OOAK Table Tennis Forum

How to return a serve when you are not sure what spin it is?

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Schlager, FH : Yasaka Rakza 7, BH : Haifu Shark 2
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Assuming that you are using inverted, which your sig suggests- you must play a positive stroke to try to apply your spin to overcome whatever is or is not on the ball. Aim for the centre of the table. Dont do anything marginal, for example trying to flight back a very low return. It is better of course to read the spin, and if you are finding it that difficult then take the ball as late as possible. If it holds up, it is probably backspin, if it kicks toward you probably topspin. By taking the ball late spin will reduce a little. Above all, *learn to read spin*.

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Timo Boll ALC ST
FH Tibhar Evolution MX-P Max
BH Tibhar Evolution FX-S 1.8
185g

learn from mistakes, be positive, watch others,always ask for help, get a training friend and do 10-20 chop serves each to each other and 10 sidespin tops etc, attack if long (loop), pratice, get lower and watch, play a shot requardless , aim for the middle of thier side, be ready , practice against short serves (ie attacking/fliping and possitive pushes, sometimes you have to guess, learn good spin serves yourself (it help you understand thiers) and you can give it back. Watch players carateristics and look for knowen body language signs
The worse thing is poking, or not playing a shot (as it affect your return more than not playing a shot) ie thier spin will have more effect on your rubber

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Blade Ulmo Duality| FH Tibhar mx-p Black, Dawei 388D-1 red OX
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When in doubt assume underspin for slow or short ball and no spin for fast or long ball.

First of all try to work out how to distinguish between chop and float. As a general rule chop comes through slightly faster. Also watch the stamp on the ball - if you can see it, it is float, if you can't, there is spin. Also try to watch the wrist.

Current coaching for attackers is that there are 3 ways to return a serve. Topspin (when serve is long), flick, and soft touch (not push). When any serve is long an attacker should always look to topspin - if you are unsure about the spin, topspin it more. When the serve is short with little or no backspin, flick, with the shot starting high going to low. When there is backspin on a short serve, use a soft touch, with the main aim keeping the ball short yourself and trying to set up a 4th ball topspin.