How to read sidetop vs sideunderspin serve!?

[TensorBackhand]

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This problem has given me trouble for a long time. I just can't understand how to differentiate the side-top vs side-under serves.

I stumbled on this video, and no matter what I do it looks like side-under to me. But from the return, it must be side-top. Somebody please explain the spin rules to me.

If you have more video examples please post them here as well. I just need to get over this hurdle or I will never solve my issue.

 

[zeio]

Look for the kick on the first bounce (too late by second bounce). And sometimes you have to look at the facial expression or body language before the serve for clues.

 

[Amayzde]

You have to really pay attention to the motion at point of contact.

The server in this video does a good job disguising the serve by contacting the bottom of the ball around 4 to 5 o clock. This makes it so alot of people might initially think its backspin. But his motion when he contacts the ball is from side to side, so its not backspin. For backspin you need to hit from back to forward.

He does finish forward with an open bat angle, but thats only the after motion. You need to watch the point of contact and not get fooled by the motion done after contact.

And yes this is easier said then done because some good servers can make this difference in motion very small.

 

[AutomaticBackhand]

If you learn to do the Serve yourself, you'll be able to understand and read it more easily.

Also more experience playing against it will help.

Once I learned to do a good hook serve and a semi-good reverse pendulum, I could handle them much better when my opponent did them.

 

[Amayzde]

Also, if you are unsure about the serve being side-top or side-back. Wait a little longer with the recieve. Let the ball bounce and hit it on the dropping stage at 6 o clock (so the exact bottom) with a good cut.

This way the spin on the serve will be less effective. The topspin serve might bounce up a little higher, but it shouldn’t be too high and there will be loads of backspin on it, so the opponent wont have an easy ball.

At 4:12;

 

[K.K]

Also, if you are unsure about the serve being side-top or side-back. Wait a little longer with the recieve. Let the ball bounce and hit it on the dropping stage at 6 o clock (so the exact bottom) with a good cut.

This way the spin on the serve will be less effective. The topspin serve might bounce up a little higher, but it shouldn’t be too high and there will be loads of backspin on it, so the opponent wont have an easy ball.

At 4:12;

perfect comment! just be less rushed. let the ball bounce, there is mostly more time then you think for receiving and with that you also train your brain better even if you miss it

 

[blahness]

This serve is hidden by his free arm so it is technically illegal anyway.

The sound of sideunder is different to that of sidetop or no spin, it is usually a bit more heavy brush muted sound because to get good sideunderspin you have to brush a lot.

Also trajectory is different between sidetopspin and sideunderspin as mentioned by many ppl.

Also with very tricky serves where blade angle is almost the same, you can actually detect it via differences in the height of the contact (relative to the net). Underspin usually has to be contacted higher and topspin usually has to be contacted lower.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

If you learn to do the Serve yourself, you'll be able to understand and read it more easily.

Also more experience playing against it will help.

Once I learned to do a good hook serve and a semi-good reverse pendulum, I could handle them much better when my opponent did them.

good advise!

 

[Dr Evil]

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...
I stumbled on this video, and no matter what I do it looks like side-under to me. But from the return, it must be side-top.

It's mostly sidespin, not side-top. Almost as easy to pop up, trickier to read. Lots of good advice in previous posts.