Sidespin serve

Bob Semple Asked 4 years ago

In the video 'Learning to Spin', your advice is to hold the bat face vertical and brush the ball sideways to create sidespin. However, when Alois and Jeff demonstrate sidespin they hold the bat face horizontal. Confusing! Can you clarify please?

Alois Rosario Answered 4 years ago

Hi Bob,

If you have a close look at the bat angle on actual impact you will see that the bat becomes quite vertical.  The end of the bat needs to point towards the ground.  The illusion comes because just before impact the racket is reasonably horizontal.  This allows for some deception of spin with the serve because you can alter the contact angle at the last moment.