Set up serves
Sweetiele asked 6 years ago
Hey Dan and Tom,
I have a decent forehand, especially a decent opening ball that I have worked quite hard on through the years. But I feel that I’m not able to use my forehand in matches like some other more forehand oriented players do. I would be delighted to learn a few ways how I can use my forehand in matches more including a few serves that set up forehand attacks. Thanks and regards
Dan Academy Coach answered 6 years ago
Hey Sweetiele,
Great question! We need to feature this in an upcoming video I like this question a lot as I’m a forehand dominant player myself. Firstly, you want to work on your serves and make them deceptive between backspin, sidespin and topspin. Subtle variations of sidespin backspin and sidespin topspin serves usually get indecision from your opponent and then you can turn/pivot and play the forehand. Improving your pivot will help in this area to so check out this video: https://tabletennisdailyacademy.com/videos/the-pivot-shot/
Improving your footwork and pivot will enable to you play the forehand a lot easier off serve. Here are some different serves you can do:
1) Long fast serve into the backhand. Often once you serve fast and deep into the backhand corner players tend to return back cross court, You can then pivot here and use your forehand. It can sometimes be a gamble so watch out for your opponent playing the backhand down the line.
2) Variations of spinny serves to the middle of the table. The indecision your opponent has from returning a serve from the middle of the table means they are second guessing whether to use a forehand or backhand and can lead to your opponent putting the ball long or high.
3) Short serves to the forehand: Players will likely push cross court into your forehand after serving short into that corner.
It would be great if you can send us a match of you playing for us to analyse. I would also recommend developing your backhand attack so it gives you more variation in your game.
Does this help?
Love the question, stay tuned for a video which will feature this.
SweetieleThanks for the reply Dan!
This should help! I am working on my backhand attack. Some advice on the modern backhand topspin that is performed from close to the table and on the bounce would definitely help! I know that the stroke should have a small follow through, a small backswing and should have a stable fixed elbow position and smooth acceleration through the ball. It should be performed primarily by a combination of wrist and forearm.
