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Third Ball Attack Guarantee

Strategy

Oliver
Oliver Asked 14 years ago

Hi Alois & Jeff

My third ball attack is one of the most devastating in my club. It is consistent and very powerful. But I do not always get a chance to do it. What serve is the best if I want to force my opponent to simply push it back to a certain part of the table which I determine so I can do a third ball attack? If you are willing to do a video on this sort of thing, I will appreciate it very much.

Thanks,

Oliver

Alois Rosario
Member Badge Alois Rosario Answered 14 years ago

Hi Oliver,

Unfortunately there is no one serve that will guarantee a suitable return.  It always depends on your opponents abilities and likes.

If you are looking for a push return a short backspin serve is usually better.  This makes it harder for your opponent to attack it with a flick or a topspin.

You need to have some speed on the serve so that it gets them to push the ball long.  If it is too slow, it is easier to push the return short and so it will be hard for you to attack.

We will try to get to making a video response to this. 

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Tactics Against A Defensive Chopper

A chopper likes to get back from the table and get into a nice rhythm. If you keep the defender close to the table in the early part of the rally, it's hard for them to transition back into their chopping position. So keep the ball short on your serve and try and catch them unprepared. Watch the video to find out more great tactics to use against a defensive chopper.

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Thoughts on this question (6)

Kevin Z

Kevin Z Posted 14 years ago

I had a tournament today. My most effective serve against all my opponents was a short-placed pendulum/reverse pendulum serve with topspin/sidespin. They couldn't adapt to it and very often they returned it high or long on the table, so I could easily perform a 3rd ball attack. 
Alois Rosario

Member Badge Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 14 years ago

That is excellent.  A short serve with variation of spin is a really strong weapon.  Well done.
Oliver

Oliver Posted 14 years ago

By trying your technique, Alois, my 3rd ball attack can be performed at almost anytime. But the problem is, whenever I want it on my forehand, it goes to my backhand and whenever I want it on my backhand, it goes to my forehand. I tried Kevin's technique and people kept on flicking me. What should I do?
Shripathi ramakrishnan

Shripathi ramakrishnan Posted 14 years ago

how to serve short with spin and speed?
Alois Rosario

Member Badge Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 14 years ago

Shripathi,

This takes a lot of practice.  You must get the ball very low over the net, get the first bounce close to you and be very accurate.  This will definitely take a lot of service practice sessions. 

Alois Rosario

Member Badge Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 14 years ago

Oliver,

If you want the ball to your forehand serve it wider to their forehand so that the cross court is the easiest option for them which will be to your forehand.  The opposite applies if you want it to your backhand. 

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