Described for a right-handed server; the tips on reading and returning speak to the receiver.
How to read it
- The blade is laid open and travels under the ball, forward and down.
- A fast arm with a slow ball means heavy backspin: the speed went into spin.
- The ball floats, slows down in the air and sits up after the bounce instead of coming on to you.
- Contact near the tip of the blade is the heavy one; the same swing with contact near the handle is the no-spin fake.
How to return it
- Short: step in with the right foot under the table and push it back short or long with an open racket, brushing under the ball.
- If it would bounce off the end, open the racket slightly and loop it up — lift with the legs, do not hit forward.
- A flat or closed racket puts it in the net: when in doubt, open more and aim higher over the net.
Common mistakes when serving it
- Hitting the back of the ball instead of brushing under it — the serve goes long and has no spin.
- Meeting the ball too high, which makes it bounce high and easy to attack.
- Tossing out of the hand with spin, less than 16 cm, or hiding the ball behind the body or free arm — all faults.
More forehand serves
- Pendulum Side-Backspin
- Pendulum Side-Topspin
- Pendulum No-Spin (Float)
- Reverse Pendulum
- Tomahawk
- Reverse Tomahawk
- Hook Serve
- Shovel Serve
- High-Toss Pendulum
- Fast Long Serve
- Squat Serve
Learn to serve it
The step-by-step technique — grip, stance, toss, backswing, contact and finish — and a 3D demo you can turn and slow down are in Trainoro’s Service Drills, along with 12 ways to receive. To practise serving with a partner, see the serve and return drills.
-
Google Play
Install
- App Store Coming soonfor iPhone Early access
Scan a code with your phone's camera, or tap the link.