Spinning the ball is one of the most important techniques in table tennis. Serving with topspin can be a great way to confuse your opponent and get a point right away. If you've ever tried it and run into trouble, or are learning for the first time, you'll need some pointers on how to do it. This article discusses the different types of twists that can be made on the ball and how to serve with a topspin.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Studying the Different Types of Twist
Step 1. Perform a serve stroke without twisting
The ball won't go fast, but if you're just learning to play table tennis, it's a good idea to master this technique first.
- Hit the ball near its equator, which is the line across the center of the ball.
- Make sure to hit with the bat (racquet) at a 90 degree angle to the ball.
- The ball will move forward with little or no twist.
Step 2. Try giving the ball a twist
You can do this once you have mastered the serve stroke without twisting.
- Rub the bat against the ball when serving. The ball is slightly rubbed when hit. The direction of your friction will give the ball a different twist.
- The twist is done on the ball by using a frictional motion on the curvature of the ball.
- Do this with the bat at an angle of less than 90 degrees.
- Use movements from the bottom up (upward), from the top down (downward), or sideways.
- The faster the bet swipes the ball, the faster the ball will twist.
- The ball will spin faster and travel shorter distances with good friction.
- Using a bat with reverse rubber (rubber without spots) can help give the ball more twist than using a pimpled/anti-spin rubber (spotted/anti-twist rubber).
Step 3. Learn the different types of twists
There are three main types of twists in table tennis and each has its own technique of serving.
- Topspin is produced by starting a stroke from below the ball and swiping the bet on the ball in an upward motion towards the front.
- Backspin is produced by starting a stroke from above the ball and swiping the bet on the ball in a downward motion towards the front.
- Sidespin is generated by swiping the bat in a sideways motion when hitting the ball.
Step 4. Learn the effects of twisting on the ball
Different types of twists produce different effects in table tennis.
- When you topspin the ball, the downward pressure on the ball will increase, so it will bounce low on the table. When it hits the opponent's bet, the ball will bounce upwards.
- When doing backspin on the ball, the ball will bounce higher after hitting the table and not float far forward.
- When the ball that is hit with a backspin hits the opponent's bet, the ball will bounce downwards.
- When doing sidespin on the ball, the ball will bounce off the opponent's bet in the same direction as your bet when you hit the ball. For example, if you swipe left, the ball will bounce left.
Method 2 of 2: Serving with Topspin
Step 1. Take a position to serve
The position you stand in will depend on which hand is your dominant hand.
- If you hit with your right hand, you are standing in the backhand corner of the table. Place your right foot in front and bend your knee slightly. This is the position ready to serve.
- The bet is in the right hand and the ball is in the left, if you hit with the right hand.
- If you hit with your left hand, you are standing in the forehand corner of the table. Place your left foot in front and bend your knee slightly. Now you are ready to serve.
- The bet is in your left hand and the ball is in your right if you hit with your left.
Step 2. Throw the ball into the air from your open palm
International table tennis rules state that the ball must be thrown straight into the air when serving. You are not allowed to serve the ball directly from the hand.
- When doing this, keep your hands at chest level.
- You must throw the ball in the air at least 15 cm or about the height of the net or net.
- Do not throw the ball up towards the front or up towards the back. Throw it perpendicular to the air.
Step 3. Hit the ball to serve' as the ball drops down
Make a serve when the ball is at about chest or stomach level.
- If you serve the ball too low, it will not be high enough to cross the net.
- If you serve the ball too high, it will bounce too high or too quickly after serving.
- Hitting the ball around chest level or slightly below it will send the ball flying forward, bouncing off the table and over the net.
Step 4. Hit the top of the ball, above the ball's equator
If you hit the ball at the wrong point, it won't twist or twist the right kind.
- Keep the bet at an angle of less than 90 degrees. Turn the bet toward the net for a topspin.
- Remember, hitting the top of the ball is the first thing to topspin the ball.
- If you hit the ball right at the equator (around the center of the ball), it won't twist, and may fly too far forward before hitting the table.
- If you hit the ball from below, you may end up backspin, but the goal here is to topspin.
- Topspin will make the ball bounce on the table near the server, away from the net.
Step 5. Swipe the ball in an up and down motion towards the front as you hit, trying to bounce it off the table as far from the net as possible
This will catapult the ball forward quickly.
- Swiping means that you rub the bat on the ball quickly when serving or returning the ball. Swiping in different directions will produce a different type of twist.
- Remember, swiping the ball from top to bottom in a forward direction will result in topspin.
- If you topspin the ball during a match, it will stay low after bouncing off the table.
- This will make the ball harder to hit the opponent.
- When the opponent hits the topspin ball, the ball will bounce upwards.
Tips
- Make sure the table and net are set and level before you practice or compete.
- Try using twists on your serve to make it harder for your opponent to return the ball.
- Try not to use the same twist or technique every time you serve. Mix up and surprise your opponents.
- Always practice whenever you can, but remember practicing will make us better.
