Don't recognize the spin on my opponent's serve

Lara Vandenberg Asked 10 months ago

Hi,

Sorry if this has been asked before but I couldn't find it. So here is my question:

I often can't recognise what spin is on my opponents serve. This happens especially with the pendulum serve then I can only guess and of course I'm often wrong. Anything I can do to reduce my error rate and keep the ball in play?

Thanks
Lara

Alois Rosario Answered 10 months ago

Hi Lara,

No worries, it's a common challenge, and you're definitely not alone in struggling with this. Recognising spin on a serve, particularly complex ones like the pendulum serve, can be tricky but with some practice and a few tips, you can improve your ability to handle them.  Take a look at our tutorials in the Serving and Receiving section of the site.  There is plenty in there to help you.

1. Watch the Contact: Initially, pay close attention to how the server's racket contacts the ball. The angle and speed of the racket at the moment of contact will give you clues about the type of spin. For instance, if the racket moves from low to high, the serve is likely to have topspin. 

2. Observe the Racket Movement: The direction in which the racket moves (left to right, right to left, etc.) can indicate the kind of spin imparted. In a pendulum serve, if the racket moves from right to left, it's likely to have sidespin moving the ball to your left.

3. Look at the Ball Flight and Bounce: The trajectory and the first bounce of the ball can also provide hints. A ball with topspin will dip sooner and bounce forward sharply, whereas a backspin serve will tend to rise and then bounce less forward.

4. Practice with Variation: During training, ask a partner to serve to you with different spins while informing you of the type of spin they are using. This will help you to visually link the racket movement and contact to the resulting spin.

5. Use a Safe Return: When you're unsure about the spin, use a neutral, safe return. Position your racket in a neutral angle (slightly closed) and aim for a soft, controlled return to the middle of the table. This minimises the effect of the spin and reduces the chance of making an error.

6. Experience: Ultimately, experience plays a huge role. The more you play against varied opponents, the better you'll get at reading spins instinctively. Don't get discouraged; this is something even advanced players work on continuously. Keep practising, and over time, you'll find yourself getting much better at reading and reacting to the spin on serves.