Described for a right-handed server; the tips on reading and returning speak to the receiver.
How to read it
- The racket tip points up and the racket moves from the server's left to their right.
- The ball curves to your right, toward a right-hander's forehand, like a backhand serve.
- A chop that travels downward is side-backspin; a level or rising swing is side-topspin.
- The contact is higher than on a pendulum, so the serve tends to bounce a little higher — look for the chance to attack.
How to return it
- It kicks to your left off the racket: aim right of the target, toward the server's backhand side.
- Against the side-backspin version, push with an open racket angled to the right.
- If it sits up, flick or loop it — the higher contact often makes this serve attackable.
Common mistakes when serving it
- Meeting the ball too high above the table, which makes the serve bounce high.
- Swinging with a stiff wrist: the last bit of spin comes from the wrist turning the blade across.
- Letting the racket tip drop before contact, which turns it into a weak pendulum.
More forehand serves
- Pendulum Backspin
- Pendulum Side-Backspin
- Pendulum Side-Topspin
- Pendulum No-Spin (Float)
- Reverse Pendulum
- 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.
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