Third Ball
Table Tennis Strokes and Technique
Last updated 8 years ago
Stuart Gibson Asked 8 years ago
Hi guys I am having a problem with my third ball. I do a deceptive side spin top spin serve and they push the ball so it comes back very high with backspin and when I attack it I am only hitting the table about 60% most of the time going long when I miss. It is very frustrating because I do the hard work and get a bad return and don't take advantage off it enough. I am not very tall don't know if that would make any difference in the short high ones. Thanks
Alois Rosario Answered 8 years ago
Hi Stuart,
Try to put a bit more topspin on your 3rd ball shot. Often that ball that comes higher is more difficult than we give it credit for.
Get yourself into a good position and then make sure you play that with topspin to give it a bit of dip onto the table.
Thoughts on this question
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Ilia Minkin Posted 8 years ago
I also often miss those balls. For me the reason is that the chopped ball goes back with my own sidespin that fools me :D
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 8 years ago
Yes Ilia, it can be a trap especially when you start to develop your sidespin serves. Practice the 3rd ball a lot with a proper serve and allow yourself to adjust to the ball that comes back.