Jan-Ove Waldner was the master of deceptive serves during the times when you could hide the point of contact. Over time, the official rules have evolved and professionals need to maximize their effectiveness under each ruleset.
When serving, you must keep the rules in mind.
Focus on the point of contact and try to generate different spins with variation and deception. Psychologically, this will cause you to make adjustments to avoid service faults instead of finding ways to generate the heaviest spin. The problem with only practicing your serves on the table is that you will inevitably miss many serves, especially in the beginning. Now you’re probably thinking, “Off the table? You’re off your rocker!”ĭon’t worry, you’ll get your table time. Then it’s up to you to hone these skills on and off the table. A good coach will train your technique and advise you on the best serves to complement your game. There is no substitute for proper coaching and ample practice when it comes to developing an array of effective serves. High-quality serves are built upon a foundation of technical understanding and adorned with individual expression. What’s the one aspect of the game that a player has complete control over? Which shot comes into play with the highest frequency? What separates a good player from a great player? Every point starts with a serve, and understanding this will help you accelerate along the learning curve.Ī wise man once said, “50% of the time, you serve every time.” Serving is a player’s chance to take control and set the tone for the match. Then you start to wonder, maybe they’re right. You might even get frustrated with what seem like overly simplistic and repetitive responses. Now ask a hundred professional players to name the most essential skill to succeed and you’ll likely notice something quite different.
→ Articles → Tips and Tricks How to Serve Like a Proįirst published on Thursday, October 3, 2019Īsk ten players at your local table tennis club to name their favorite part of the game and you’ll get ten different answers.