Sidespin Backspin serve
Receiving
Geoff Clayson Asked 14 years ago
Alois,
We have a chinese member of our club. Using the penhold method he has a wicked side spin/back spin serve
how would you return this serve
Geoff
Alois Rosario Answered 14 years ago
Hi Geoff,
The key with returning any serve is knowing the effect the ball will have on your bat.
If the ball is going down and to the side you need to angle your bat in the opposite direction to counter the spin.
If the ball is going to the left off your bat, then angle your bat to the right and upwards. This will counter the backspin and the sidespin.
Try to play against him a lot. The more you face the serve the easier it will get to return.
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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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