Third ball play
Table Tennis Match Strategy
Last updated 9 years ago
Pronit Roy Chowdhury Asked 12 years ago
My friends were telling me something about third ball play. What is it and how can one master it?
Thanks in advance sir.
Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago
Hi Pronit,
Third ball refers to the third ball in the rally. The serve is the first ball, the return is the second and then comes the third ball.
The idea is to be able to make an attacking stroke on the third ball by using an effective serve.
In Table Tennis it is often the person that can make the first attacking stroke that will win the point. That is why the third ball is so important for the server.
It is related to your ability to serve well and create those opportunities.
To get better at it work on your serves and especially your Forehand Topspin Off Backspin. These are the two critical elements of having a good third ball attack.
Thoughts on this question
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Pronit Roy Chowdhury Posted 12 years ago
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
YK Wong Posted 12 years ago
Salvatore Arpaia Posted 12 years ago
Well, in this video you mentioned that if you have a strong backhand you should go for spinny backhand as third ball attack. This could be my case. Any hint on how to favor your opponent playing on that side his second ball?
Thanks
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
Hi Salvatore,
By serving more to their backhand corner they are more likely to have the angle to put the ball back to your backhand side. Also think about the spin that you are putting on the serve. You can put sidespin that will tend to make the ball come to this side.
Experiment with your serves to see which of them gives you the best results.
aishik das Posted 11 years ago
show me please the reverse pendulum serve
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
This is shown in a previous question. Search for it on the Ask the Coach section. At the top of the page you will see a box that says "what would you like to know about Table Tennis". Type in Reverse Pendulum Serve and you will see that there are a lot of responses. If you go through them you will also find a video we have made on the topic.
trilochan singh Posted 11 years ago
I often see third back attack as topspin shot. If it returns by opponent then drive shot will come. Am I correct Alois.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
Yes Trilochan either a drive or another topspin. If the ball comes high it can even be a smash.
Ilia Minkin Posted 9 years ago
But what about serving fast and long rather than short? Do you think that tactics that involves fast and long nospin serve and then a strong counter-attack can be effective? What are the best sequences to practice for this kind of play?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 9 years ago
Hi Ilia,
The fast serve can be useful at a certain level, especially if they are struggling with your spin and speed. At a higher level, the long serve can be easily attacked by your opponent. It can still be used as a variation and surprise tactic.