In this video I share my super easy method for returning serves. This is a method I use when coaching beginner and intermediate players.
In the video, I show you how to return backspin serves, topspin serves and sidespin serves. At its simplest, you can return backspin or side-backspin serves with a push and topspin or side-topspin serves with a drive.
I also explain how to read the spin. At the end of the video, I show you some more advanced return of serves too.
Most of the time my method for returning serves works well and the players I coach find they can return many more serves.
I hope my suggestions work for you too!
What’s in the video
0:00 – Tom introduces the video
01:40 – How to return backspin serves
03:54 – How to return topspin serves
05:40 – How to return sidespin serves
08:15 – Reading spin
09:28 – Watching the server
10:38 – Progression – advanced return of serves
Useful links
> Tom Lodziak’s YouTube Channel
> More online table tennis lessons
Thank you for sharing this guide, Tom! Side spin serve for me is the most difficult one to return since my way of playing table tennis has very limited bat-angle exploration and the struggle on playing with opponents who like side spin service is real.
What about no spin long and short?
For short no spin serves, you could either push (brush down back of ball) or flick (more hit than spin). For long no spin, you could push, brushing down back of ball again or drive, but with a little more topspin.