logo
logo
Sign in

Serves are the Most Important Shots in Table Tennis

avatar
Table Tennis Store
Serves are the Most Important Shots in Table Tennis

No matter what sort of table tennis equipment you're using, most professional players agree the serve is the essential shot. Beginner and amateur players often overlook it; instead, they focus on improving their rallying and looping skills. But think twice about why the serve is essential. It can influence the return. When serves are right, the return ball can be predictable or weak. It can set up the server to take the winning point. When you're serving, you establish the play, and everything else follows from it. When properly taken advantage of, the serve provides many opportunities.

Next, think about control. The serve is the only shot over which a player had complete control. Nothing your opponent has done figures into your execution. It can be planned and executed all by you and therefore is much more under your control. Our opponent cannot influence what you do, and you can play any stroke you choose—players who develop thorough knowledge about serving also fine-tune their understanding of the most effective return shots. Therefore, your game will improve on both sides of the serving dynamic. A player with more knowledge nearly always does better.

Once you're on board with the strategic importance of serving, it's crucial to focus on the three most effective types of serves. Placing the ball is a serve about knowing your opponent's strengths and weaknesses. Ideally, you put the ball on the table in your opponent's weakest spot. The objective is to force them to make an uncertain return. This approach requires continuous scouting of your opponents because, over time, they may improve in some areas. A serve with spin can help confuse your opponent into playing the wrong shot. The three main types ate topspin, backspin, and sidespin.

Long serves can be excellent when played at opportune moments. They are aimed toward the edges of the table and near the end lines. The best longer serves have both surprise and speed. Again, the idea is to force a weak return from your opponent. No matter which you choose, it's always best to mix things up and keep the other player guessing. It's also crucial to scout your opponent a have a strategy in mind to capitalize on any weaknesses. There is also no substitute for practicing. No matter what serve you select, executing it well depends on your proficiency. Practicing makes you better.

 

collect
0
avatar
Table Tennis Store
guide
Zupyak is the world’s largest content marketing community, with over 400 000 members and 3 million articles. Explore and get your content discovered.
Read more