backspin-service
Nomad asked 5 years ago
Hi Guys
I set up imaginary table tennis table at home by making chalk marks on the linoleum floor to the dimensions (9×5 feet) with another mark in the middle to indicated the net position. From this I tried the backspin service and if the ball bounced before the centre mark and the before the end mark then I could say that I had made a successful service if the ball returned to me with the spin I put on.
When Tom described the practice where he would increase the spin so that he ball would spin back to the net from the opponents side I had a closer look at the video and noticed a slight difference between the two serves on finishing With the normal backspin demo the bat angle finished almost the way it started, ie horizontally. However when Dan served with increase backspin so that it would stay on the table I noticed that the bottom edge of his bat finished more upwards after contacting the ball. Was this to ensure that the ball was given more rotation by contacting it as far to left of its centre as possible? If so would this involve a slight increase in wrist rotation?
Thanks for your advice.
Alex
Dan Academy Coach answered 5 years ago
Hey Alex,
Sounds like a good set up you created! Yes that’s exactly right, some players like myself when going for more backspin find it easier to get the right contact and produce more spin if the bat is tilted more upwards towards the end of the serve. It means you can brush under the ball easier I find and like you said needs a slight bit more rotation from the wrist to contact the ball like this.
Different players find certain ways more comfortable so I would say give it a try and find the position where you feel you have the most control, comfortable grip and can produce spin that comes back to you!
Nomad answered 5 years ago
Thanks Dan and Tom
I appreciate that stroke technique can vary from person to person which is one of the reasons why I find your videos so interesting.
I have been practising the backhand serve regularly and it looks to be working as the ball returns to me (on the floor) from a distance of 9 feet. One thing I am trying to do is to increase the pure backspin and decrease sidespin so the ball returns back in a straight line and does not deviate to the side. I found your exercise of throwing the ball up and catching it very useful as it allows me to check to see where my bat contacts the ball and the angle and direction of follow through.
I discovered that when standing at right angles to the table ready to serve if I moved my right foot back about 6 inches my left shoulder and body moved to the right towards the table. After the toss the bat contacted the ball around the middle of the stomach. The follow through using the wrist was short but did not come in towards the body as much (which I think was the cause of the sidespin). Using this slight adjustment in stance the sidespin was minimal and the ball took a much sraighter road back with increased speed.
The rotation of the body ensured that I was back in the ready position for the next shot. I realise this is a slight adaptation but would ask be interested in hearing your opinion. Also what angle is legal when the ball is tossed? When I played regularly the angle was 45 degrees.
Alex
Dan Academy Coach answered 5 years ago
It’s great you are managing to improvise well and still practice serves at home! To be honest with you your adaptation sounds good, especially if you are more comfortable with it and can generate spin easier. The body rotation you mentioned is key with these backhand serves and makes sure you can be relaxed in the arm and wrist and also recover to the right position. To really get pure backspin on backhand serves isn’t that easy and a little bit of side spin usually will be there.
With the serve toss it has to be near vertical to be legal so I would be slight careful if it’s going to 45 degrees, just try o get it as straight as possible.
