improving-return-of-service
Iwilllearnbackhandloops asked 6 years ago
How do you really improve your ability to read service and improve the return of service? In particular, not being deceived by services.
I have recently lost against player where I think I have better shots, technique, rally capabilities yet lose due to the service and receive elements of the game alone.
I’ve found this is a huge part of the game when playing higher standard opponent. How important do you think it is in relation to improving match results?
Dan Academy Coach answered 6 years ago
Hey, that’s a really good topic. The serve and return of serve are huge parts of the game and definitely vital to progressing, especially in terms of match results, because as you said the higher level players have better serves etc. Also the serve and return is an area of the game that takes place more often than anything else. There are so many types of players in table tennis with all sorts of serves and styles, which means you have to be pretty adaptable.
Reading the spin in serves and not being deceived is something that takes time and a lot of practice and there is no magic cure for it. However there are some things that will help you improve this area:
– Practice with a lot of different players
– In practice do lots of practice matches where your opponent serves the whole time, and see if your set score improves over time
– Try to spot what type of serves you’re struggling to return. Then practice often against this serve
– Work on feeling and understanding spin
I have worked with 100’s of players over the years who struggle in the serve and return department and I find generally players who struggle with returning serves tend to simply have the wrong shot or approach to the return. For example, often even when top players serve short and it can drift long, and this is where you want to attack these serves with a topspin shot. Your topspin will override the spin they have produced. Pushing long serves is what forces a lot of unforced errors when the receiver has misjudged the spin.
The other general error I see among players is pushing to often when returning serves. For example if your opponent serves with a lot of side spin, pushing this is a lot more trickier than flicking the ball. Watch this video on how to return tricky sidespin serves: https://tabletennisdailyacademy.com/videos/return-tricky-long-sidespin-serves/
We are going to release some more videos on the serve and the return over the next few video releases. If you are able to upload a video here of yourself playing a match it will really help me analyse your game and suggest some tips.
Talk soon
Dan
