How to return serves with a touch shot (with Paul Drinkhall)

In this video, pro player Paul Drinkhall, shows how to return serves with a forehand touch. This is a very short return of serve, usually when your opponent has served backspin or no-spin.
Ideally, a touch shot will stay low over the net and bounce twice or more on your opponent's side of the table. This makes it very difficult for your opponent to attack.
In the video, Paul explains how to do a touch shot, when to use a touch shot and how to follow up a touch shot with your own attack.
A touch shot requires very good feeling and timing. But if you can do it, you will have another option to put your opponent under pressure.
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This video is brought to you in partnership with Bribar Table Tennis bribartt.co.uk/?ref=8204
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PAUL DRINKHALL'S SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Twitter: / pdrinkhall
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Instagram: / paul_drinkhall
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[@charlesdang2557]

great video. was very useful when it first came out. Several years later, it's still a gem. Thanks, Tom!

[@rogerhance5883]

Good video. These videos that you do with Paul and Craig are brilliant.

[@washnery]

Thanks for teach and help us. A fan from Brazil.

[@guillermoortiz6233]

Thanks Tom, I've been watching your videos for something like 6 months and in that time I've gained such a level that my coach is very happy and is putting me with the best of the best in my "club" A fan from Chile!!!

[@TomLodziak]

Great to hear! I love to hear about player's improving. Happy to help in any small way I can. Keep up the training.

[@BaoNguyen-sm4xz]

this video is very helpfull, thank so much Tom

[@MarcelSM01]

Another gr8 vid, thxs. Currently trying this out myself during training.

[@marceloalmeidadebarros1740]

Thank you, very good job. I watch all yours video. My cousins are not understand why I winning all games at the very basic level of course just for fun, but it’s helping me a lot to improve my game and cope with quarantine kkkk I really appreciate thanks from Brazil

[@user-mk5bv8zn3p]

Thank you Tom for this amazing videos. your fan from Iraq 💜🙏

[@Waingro808]

thank you for this video. this is one of the least addressed topics in TT videos on youtube.

[@Pandametal_]

I really like this shot, I will try to use it more

[@PawelTableTennisenglish]

Good video! Well done boys!

[@sandeepbhandary7430]

Hi Tom, your videos are very helpful and I see myself much improved than I was 6 months ago in my techniques. Thanks from India!

[@TomLodziak]

Great to hear you are improving and thanks for watching!

[@lousyfication]

Alternative: Fast twiddle and "throw in" the long pips side of your racket. ;) Just kiddin' - thanks for the advice on how to deal with those serves! 👍

[@danielkorn1753]

P.S AWESOME VIDEO!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@TIEWCINDY]

Paul's attacks are pretty explosive and fast

[@Wally-H]

That's why he is a world class player

[@nachikethnarendran7581]

This video was excellent! Also, could you please make a video about how to deal with lobbers?

[@TomLodziak]

Hmm, I'm going to do some filming with Craig Bryant next week, so could do some lobbing / smashing. Should be fun!

[@Moodswing8]

Hi Tom I am fealing trouble to play topspin with my forehead. Can you give me some tips??

[@Rog5446]

Mr Drinkhall advised us to play the return on the outer edge of the bat and not on the centre of the bat. But in the Slo-Mo replay, replayed it on the centre????

[@Joygulplay]

Can you make a video about dealing with sidespin during rallies

[@jorgopetric4022]

You need to loop the ball

[@guohongtay27]

you will need good footwork and anticipation as well, else you will not get in the right position to loop or lob

[@sunnyyuen3237]

Just a suggestion.... Good to have the slow motion video showing where the ball hits the racket

[@animaysh]

Great stuff. I would like to see some FH and BH push fundamentals from Paul too. e.g. your FH push at 4:00 looks like mine but I know it could be better in terms of getting lower/closer to the ball;)

[@TomLodziak]

Noted. I'll add that to my list. But you are right - keeping low is really important when pushing. And I stand too tall! When I remember to stay low I can push with far more control.

[@jasper8368]

@@TomLodziak hey I saw the thrashing footage of you against Paul, I think you need to serve to different areas instead of serving to the exact same spot a lot

[@readisgooddewaterkant7890]

very good app you have for phone.

[@omkark6185]

What do you mean

[@anjanabohara5799]

Can you keep the video of shooting the inside serves

[@anantagrawal2488]

Best

[@isolatorhk]

How about backhand touch shot? I find it a lot more difficult.

[@eloimumford5247]

Paul/Tom , is it similar to a chop block but with less agressivity ?

[@TomLodziak]

No not really. A touch and chop block are quite different techniques used in different situations. A touch is a much lighter contact when the ball is short. A chop block is a more aggressive movement against a topspin ball.

[@manisubramani4227]

Hi Tom, can the bat accidentally touch the board during the match and it's accepted? Or does it cost a point?

[@TomLodziak]

It's ok if your bat touches the table, but not your free hand.

[@manisubramani4227]

@@TomLodziak thank you for confirming, my friends cutting my points off if I accidentally touch the board with bat when the ball is too low. I know what to do now. 😀

[@anjanabohara5799]

Money for delivery?

[@hedoublehockeysticks4232]

can you return a touch shot with a touch shot? Because then you cant spike.

[@TomLodziak]

Yes. And you often see pro players start rallies in this way. Both players are trying to keep the ball very short to make it harder for the other player to attack.

[@kdgr]

🏓👍

[@exoticamokokchung3521]

Hello IAM Exotica MOKOKCHUNG.. please do a video without your intro..🎖️

[@danielkorn1753]

First comment

[@readisgooddewaterkant7890]

well done

[@danielkorn1753]

Thanks

[@michaszostak5757]

why play tenis

[@hectorherbert6585]

way too much talking & explaining on this one instead of actual moves..!!