Where to contact the ball for backspin

Aaron Lin Asked 7 years ago

I was talking to someone who does coaching about where do I make the brushing contact on the ball for (maximum) backspin.

I have always served the backspin ball by brushing directly UNDERNEATH the ball (where my bat is basically horizontal to the table), but the coach told me the contact should be made down the backside of the ball.

I noticed if i contact at the bottom there is much more backspin (ball is usually short), but if i brush down the backside of the ball there's a lot less spin (and the serve will usually be a long serve).

Which is the correct way? And if both are fine, which way is more ideal?

Here's an image i made referring to what i mean. http://imgur.com/a/MPxTJ

Alois Rosario Answered 7 years ago

Hi Aaron,

As you have found, brushing under the ball will give you more backspin.  Brushing down the back will give you backspin but there will be more forward momentum on the ball as well so the ball will travel more forward and is more likely to go long.