The hook service

Tevia Sapire Asked 14 years ago

Hi pingskills,

There's this service commonly refered to as the hook or inside-out service. I haven't found much info on it, and would like to know your opinions on it and why u think it is not commonly used at the top level, except for players like Wang Liqin, Wang Hao and Lucjan Blatzchyk( sorry don't know how to spell it).

Note this is definately different to the reverse pendulum.

Here are some reference videos so you can see it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqp68XnD_Eg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJFNJXOD91c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zH6Ccc5T6c&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSfptz03hNQ( just look at the first serve)

There is a player I have played who uses this serve very effectively, it had loads of spin and deception, more than his other serves.

Do u have any ideas or thoughts on doing this serve as well as recieving them?

Thanks 

Alois Rosario Answered 14 years ago

Hi Tevia,

It is used a bit.  It is difficult to get a lot of spin as the use of the wrist is limited.

The difference between this and the reverse Pendulum is the elbow position and movement.  With this serve you move your elbow a lot to generate the speed, whereas with the Reverse Pendulum the elbow doesn't move as much and it is a lot higher.

Because it is a different serve that you don't see often, it makes it a little more difficult to read, but take the time to learn and it will come.  It is basically sidespin with either backspin or topspin.  You need to watch the ball to see which of these it is.   By its very nature, it has to have sidespin on it.