SERVICE

Essential Elements: Spin, Speed, Placement

Procedure:

1. Correct stance
2. Watch opponent
3. Correct body action
4. Watch ball
5. Correct breathing action
6. Use of fake motion
7. Ball toss
8. Ball contact point
9. Ball / Racket contact point
10. Racket angle on impact
11. Variation of spin
12. Ball / Table contact point
13. Racket follow through
14. Move to attack position
15. Combining service with 3^rd and 5^th ball attack

1. Correct Stance

Take a wide stance, well balanced, weight forward.

2. Watch Opponent

It is necessary to watch opponent in order to decide on the best service depending on their receiving position.

The opponent may be positioned:

· Too close to table - long serve

· Too far from table - short serve

· Too wide on BH side - short to FH or fast to FH

· Too far to FH side - fast to BH

· Too close to centre - curve to BH or fast to BH or centre with spin

From watching the opponent you may also anticipate their type of return, and serve accordingly. Watch facial expression, eyes, arm position and stance for indication of :

Forehand topspin - fast top / sidespin service

- fast side / chop service

- short sidespin service

Backhand topspin - short knuckle ball service

- fast topspin service

- medium side / chop service

Forehand / Backhand - fast, deep topspin, sidespin or chop service

- medium side spin service

- knuckle ball service

3. Correct Body Action

Use all of the body – feet , knees, hips, trunk, shoulders. Short sharp movement of hips, swivel knees. Use large backswing.

Bring head over ball on impact creating space for racket movement and clear vision on impact.

Cock wrist and relax just before impact

4. Watch Ball

This is very important.

5. Breathing Action

In order to produce maximum spin on impact. Hold breath from stomach on impact therefore strengthening stomach muscles.

6. Use of Fake Motion

In order to lure opponent into:

• Incorrect receiving stance
• Incorrect receiving stroke, therefore a hurried correction stroke
• Misjudging spin

7. Ball Toss

Low Toss - throw directly up about 6 inches

High Toss - throw directly up using knees for control of ball flight path.

8. Ball Contact Point

Horizontally within 15 inches

Vertically - depends on service, about 6 inches above table.

9. Ball / Racket Contact Point

Low contact point - more spin

High contact point - less spin

10. Racket Angle on Impact

Chop

Side Chop

Side Top

Top

11. Variation of Spin

Many variation of spins should be used.

TOP Knuckle CHOP

+10 +9 +8 +7 +6 +5 +4 +3 +2 +1 0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 -10

12. Ball / Table Contact Point

Ball should contact table close to end line

· easy to serve short & long

· spin maximized

13. Racket Follow Through

In order to disguise type of service, the follow through (short) should be the same each time.

Should have 3 varying spin serves with the same follow through (ending).

14. Move to Attack Position

Following service it is essential to take a short step backwards to an attacking position. This will enable for easy 3^rd ball attack from either the backhand or forehand side.

Failure to adopt attack position will create the possibility of a cramped 3^rd ball attack and slow down 3^rd ball attack due to lack of forward movement.

15. Combining Service with 3^rd and 5^th Ball Attack

Opponent will normally return service the easiest way, therefore anticipate this and attack without hesitation.

If opponent returns service the difficult way then the return will be slow and easy to play.

16. Other points

· Poker face - necessary so opponent is unable to detect type of service.

· Relaxed (casual) serving action (actually heavy spin) – use to give the opponent false reading of service

· Use various services including one fast serve.

· Keep service low.