My Service
Table Tennis General
Last updated 14 years ago
Zhihao Toh Asked 14 years ago
Hi Alois and Jeff, I have a service which I'm not sure whether it's a backhand tomahawk serve and not sure whether I should be continue using it.Not: I'm a right hander.
I shall describe it. Starting position I have my legs wide apart standing on the left side (my backhand line), my left leg is in front of the right leg. After showing the ball, I toss up the ball (not high), and move my right leg to the front with my left leg together (with a small gap), and bend/crounch down and strike the ball with my backhand side of my bat. Usually this serve is fast and can cause my opponents problems as I can choose the direction of where the ball is going, except for some who can make a good return. This serve, mainly has topspin and sidespin combined, or backspin and sidespin combined.
Well, do you think this is a backhand tomahawk serve or just a weird serve? The issue is I don't use my wrist alot, just a little. And do you think I should continue using this serve? As it can cause problems to alot of my opponents if I serve fast, or stop using it because some can make an attack? Cause problems as in, unable to return or an error in return, and a weak return a high ball to smash.
I hope I don't have to give up this serve, because I wish it to be my personal serve in my game.
Jeff Plumb Answered 14 years ago
Hi Toh,
Using an unusual serve can be a big advantage. if players aren't used to seeing such a serve, it can be more difficult for them to return it well.
As with all serves, the best way to judge it is to look at the type of returns your opponents make off it. If you get a lot of free points and a lot of weak returns, then keep using the serve.
One thing to note, is that a particular serve may be win you a lot of points against one player yet be very ineffective against another.
From what you have described, it sounds like it would be worth keeping this serve in your arsenal. I would keep practicing it though so you can develop some variations. With practice you should be able to use a similar action and serve some balls short so they would bounce twice on the table and some serves fast and long as you describe.
Keep practicing and experimenting with your serves. It will help you become a better player and it a lot of fun in the process.
Thoughts on this question
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Piers Grey Posted 14 years ago
If you want to know more about other serves apart from the one that you described, then I suggest that you get the DVD from Pingskills called, 'Serving Secrets Revealed'.
This DVD teaches you all sorts of different serves, what sort of contact you need to make a higher level of spin on the ball and what you need to do when you hit the ball to again, increase how much spin you put on the ball.
This DVD can be helpful to you just incase if you ever feel like that you may want to (a possibility) change what serve you do to keep your oppenent off guard and unaware of what your doing.
I'm not saying your serve is wrong, I just thought you may need different interpretations of your serve to improve your game.
I hope this helps you