Returning backspin serve with new light bat
Receiving
thomas mcnamara Asked 7 years ago
Hi Coach, I had a lot of trouble returning a decent short backspin serve with my new whippy Stiga. Everything went off the end of the table. I did not adjust well as I couldn't believe how much trouble I was having. I had the bat open, but I probably wasn't holding it loosely as you advise. I was just pushing, and quickly lost confidence and didn't even try to topspin. I also probably wasn't low enough. I also struggled mightily against a reverse pendulum from a different opponent. On those I mostly missed wide. Should I try topspin on backspin and adjust bat angle on the sidespin? Thanks.
Alois Rosario Answered 7 years ago
Hi Thomas,
I think working on the topspin return is a good idea and yes try to adjust for the backspin and sidespin.
Also though, get the feel of the push return as this will give you a good feel for the type and amount of spin on the ball.
Keep the hand relaxed and importantly watch what happens to the ball after you hit it, even or especially when you miss the return. This will give you good feedback to adjust the next time.
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Recommended Video
Returning Short Topspin Serves: Two Options
Returning a short topspin serve can be tricky because the spin wants to lift the ball up. In this video, we look at two effective options: developing an attacking flick and learning how to push the ball safely.
For the flick, the key is to be positive. Take a few risks, hit through the ball a little harder, and aim for a fast, flat contact. In practice, don’t worry too much about making mistakes as this is how you learn to control the shot under pressure.
The second option is the push. You can push a short topspin serve, but you need to adjust your contact. Instead of getting under the ball, come down the back of it more, almost feeling like your bat is moving slightly backwards. This helps counter the topspin and keeps the return lower and more controlled.
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