Learning a Second Serve
Table Tennis Match Strategy
Last updated 7 years ago
Mark H Asked 7 years ago
Hi all,
My first post here after lurking in the background for a while .
I have a question regarding learning a new serve. I'm a leftie and I currently use the pendulum serve using various spin. I'm now looking to learn an additional serve. My question is as a fellow leftie Alois what serve have you found( apart from the pendulum ) is the hardest for your opponents to read and play against or does it make no difference being a leftie ?. If that's the case then I would be interested what other serve would you or other players recommend to learn as my second serve.
Many thanks,
Mark
Alois Rosario Answered 7 years ago
Hi Mark,
I like the backhand serve because it spins the other way so you have options against a player that likes the ball spinning one way or the other. It is also a serve that I used when I was young so it feels comfortable to me.
Thoughts on this question
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Mark H Posted 7 years ago
Hi Alois ,
Thanks for the reply and info.
I was thinking a serve that makes the ball spin the opposite direction would be best. I've had a go at the Tomohawk serve which has the same effect. I just wanted to see your opinion before I started to spend more time on a particular serve.
On a separate note, I went along to my local club this evening for the first time. I was a bit nervous at first but I soon settled down. I played just the one opponent and we came out about level overall. I came away feeling like I gave a good show of myself but also learnt a lot about where I need to improve. It's quite a daunting feeling at first but they made me feel very welcome and now I will be a regular down there !
Mick Derevnin Posted 7 years ago
Hi Mark. The backhand serve will spin in the opposite direction. A lefties backhand serve curls towards the right. And the pendulum serve curls towards the left.
I use both and I find some opponents really struggle against my short spinny backhand serves.
Mark H Posted 7 years ago
Hi Mick,
Thanks for the reply.
I will look to start practicing my BH serve then !
Many thanks ,
Mark
Mick Derevnin Posted 7 years ago
You're welcome. Personally I find the backhand serve an extremely reliable serve that can easily produce all variations of spin. It has the added benefit of basically having you in the ready position after the serve.
Mark H Posted 7 years ago
Thanks Mick ????
Mark H Posted 7 years ago
I didn't mean to do the question mark ....
Gabriel Orozco Posted 7 years ago
As a lefty myself, I use three serves: Pendulum, reverse pendulum, and backhand, and I use a Matsudaira-styled tomahawk and backhand tomahawk serve against beginners since I'm still getting a feel for it. I see many people get confused when I combine all three, but more advanced players seem to recognize my serves immediately. I also notice my serves still lack enough spin to be effective. Alois, do you recommend anything to improve this? A lot of people keep telling me to brush the ball and have fine contact and such, but I don't find that to be very helpful. Are there any videos that could help? My wrist feels a bit tense when I serve, but when I let loose of the wrist, my serves are either weaker or they fail to pass the net.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 7 years ago
Hi Gabriel,
The advice you are getting is correct. You do also need to relax your wrist but this will take a long time to get consistent while remaining relaxed. We do also have the Serving Secrets section which has a lot of information on everything about improving your serve..
Gabriel Orozco Posted 7 years ago
Many thanks!
Mark H Posted 7 years ago
Hi Gabriel ,
Thanks for the advice .
I've actually started to practice a Tomahawk and backhand serve today . It's weird as I find the Tomahawk serve easier to get various spin on but harder to keep low over the net but I find the opposite with the Backhand serve . I'm going to practice both for a while as I'm a believer that mastering the dynamics of a serve can help you understanding how best to receive it. I could be completely wrong though .....
Either way the journey is a load of fun though !
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 7 years ago
Brilliant Mark... Update us on your progress.