How can I return a short pendulum serve?
Receiving
Merijn Machielse Asked 15 years ago
What is the best way to return a short pendulum serve?
On the training i train with a few big guys who use the pendalum serve and put alot of sidespin in it, I find it already very hard to read what spin its in because they do it fast and with extra movements..
When they do it short i try to push it, almost never ends well because it just goes to the right or left because of the sidespin..
How should I return them?
Jeff Plumb Answered 15 years ago
The main idea with returning spin is to use your bat like a rudder to counter the spin. This means you need change the angle of your bat depending on the spin that is on the ball. This is an important principle in returning serve.
You need to learn to read the spin that is on the ball so that you can counter the spin. You need to see the server's action, their contact and then the flight of the ball.
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Recommended Video
Returning Short Topspin Serves: Two Options
Returning a short topspin serve can be tricky because the spin wants to lift the ball up. In this video, we look at two effective options: developing an attacking flick and learning how to push the ball safely.
For the flick, the key is to be positive. Take a few risks, hit through the ball a little harder, and aim for a fast, flat contact. In practice, don’t worry too much about making mistakes as this is how you learn to control the shot under pressure.
The second option is the push. You can push a short topspin serve, but you need to adjust your contact. Instead of getting under the ball, come down the back of it more, almost feeling like your bat is moving slightly backwards. This helps counter the topspin and keeps the return lower and more controlled.
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Merijn Machielse Posted 15 years ago
Thanks for making a video response, very cool and helpful:)
The big guys arent as big as you guys are though haha.
Merijn Machielse Posted 15 years ago
In my eyes they are pretty big haha:)
I dont really know how i can let you guys know how, I live in holland and we dont really work with a rating i think. In competition it works with 1,2,3,4,5,6 and 6 is bad 1 is good. This is for provinces. The "Big guys" play over the whole country (Which isnt that big though:P).