Service combinations to confuse your opponents (with Craig Bryant)

Summary

In this instructional video, top coach and pro player Craig Bryan shares expert tips on effective service combinations in table tennis. He demonstrates how to mix spins and placements to maximize pressure on opponents, using techniques such as short serves to the backhand followed by long, fast serves down the line. Bryan emphasizes the importance of maintaining similar techniques for different serves to confuse opponents and suggests adapting serve strategies based on the opponent's response. He also covers combining side spin with backspin and topspin, and the strategic use of different parts of the table to exploit an opponent's weaknesses. The video, sponsored by Drybar Table Tennis, encourages viewers to explore various serve techniques and combinations to find what works best for them.

Takeaways

• 🎾 Use a combination of short and long serves to exploit your opponent's movement capabilities.
• 🔄 Keep the serving technique similar for different types of serves to make it harder for the opponent to predict.
• 🏓 Serve short to the backhand and long down the line to cover two extreme positions on the table.
• 🕒 Delay the reveal of the serve type by staying flat until the last moment to reduce the opponent's reaction time.
• 📊 Analyze your serve effectiveness by determining which serve wins more points and adjust your strategy accordingly.
• 🌀 Introduce spin variations to confuse the opponent, such as switching from backspin to no-spin or topspin.
• 💡 Use the opponent's reactions to your serves to decide when to change the spin or type of serve.
• 🔄 Combine side spin with backspin or topspin, and adjust based on how the opponent deals with the spin.
• 📍 Utilize different parts of the table for serves to find the opponent's weak spots.
• 🔑 Experiment with various serve techniques and combinations to discover what works best for your game.
• 👋 Thank Craig Bryant for sharing his expertise in table tennis and consider visiting his website for coaching services.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video featuring Craig Bryan?

The main focus of the video is to teach viewers how to do effective service combinations in table tennis to put opponents under pressure.

What are the two types of serves Craig Bryan discusses in the video?

Craig Bryan discusses the short serve to the backhand and the long, fast serve down the line as the two types of serves.

Why is it important to keep the technique similar for different serves?

Keeping the technique similar for different serves is important to prevent giving away the type of serve to the opponent by showing the racket angle too early.

How can a player determine the effectiveness of their short serve versus their long serve?

A player can determine the effectiveness by analyzing whether they are winning more points on the short serve or the long serve.

What is a float serve in table tennis?

A float serve, also known as a no-spin serve, is a serve where the ball is hit with minimal spin, causing it to 'float' unpredictably after bouncing.

How can a player adjust their serve strategy based on their opponent's performance?

A player can adjust their serve strategy by observing how their opponent deals with different serves and then changing the type of serve or spin to exploit the opponent's weaknesses.

What is the purpose of combining side spin and backspin serves?

Combining side spin and backspin serves is a strategy to confuse the opponent and create different opportunities by keeping the technique similar but changing the ball's behavior after bouncing.

Why is it beneficial to use different parts of the table for serving?

Using different parts of the table for serving can exploit an opponent's weaknesses in certain areas, such as the forehand, backhand, or crossover area.

What are some additional service techniques mentioned in the video?

Additional service techniques mentioned include using the pendulum serve from different sides and the reverse serve.

How can players find out more about Craig Bryan's coaching services?

Players can find out more about Craig Bryan's coaching services by visiting his website at topedgetabletennisdoctor.co.uk.

Who sponsored the video featuring table tennis tips from Craig Bryan?

The video was sponsored by Drybar table tennis.