Returning a Tomahawk sidespin serve

Table Tennis Service Return

Last updated 9 years ago

Thanh Nguyen

Thanh Nguyen Asked 9 years ago

I have problems returning a particular serve from my opponent (right handed) who does this tomahawk like motion brushing the ball from his right. What is the proper angle to push it back? Or does an underspin push diffuse the spin?


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario Answered 9 years ago

Hi Thanh,

You need to angle your bat to you right to counteract the spin.  Then you also need to account for whether they have some topspin or backspin as well.  If they have some topspin, then you can come over the ball.  If they have backspin then come under the ball.

However, as you are saying, the finer you brush the ball, the less effect their spin will have on the return.


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