Trouble with serves to the middle

[schrodingerskoalabear]

I (RH player) have been having difficulty with receiving a left side/under, side-top serve that comes to my middle. It jams me using both my BH and FH and makes the return awkward

The length is usually long/ sometimes half-long serves.

Any tips on how to receive such serves?

 

[Yuomay]

You basically need to do a side step and commit to either FH or BH. I’d say if it’s classic pendulum you should play BH and if it’s reverse pendulum (or scoop, tomahawk or BH serve) it’s probably easier to go for a FH.

Also check the latest video of PechPong it’s 10 minutes on serve receive quite instructive

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

I (RH player) have been having difficulty with receiving a left side/under, side-top serve that comes to my middle. It jams me using both my BH and FH and makes the return awkward

The length is usually long/ sometimes half-long serves.

Any tips on how to receive such serves?

Basically A cat & mouse situation.
Cat wants to pounce on the mouse / Server wants to jam the elbow.
Mouse wants to sprint to safety / Receiver body needs to get out of the way quickly.
Whoever is faster, he will win.

 

[merlin el mago]

First thing is not stay too close to the table nor too far. Second you have to listen the time between the sound impacting the ball & the table how many time is spaced: if short spaced expect a long serve if long spaced expect a short serve. Third see also how is hitting the ball the server because it's very important to know what kind of spin have the ball. 4th I always wait for a long serve so I never will caught with a long fast serve. 5th it's important the position where do the serve because depends the position you receive you didn't see how the ball is brushed.

Normally this kind of services are dangerous if you are playing too close to table and you don't follow the 4 rules, sometimes the fault is lacking concentration.

 

[schrodingerskoalabear]

You basically need to do a side step and commit to either FH or BH. I’d say if it’s classic pendulum you should play BH and if it’s reverse pendulum (or scoop, tomahawk or BH serve) it’s probably easier to go for a FH.

Also check the latest video of PechPong it’s 10 minutes on serve receive quite instructive

Basically A cat & mouse situation.
Cat wants to pounce on the mouse / Server wants to jam the elbow.
Mouse wants to sprint to safety / Receiver body needs to get out of the way quickly.
Whoever is faster, he will win.

Thank you! Yeah, I have to start training this; I am too stationary when receiving. One other part is also actually picking up the direction sooner so the feet (not racket) move first.

+1 didn't know he has a new video! Eager to go through that.

 

[schrodingerskoalabear]

First thing is not stay too close to the table nor too far. Second you have to listen the time between the sound impacting the ball & the table how many time is spaced: if short spaced expect a long serve if long spaced expect a short serve. Third see also how is hitting the ball the server because it's very important to know what kind of spin have the ball. 4th I always wait for a long serve so I never will caught with a long fast serve. 5th it's important the position where do the serve because depends the position you receive you didn't see how the ball is brushed.

Normally this kind of services are dangerous if you are playing too close to table and you don't follow the 4 rules, sometimes the fault is lacking concentration.

This is my weakest aspect. I mostly focus on focus, while being aware that a fast long serve might come. For no.3, I have not been able to train an eye/ear for this. Another skill to add to an already long list of weaknesses :')

 

[Tyce]

One thing I like to do is hop on my feet when the ball is tossed, it primes me for quick movement.

 

[schrodingerskoalabear]

One thing I like to do is hop on my feet when the ball is tossed, it primes me for quick movement.

I used to do that and I am not sure why I don't do that anymore. Currently, my receive movement is:

1. FH stance with left foot forward and right foot back

2. Forearm's length from the table (mostly get long serves at my level)

3. As the ball contact is made, I do a micro step with my right foot closer to the table. My timing on this is weak, usually moving in way too early. I think I am so focused on watching the contact, that I can't direct my foot timing

4. Ideally, I would take that step back for a long serve but in practice, it mostly just stays there. I am not great at maintaining distance here but given my laziness on this, I try to make sure, even with the micro-step, I have enough space for long ball

All this said, for the life of me, I can't remember, why I phased out the hop. Maybe time to replace that with step 3, and then react to serve length.

 

[merlin el mago]

You need to be floating the body so you can't touch the heels of feet touch the ground and if you want little jumps before to receive the serve, look videos from pro players like Alex Lebrun & others pros. I forgot to add that you also know if the serve is long or short depending the first bounce on the side serve: if his serve the ball bounces near the server normally will be a fast serve and if the ball first bounce is near the net the serve normally will be short.

 

[merlin el mago]

As you do:

1. FH stance with left foot forward and right foot back That's perfect if you have a powerfull FH & agressive game & you are fast pivoting to attack if not isn't good for you and use a neutral position so parallel to the table no one foot forward or back so easy to moves depending the ball direction

2. Forearm's length from the table (mostly get long serves at my level) That's good distance (aprox. half meter) between you & the table because you can return short or long services

3. As the ball contact is made, I do a micro step with my right foot closer to the table. My timing on this is weak, usually moving in way too early. I think I am so focused on watching the contact, that I can't direct my foot timing If you use neutral position to receive you will do the foot (left or right) moving forward or back only according where the ball goes so you don't lose time first moving the right foot close to the table because you are just in neutral position to receive the serve.

4. Ideally, I would take that step back for a long serve but in practice, it mostly just stays there. I am not great at maintaining distance here but given my laziness on this, I try to make sure, even with the micro-step, I have enough space for long ball Remember It's more easy to go forward than to go back so aply accordingly

Be patient and never never give it up, train train train if possible with a coach or record you with a camera to correct & improve your game.

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

1. If ball with side spin that curves towards my BH side; I'll receive with BH.

2. If ball with side spin that curves towards my FH side; I'll receive with FH.

3. By fixing these two clear distinction, you have less doubt and hesitation. Hesitation, that is what an elbow ball actually feed and thrive on.

4. I still get caught often by the kicker serves that is aimed straight to my elbow. That nasty one, I have not been able to overcome yet...

 

[merlin el mago]

Gozo try to not be to close to the table and small jumping to be not solid as a rock at the ground, once you know direction move fast to take best position to return the ball with quality to made a winner or avoid the 3rd ball attack from server.

I'm not tired all the ways told to my players how is the important the serve & the receive!!!