Third Ball

Strokes and Technique

Stuart Gibson
Stuart Gibson Asked 8 years ago

Hi guys I am having a problem with my third ball. I do a deceptive side spin top spin serve and they push the ball so it comes back very high with backspin and when I attack it I am only hitting the table about 60% most of the time going long when I miss. It is very frustrating because I do the hard work and get a bad return and don't take advantage off it enough. I am not very tall don't know if that would make any difference in the short high ones. Thanks


Alois Rosario
Alois Rosario Answered 8 years ago

Hi Stuart,

Try to put a bit more topspin on your 3rd ball shot.  Often that ball that comes higher is more difficult than we give it credit for.

Get yourself into a good position and then make sure you play that with topspin to give it a bit of dip onto the table.


Thoughts on this question


Ilia Minkin

Ilia Minkin Posted 8 years ago

I also often miss those balls. For me the reason is that the chopped ball goes back with my own sidespin that fools me :D


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 8 years ago

Yes Ilia, it can be a trap especially when you start to develop your sidespin serves.  Practice the 3rd ball a lot with a proper serve and allow yourself to adjust to the ball that comes back.


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