Sidespin Serves

Andrea Turano Asked 15 years ago

Hi, i would like you to watch this video from youtube and answer my questions, please =)

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC83GlpssqI&feature=related

take a look at the 6th serve and at the 7th serve. the guy calls theme: 1/3 sidespin and 1/2 sidespin.. 

1. What does he mean with 1/3 and 1/2 sidespin?

2. How to do those!? I think they have a lot of spin and after the first bounce they totally change direction! :) thank you 

Alois Rosario Answered 15 years ago

Hi Andrea,

I am not totally sure what he means by 1/3 and 1/2 sidespin.  I guess one has more or less sidespin than the other, but I can't really see it in the serve.

The sidespin is getting the ball to turn sideways.  He is getting a very good contact on the ball and the contact is fast because he is using his wrist well.

To get the sidespin, brush the side of the ball.  He is demonstrating the Pendulum serve here.

The reason they change direction after the first bounce and not straight away is because initially they have too much forward momentum.  As the forward momentum decreases, the sidespin takes effect.

PingSkills has a <a href="http://www.pingskills.com/store-serving-secrets-revealed.php"> Serving Secrets Revealed DVD</a> which covers the Pendulum serve as well as others.