Understanding the Importance of Diverse Serves

Sarthak Kharade Asked 1 month ago

I've been playing table tennis on and off all my teenage life, and all these years i've had only a handful serves - backhand backspin, pendulum and tomahawk. When i play with other players, they use creative and tough to read spin or tough to receive serves, i think about it a lot, how do i learn new serves and what type of serves are a must learn to win matches, will appreciate if you list the names of must know serves and help me with tips on how to learn them.

Alois Rosario Answered 3 weeks ago

Hi Sarthak,

It’s great to see your enthusiasm for improving your serve game in table tennis. Serving is a crucial aspect of the game because it sets the tone for each point and can give you a significant strategic advantage. We have a section titled Types of Table Tennis Serves.  If you start at the top and work your way down these are in what we regard as order of importance to learn initially.

We start with the Pendulum and Tomahawk serves and progress through.  It is then of course a matter of making sure you find serves that suit your overall game. 

Tips for Learning and Mastering New Serves

1. Understand the Mechanics - Break down each serve into components: toss, stance, racket angle, contact point, and follow-through. Understanding these elements deeply will improve your control and spin.
2. Practice Consistently - Regular practice is key. Dedicate time to practice your serves during each training session. Aim for at least 20-30 minutes focusing solely on serving.
3. Use Video Analysis - Record yourself serving to identify areas for improvement. Watching professional players and comparing their techniques can also be beneficial.
4. Vary Your Spin and Placement - Experiment with different spins and placements to make your serves less predictable. Try to place the ball in difficult positions for your opponent.
5. Seek Feedback - Play practice matches focusing on your new serves. Ask your opponents about the difficulty level of returning your serves to gauge effectiveness.

Final Thoughts

Remember, the key to a successful serve lies not just in the variety but also in how well you can disguise and execute them under pressure. Keep practicing, stay patient, and continually challenge yourself with new techniques. Good luck with your games, Sarthak.