer contact on the ball.  I find this is easier to learn while you are standing away from the table. We show how to practice away from the table in the DVD.  As you get the feel of the contact with the fast swing you can move closer to the table and give it a try.