How to receive pendulum serve to the body/elbow?

[TensorBackhand]

I never know what to do when server does heavy pendulum (side or side-under) to the area between my stomach and right elbow.

It's too left to hit with my forehand. It's too fast and still too left to step around and hit fh well.

But because of the sidespin, its also very awkward to hit with the bh. With bh, i find it hard to push the ball, and I find it even harder to loop.

How do you hit this ball in the awkward strike zone?

 

[Tyce]

Footwork, footwork and footwork. I prefer a BH loop because the sidespin is easy to correct for. But you have to move for it.

 

[Dr Evil]

Unfortunately, you will have to return it with either your forehand or your backhand. Backhand is generally easier if you're not quick or don't have efficient footwork. Long pushing is easier than looping if your don't have a reliable backhand loop. I'd recommend working on your backhand loop because I think it's often the best option, but that might take a while. Meanwhile, long push or chop these serves. As long as you make good contact you can mostly ignore the sidespin and just adjust for the underspin. Aim right back at the server's playing elbow, giving yourself plenty or margin for error. The server's giving you power so you don't have to add your own. Keep the stroke short. Even though you have to move much less than for a forehand, still try to pick the ball up early and move to get the contact point in your strike zone. Don't reach or let it crowd you too much or your consistency will drop off a cliff. Like anything else this requires practice, but usually less than the other options.

 

[jk1980]

If you and the opponent are right handed the spin will make the ball drift to your left side and favor a loop or backhand flick with sidespin while you can go with the spin and hence have less reaction to the incoming skin.

You would use your wide serve receive stance or step out a little with the right foot to have enough room to shift your upper body to the right to be able to get the ball drift into your backhand flick strike zone

 

[TensorBackhand]

Footwork, footwork and footwork. I prefer a BH loop because the sidespin is easy to correct for. But you have to move for it.

I don't find the sidespin easy to correct for. My bh kinda naturally points to the right. And the sidespin is going to my right. So I find it very difficult to guide the ball straight.

 

[kapahoo]

Try to push the ball deep into opponents forehand or move your feet and make a forehand loop.

 

[pong99]

I don't find the sidespin easy to correct for. My bh kinda naturally points to the right. And the sidespin is going to my right. So I find it very difficult to guide the ball straight.

You must aim left with the BH. Move to your right and point your elbow at the server and contact the right side of the ball. Whether it's a compact loop or push, hit the right side of the ball. For pushing, I use the right to left fade and go with the spin, it's easier with FH.

 

[fore.n.back]

For me I generally pivot and use my forehand, for that I often
- Stand at a distant of a forearm's length in the backhand corner
- Place my right foot behind the left to pivot easier
- Hit the ball to the opponent bh corner to make better use their spin. Going down the line is also a good option but riskier since there's less table length and you have to go against their spin