In defence of weaker serves

Strategy

Jonas Falter
Jonas Falter Asked 8 years ago

Having played my first few competitive matches over the last few months I keep thinking about serving strategy and in particular on the usefulness of low spin serves at the lower amateur level. 

 
When learning how to serve it seems that the simple equation at the beginning is: More spin = Better Serve. 
 
However, the obvious next problem here is that this also equals: : More spin coming back to you. 
 
Returning a decent backspin serve with a push is relatively easy but then playing a decent third ball attack after a strong push is not all that easy for me.
 
Does it then make sense for me to focus less on getting a lot of backspin on the serves and instead more on keeping them short and low? Providing that my opponent doesn't like to flip, I should then be set up with an easier third ball? And I can then save the spinnier serves for other times in the game to surprise my opponent. 
 
Feedback appreciated :)
 

Alois Rosario
Member Badge Alois Rosario Answered 8 years ago

Hi Jonas,

If you are finding that by putting more spin that you are struggling with the 3rd ball then you are completely right to back off on the spin and focus on the placement and keeping it low.

It is always about what works in a particular situation rather than doing the best serve that you know.

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