Learning To Spin

I was surprised that we are advised to try different spins away from the table.  That seems like a good idea, as a table can "put you on the spot" so to speak.  I'll go try it now.  Thanks.

Let me know how it works for you.

Hi Alois,

I'm practicing my Tomahawk serve away from the Table and brushing the ball naturally with sidespin. First, I'm holding the bat with the proper grip and simply swinging it with a loose wrist and watching my swinging action without the ball. Once I started feeling comfortable with the swing, I tossed the ball and hit it with maximum fine contact while maintaining that same swing action. Some balls curved and spun well, others not so much. Whenever I saw the contact on the ball was off, I knew that's when the ball didn't curve and spin well. When practicing away from the table, is this what I'm supposed to be thinking? Also, how much should I practice away from the table before I can spin the ball with fine contact without losing speed? Will it happen automatically just by practicing this without thinking or should I keep focusing this hard while practicing?

Hi Esteban,

Yes you are on the right track.  You don't need to do this for long.  You can try it on the table as well.  Keep changing from the table and away from the table if you feel you are not getting the action or the contact correct.

Ok thanks Mr. Rosario.

which serve is the most effective serve? 

A serve that is troublesome for your opponent at the time.  That will change for each player you play and may even change during the match.

I'm confused by the clockface analogy at the beginning of this video. What does 1 o'clock mean when your racket is horizontal and tilted-doe this presume that the racket is upright and the top of the blade is upward at 12 o'clock?

and are these suggestions for the forehand serve only? 

Also, what is the reason we hit it in this area? does it produce more spin at 1'o'clock? if so, why?

Hi Jason,

It can be a bit confusing as we are trying to make a 3D image into 2D.  

Try to think of the clock face changing with where you have the bat and which direction you are wanting to hit the ball as well.

Hitting it in these positions generates the type of spin we are wanting such as the backspin, sidespin and topspin.

ok, so it is the ball that you are comparing to a clock-face, not the paddle-face. Thank you.

It makes sense now.

This video's very informative on how to create spin.  Is there another on how to return different types of side spin?  I have in mind especially combinations of side spin.  Too many time I've tried to return a side spin ball and it's gone off my paddle to the right or left, not touching the table.  There must be a simple formula to return side spinning balls that I just haven't stumbled upon or learned yet.  Thanks.  Judy Whorton  

Hi Judy.  Glad you liked this one.

For returning serves take a look through Receiving Secrets especially Understanding Spin, Reading Spin and Receiving Principles.

Learning to spin your serves is very important.  Placement of the serve is also important.  The type of spin and placement could lead to certain returns and if you are prepared for those you will have an advantage. 

Hi Alois,

Very interesting to learn something very new to me. Although I cant spin the ball like you do, but I keep practising alot of them..  Maybe i need a much better bat?  I am using very ordinary cheap bat.

@Fikau, yes if you can't generate any spin with your bat it may be worth investing in something a little better. It completely changes the game when you have a decent bat.

Where is the better spot on the bat to generate a better spin?

And what side of the bat is better to do servings, the red one or the black one?

Hi Walter the red or black doesn't matter at all unless the rubbers are different types.

The leading edge is usually better spot for generating more spin.  So for the topspin it would be the top area of the bat.

Hi Walter,

Further to that take a look at this lesson on the contact point for maximum spin.

Great video, although so very complexed at this stage of learning for me. Hopefully with time I will have better ability to apply all of the spin variations!   Thank you both.

Aloise & Jeff, Thank you so much for this wonderful video on how to generate different spin serves.

Glad you like it Ujjal.

hello, request for video serving and attack, what serve should be use for attacking using backhand and forehand.by the way thank you.

Hi,

We have some advice in the tutorial on 3rd Ball strategy.

I play with a ''regular'' cheap bat Kettler all plastic, how much should i invest to get a better bat , for example i ordered a Stiga Toledo costing 15 uscy.

Will i see an huge or little improvement. My opponent use a $ 150 uscy one ...i guess this a factor why he beats me regularly.

N.B. your videos are just fantastic , well done , very instructive.

Hi Robert,

Glad you are looking the site.

Re a bat I think getting something the next step up will help.  Don't need the $150 but maybe the $60 to $70 level so that it has reasonable rubber.  We have the PingSkills Rook.

Hey guys, where can I get a 2 color ball like you use in the video? I want something to help me easily distinguish how much and what kind of spin I am getting on the ball when practicing my serve. My initial google searches have come up empty.

I suppose i coukd color a ball with a marker, but I don’t want it to mark up my bat or table. 

Thanks!

Hi Matt,

We just colour the ball with a Permanent Marker.  It doesn't rub off on the rubber or table.  It is the simplest way to do it.

Perfect, I’ll try that out! Thanks!

Great video sir.

Thanks 

You're welcome Pranjal. This is one of my favourite videos because of the fun challenges :)