Increasing Serve Spin

I have tried multiple times to serve with heavy backspin and the best I can manage is to impart what I consider a medium level of spin. However, other players seem to be able to produce an incredible amount of backspin with motions that look as if little spin would be produced (the only backspin I have been unable to ever return was against a short backspin serve from a player rated just over 2400; I suppose I have to lift the ball more; that is the amount of spin I would like to generate on my backspin serves).

Also, is it better for the backspin ball to not return towards the net (e.g. ghost serve)? It seems like the spin on the ball fades as the ball comes back towards the net, leaving the ball with little spin upon receiving it. Also, it seems that if the ball were to have the same amount and type of spin going forward as to one backing up towards the net, it would act as a nice disguise factor.

Hi Bliss,

If you are measuring the amount of your backspin by whether it comes back or not you may not be accurate in your judgement.

If you put a lot of spin and the ball is moving fast it can still be effective but it may keep moving forward.

If you really aren't getting any spin, then think about the contact of the bat on the ball.  That is the key component to generating spin.  Make sure you are brushing the ball finely on contact.

The ghost serve is not the most effective thing if the ball travels too slowly and is easy to see by the opponent.

Take a look through our lesson on Serving Secrets.