A simplified approach to returning serves

Returning serves can be really tough. It’s the most difficult part of table tennis for a lot of players.
But I want to make returning serves easier for you.
In this video I share an approach to returning serves - a simplified approach - which will hopefully help you return more of those tricky serves you struggle with.
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[@spikesflix]

I'm returning to table tennis having not played for 30 years (Pre-internet). Such a useful channel - clear and concise, many thanks Tom.

[@TomLodziak]

Thank you! Happy to help.

[@eh2acmq]

Yes! I started playing again after 27 years...It's a shame that there was no internet when I played as a young man. Now I understand a lot more than 30 years ago. But thanks to Tom I really improve from week to week.....

Same for me

[@ultraparadoxical7610]

Wow, sorta the same for me! I loved to play when I was a kid, then rarely played for 35 years. Now at 55 years old I’ve gotten back into it and even started training with a coach. So fun!

[@prescillageorge6916]

Same here ,returning after 30 years

[@justinc0336]

I like how topspin generally can be played with anything. Well, I guess if you’re good enough (and I mean really good) you could also use backspin to an extent, but sidespin can be tricky. If you go at the wrong direction into a sidespin serve with your sidespin hit, that ball will fly so far from the table that it’s unreal.

[@shahadat.hussain20]

I have recently startes playing tt and have developed a great love for the sport. This tutorial was a great clarification for a novice like me. Thanks a ton!!!

[@TomLodziak]

Thanks Shahadat.

[@suhulahmed7422]

Hows it going u still play?

[@shahadat.hussain20]

@@suhulahmed7422 no… its work from home and all my buddies are out of touch. Cant find anyone to play with.

[@valentinai.7793]

@@shahadat.hussain20 I know that your comment was 2 years ago, but maybe you will see my response :) I recently started playing table tennis in VR after 20+ years of not playing it. Highly recommend! No need for buddies, there are always thousands of people online playing, and the physics of the game are incredible (it feels like playing real table tennis) :)

[@alangoudie2299]

Great advice particularly for players starting to develop their game. If you get the ball back on the table you have a chance to win the point.Tom's videos are fantastic for players who are wanting to improve their game easily & quickly.The videos will really help my grandchildren.Many thanks Tom.

[@TomLodziak]

Thanks again Alan for the positive feedback.

[@androidgreek4806]

Found the video very useful, thank you for such clear easy to understand instruction! Great job, have subscribed.

[@sanoyeee9220]

Thank youuu🌺 I'm already topspinnig almost every serve i receive but i wasn't confident that my technique is actually a good one and i was so discouraged but thanks to your video! It gave me am confidence to continue doing that

[@tcnathan1967]

Fantastic tips for a beginner like me since I was struggling some service to return … thanks a lot 🙏🙏🙏

[@chrisbrodroy1183]

The olymics in tokia made me re-join my TT club after 26 years. I wish i would have had such great input in my beginner days. Great help! Thanks so much!

[@TomLodziak]

Glad to help and great you have started playing again!

[@ribalyaghi2338]

Thank you coach i found it hard but it works i am trying to eatch all your videos

[@williamoak1825]

That's a "life saver" advice!!!! Thank you so much Tom!!! Great coach!!!

[@eloimumford5247]

One of the best advice in all the internet lessons , those days the serves are so tricky , no time to decyphir ...just watch the ball coming and Kill it...you are the Master !

[@eloimumford5247]

I tried your approach and it works , the most difficult balls to return are the very soft serve ''weak'' , then the flick becomes a must to master. I burn to play the next game.

[@-butterfly-594]

Really? I thought that you could just slide under the ball at a slight angle to just tip it over the net. That might just be because I'm inexperienced and use the penhold grip, which is apparently really good for going under the ball.

[@janrendek]

I defaulted in despair to top spin returns when a new player kept serving heavily spun serves. It was my immediate reaction to what he was doing, now you confirmed my decision, thank you.

[@arikrahman2386]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO! IS VERY USEFULL. TOMORROW I HAVE A TABLE TENNIS MATCH

[@tonyhealy234]

Thanks for the very useful videos Tom, Tony

[@tufan886]

Excellent. Really very simplified demonstration.

[@blackhorse6450]

looks good strategy for beginners, top players trained to read every single serve separately because each one is unique and have it is own fingerprint, speed, spin, angle, placement, contact point, deception, ball height, blade and rubber condition even player mental and physical condition, thanks

[@markterrin8673]

I know players top 100 in the world with the same approach, because sometimes you cannot see what on the ball, I mean what spin and what energy

[@CartoonyPirate]

"Trained to read" Why can't they just read the position and get an idea? I mean, top players will find it easy to read. Unless some last second switch or whatever.

[@CartoonyPirate]

@@markterrin8673 You can. They see the spin on the ball and see how much force was put

[@markterrin8673]

@@CartoonyPirate why then not every serve they can return?)

[@Pingpongcraze]

Thanks much! One of the best coaches around 🙏🙏👍👍👍

[@peters9793]

Thank you Tom. You are like my coach. I remember them now. Make it simple

[@ZhiTian]

Love your video. Always simple to follow, insightful, and practical. I could recall successes resorting to top spins and flicks against serves when I'm 'in the game'. Now with you so succinctly pointed out, I'll make your advice my bread and butter :) Thank you!

[@TomLodziak]

Thanks Juku. Sounds as though you are on the right path. Keep going!

[@ZhiTian]

For those who thought otherwise, I'd say this: like everything else, there're always exceptions (a minority) that can sideline the technique and Tom, you do not need to spend time or energy to justify or prove anything. You're doing a great (free) public service to many of us and that is more than one could ask for. Based on my own plays and watching many professional matches, I know you're right as long as I'm not playing against Ma Long, Tim Boll, et al. Haha, I'm not planning to. And I'd say this to those who wanted proof: why don't you compile your disproof and show it to the rest of us while leaving Tom with more time to create more useful videos? The wonderful thing about the free world we live in: to each their own. We're free to agree or disagree, whichever would make us better, (a better player in this case). Look forward to more of your (Tom's) videos!

[@adelzien6681]

I'm new to the game and i have been playing this server lately and you video helped me improve it so thank you very much

[@chandraa6157]

This really helps. Thank you so much!!

[@tarunsingh5085]

That was good i was really struggling with the return of the service.so now i am going to go to the club today n try this flick n top spin..thank you so much.

[@volkanatar4232]

Thank you very much this video is really helpful :)

[@LJRichard80]

Thank you for sharing this useful approach

[@mechneer312]

Thank you coach ! It s very helpful , I'll try

[@galointsch]

this video changed my life, well - just the way i play table tennis, but still: thanks tom!

[@9650045227]

You teach very well. Its nice to learn from you.

[@ChTTay]

Fantastic videos! Keep them coming

[@erikjacobsen3205]

Fantastic advice! I started doing this 2 months ago and lost a bunch of points at first but it's starting to pay off!

[@TomLodziak]

Yes, it does need quite a bit of practice, but definitely worthwhile in the long run.

[@zubairshams]

Thank you for the training video. I will try to put this into practice.

[@petricamihai-gavril671]

I will try this today, I am the newest to a club in my town in Denmark. I hope it will make me more confident. Thank you

[@marvendionaldo3981]

Thanks for the video. I learn from it.

[@movakalin5333]

Thanks a lot!! Your channel is really helpful!!

[@jcjensenllc]

Will try it. TY.

[@yinyangthang]

Excellent--thanks, coach!!!

[@KenHarrington32]

Great advice as usual Tom, I'm struggling with a couple of guys where their serves are getting the better of me................Topspin is the order of the day mate, Thanks.

[@marleiserashford396]

Thanks. Great lesson.

[@richardvanderleeden930]

Amazing, thank you!

[@bobyorke]

Thanks. Im going to try it

[@wilkinru]

I saw this a month ago and I thought this was a silly idea. I've changed my mind and am trying to do this with every shot. Not every topspin is very powerful, some not at all but I like the idea of having this game plan. If the ball really is short and heavy I can always push as a last resort.

[@TomLodziak]

Really happy you have given it a go. As you say, it's not as though you have to topspin everything, especially those shorter serves, but it's very reassuring to know you can topspin serves if you want to. It can be a game-changer.

[@eloimumford5247]

@@TomLodziak , well said , i testify your strategy gives me a lot a points specially in doubles because people are surprised to see the ball coming back against a good server using a huge amount of spin.

[@edykusnaedi6249]

Thank you good information and useful.

[@flagella1337]

None of these serves produced any heavy spin thus making top spin return easy...

[@Wally-H]

Agreed but whilst this may not always work at higher levels of the game, this is a very useful approach for club players playing in local leagues. I only play in division 4 of my local league and I find that I can return most serves using a backhand top spin flick. At this level serves are usually short of pace, so I can just skip sideways to get into position to play it. What I like is the fact I can angle my return to make life difficult for the server - where I put it depends on where they are standing, of course. If they serve it long down my forehand side I simply hit a top / side spin return with good pace. If I catch it right I often win the point without having to play another shot.

[@Lightzy1]

None of the serves you have to deal with at the club have heavy spin either. no biggie.

[@Farweasel]

Look again ....... Some did.

[@tj3533]

@@Farweasel They had some light spin, however nothing special.

[@CartoonyPirate]

"Dudes. Yous all using them big word like 'Thus', or 'Whilst'." -Beast boy

[@jailbreakpro3679]

Thank you for this video

[@julianfaustjulian8384]

Before watching this Video I was blocking everything, I got every serve but I was very defensive. Now I'm going to try the topspinning out.

[@kevinkleinhenz6511]

Not a high ranking player by any means but this is so true. I made up my mind when playing tricky servers I would only return top spin. I lost several games until my shots started to land, after that it was game on! Of course there are high levels where this does not work but for my level and a little above this works great for putting your opponent on defense.

[@sanjeebshahi6244]

Thnk u so much sirrr..🙏🙏🙏this is the best video here in internet

[@JCLA9]

I really like your channel. Thanks for your videos.

[@user-mw5rz6ws2b]

Thanks! I'll try topspin receives starting today😋

[@michelelollo5459]

Thanks Tom!

[@dylanwright8573]

Can you do a video on how to do a forehand/backhand flick as I cannot get the technique right and I feel it would help me win a lot more points! Thanks!

[@TomLodziak]

I'll add this to my list.

[@juy3541]

Great advice. I played an defensive player and can't beat him because of the spin he can creat and the pips out from BH. I'll play with him again and try to TS all his serve next time.

[@masterspin7796]

This is starting to work for me, give it time and stick with the program, my level is going up.

[@TomLodziak]

Great to hear. Keep going and it will get easier and easier to do.

[@user-lx4ox9yx2i]

Thumbs up! Good stuff! I fully agree with you on this point that returning backspin or side spin serves is really hard and tough job to do. I think this is everyone's weakness and flaw. You address this issue by topspin stroke. How about short serve? How would you return it short serve? I appreciate that. Cheers!

[@vaidasmasys3764]

Thank you for this great video. I never thought that this kind of approach could be useful but I will give it a go. I just would have added that sometimes you might be a little bit out of position for short serves and it can be just too late to do a flick because with flicks timing is everything. So in that case you do a push and tell your self 'I will topspin the next one'. I am trying to use less blocks and do more topspin shots with my forehand and every time I make a block I imagine how next time I use forehand topspin on that shot. Surprisingly it seems to help a lot.

[@TomLodziak]

Yes, you need good timing with a flick. But if you are already in the mindset to flick or topspin, you will find that you react to those short serves a little quicker.

[@EclipZeMuzik]

i really like this keep up the good work!

[@JoseRamirez-yd2gz]

I just backspin everything, works fine usually..,

[@shariful-islam-2008]

Super secret for any kinds serve even though if you can't read the serve. Thanks @Tom

[@myson2525]

I'll certainly give it a try!

[@maryamshinwarienglishlesso2356]

Hi sir, I am from Afghanistan and I love this game so much and I learned a lot things from your videos thank you sir.

[@user-jd1ym2ez9v]

Merci pour les conseils 👍😉

[@enohebai3029]

I've learned a lot from you

[@rishabhbhatia1847]

This might be good for novice servers. Once you receive heavy backspin short serves topspining them is very difficult unless you have an advanced flick in your arsenal.

[@smitheshn6637]

Very useful........ Thanks

[@abdulahadsohel7653]

you are really genious sir,,,,thank you for saying my problem sir

[@zainhussein1975]

Thanks a lot Subscribed & liked

[@praveenbhide]

great video. very helpful.

[@alicreation6816]

Thanks, I'm gonna try it

[@LeroyDmelloMCT]

This approach has benefited me a lot and the win ratio against the best players has increased significantly, although it takes time to find the right way to this approach but it totally worth it Thanks

[@TomLodziak]

Thanks Leroy. Agreed, this isn't something you can pick up straight away. It needs lots of practice, but when it starts working it can make a big difference.

[@awaisbhatti7393]

My advice is to return every spin by chopping and that too by aiming in the middle of the table.

[@nimamt8664]

great.very useful video

[@tonycorazonoficial8692]

Excelente. Thanks 👍🏼

[@murali.paddlerz]

You cannot topspin a heavy short underspin especially on the FH side. What you said makes sense for long serves.

[@TomLodziak]

It is possible. You can do a forehand flick or a backhand flick. Not easy, but it is possible.

[@scribendi777]

I've seen those 'flicks' and they're deadly..

[@LeoTaxilFrance]

Oh, yes, one can! Just watch matches and you'll see a lot of topspin for a heavy short underspin. And especially on the FH side.

[@bobyorke]

Oh yes you can. With the correct technique

[@bbogdanmircea]

Try topspinning Ma Lin's ghost serve lol...

[@rudylion1469]

Hello Tom, Does this also apply to flat spin balls that hit the center of the plate?

[@kgfogable]

Life gives you lemons Topspin it 🔥🔥

[@prabinlamsal5125]

haha

[@monicazy3493]

Thanks love this vid

[@kohakuyosuke3018]

Thank you so much for the help I will surely try it on practice

[@magdiosman3662]

Nice tips

[@bisaaja3815]

I like topspin to attack......., but i have not mastered, my friend suggest to use wrist to create accelaration is it tru? thank for the tutorial coach tom.

[@falf2]

Do you suggest me any video about defending of two bounces serves? This approach works in this case? Thx.

[@saibaldas8407]

Very useful

[@roncatastrophe-6487]

master of all masters

[@vitaeworld874]

I have great struggle in returning short slow low sidespin serves on my forehand side corner where the ball spins towards outside the table. Can you suggest options what I should do apart from top spin return as it's difficult to top spin this most of the times as the ball comes low below the net. Banana flick helps a bit but again since I've not mastered it the returning ball rises high

[@rafishaikh3598]

Very , very DETAILED PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. THANKS SIR. RAFI KITTERY MAINE USA

[@DRIFTERYZ250F]

Good video, but....> all serves you did was "long" and quite "high" - I mean, ball would not fall on table 2-3 times. On short and spin serve you can not use topspin return...

[@antonyang7273]

Tom, what rubber is your team mate using on this video? I believe that not all rubbers can do top spin easily for receive heavy underspin

[@akacaleb]

Why not? Underspin is already spinning the ball in a top spin direction from returners point of view. They’ve done most of the work for you.

[@elisanabria2068]

Los servicios utilizados en el video son muy sencillos, fáciles de contestar...

[@juergenengel]

Thanks Tom! I am not a beginner and still find this approach very useful! I have made my own experiments with it and it was really useful! Surely, not recipe is going to very in every situation and still this one is helpful for me!

[@rameshpk7719]

nice tips

[@haehne]

your suggestion implies that one sees/knows what kind of spin is on the ball/serve. but that is exactly the main problem in most cases, good servers conceal the spin, which makes it hard to anticipate...

[@TomLodziak]

Yes, you are right. You need to be able to read the spin. I have a video on this too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqeZloapj8d_m5Y - But as you get better reading the spin, then taking a topspin approach to returning serves becomes possible.

[@innovativemedicine45]

Superb

[@pascalbleval7215]

I usually do have less difficulty top spinning serves than backspinning them, so your approach seems about right. Problem is with short serves or too fast and spinny serves, for me. As soon as the other player knows the kind of serves i dislike, im toast... lack of concentration is my ennemy, id say.

[@TomLodziak]

Have you watched my video on attacking short backspin serves? It could help...kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6XUn2d8hqaGhKs

[@brenoakiy]

this works for well for long serves, however, it won't work for serves such as a short backspin heavy serve

[@yuritricky1742]

Watching your videos with pleasure in Russia:)

[@toms9864]

Hopefully you solved my major problem.

[@hectorsgarciam9514]

Final thoughts: Your student kicked your butt LOL. Awesome video! Thank you!!!

[@kevinholmes2013]

I use your training videos to get better in virtual reality, this one in particular helped more than any! All of your lessons can be used in virtual reality (Eleven table tennis) and i would pay for a coach in VR......

[@TomLodziak]

I've had a few requests for coaching in Eleven table tennis, but sadly I just don't have the time outside my usual coaching commitments. But glad my videos still help.

[@kevinholmes2013]

@@TomLodziak Beyond help, I suggest your videos to anyone who wants to know how i have improved so quickly.

[@RobertoCostas]

I could help you, if you wish. I am a coach in two clubs IRL and give private lessons too. But I also have the VR game and have given a lot of advice in it to other players and even coached friends.

[@LeoTaxilFrance]

Thanks for keeping your promise and for the demonstration. One question remains unresolved, as it seems to me. The problem of sidespin combined with other spins. I mean, it seems to me, that your partner DO takes into account, IN ADVANCE, the direction of the sidespin and adapts the angle of his bat accordingly. Is there any simplified approach for resolving the problem of the presence of sidespin in a serve without having detected it in advance? And one more question. What should one keep in mind while "topspinnig" against a serve? I mean, a weak spin means a high ball that would be easily attacked by a partner. A powerful spin comes often in the net, on the other hand.

[@TomLodziak]

Good questions. (1) James is a very experienced player, so was easily able to adapt his bat angle depending on what serve I was doing. His was able to read the service spin and adapt. I'm not sure there is a short-cut for this. You need lots of practice, against many different players and you really need to watch the serve. (2) To answer your second question, try to focus on placement. You need spin + good placement (rather than power). If you can get good placement, even if your return if little soft, you will still put your opponent under pressure most of the time.

[@LeoTaxilFrance]

Thanks for the answer! Several weeks ago you said that is more or less always possible to use a topspin "against" a serve and since I have beet trying to do it and have been watching the same technique in matches. And I discovered, that high level players use it quite often. And my experience made it clear very soon that it is a very good solution that gives a lot of confidence and permits to concentrate on other issues. But. The presence of sidespin "kills" the effect. And I hoped, that the powerful topspin will neutralize the sidespin. As it seems it is not true. Plus, the presence of sidespin makes the DISiRED placement of the ball IMPOSSIBLE if one does not adapt the angle of the bat. It seems to me TODAY, that one can have a good repsonse ONLY if one knows IN ADVANCE all the serves of his partner. Like you and your partner. Like international players who know the serves of their possible competitors. I mean in serious situation each player uses only serves he is really sure of. And they are maximum 3 for each player. But if you start to play with someone UNKNOWN to you than it would be difficult to "respond" to his serves at the beginning.

[@TomLodziak]

It is true, that a new opponent with different looking serves can make you feel uncertain. But the more you play, the more you get used to all kinds of serves. And you can apply your knowledge of one opponent's serves and apply it to another player's serves and you very quickly adapt. Eventually it becomes much rarer that you are see a completely new type of serve. So it sounds like you are on the right path. Just keep practising against different opponents with different serves.

[@tobywoolgar9517]

Hi good video what size lens did you use in the game example when filming this?

[@TomLodziak]

I use a Panasonic HC-VX1.

[@tobywoolgar9517]

@@TomLodziak thanks i want to film matches in the future

[@rckbandfan]

How do you choose which direction to direct the swing based on the type of serve? Side spin is what I’m specifically meaning.

[@TomLodziak]

If you struggle with sidespin serves, try aiming for the middle of the table. If you aim for the middle, the ball should land on the table somewhere. Over time, you will get better at reading sidespin serves and adjusting the direction of your shot.