Identifying different spin serves & returning them!

Kia Ora,

I am a newbie to TT and am having trouble identifying the various types of spin serves and also being able to return them successfully. It is driving me crazy!

PLEASE HELP!

Melody :-)

Hi Melody,

Oh this is the hardest part of the game to start with.  The best thing is to watch the ball really closely.  There are a lot of things that can give away what is happening to the ball.  The first is the action of the server.  If they brush their racket from your left to right, the ball will spin off your racket to the right and vice versa.

Next you may also see a curve of the ball in the air.  This will give you a clue as to how much spin is on the ball.

Unfortunately there is no easy solution.  The first thing is to understand the basic principles and then practice against as many different serves as possible.  It may be hard to believe but it will become natural.

We also have lesson on our Receiving Secrets page that will help.