Spin Reversal: Term Confusion

Thomas Kunzfeld Asked 10 years ago

Hi coaches,

do I understand this correctly ? :

When e.g. a topspin ball hits a bat with inverted rubber, the rotation of the ball is reversed, which means that it comes back with topspin.

When a topspin ball hits a bat with pimples, the rotation is NOT reversed, so it comes back with backspin. In table tennis terminology this is CALLED spin reversal, while actually it is spin continuance (the ball keeps spinning in the same direction), right?

Alois Rosario Answered 10 years ago

Hi Thomas,

You are completely right.  The term reversal though refers more to the type of spin that you are getting on the ball, so a topspin will change into a backspin when it is coming back but the ball in fact is still rotating in the same direction, just the ball is moving in a different direction. This animation by Greg Letts is a good one and gives you a good idea of what is happening.