How to do top quality BACKHAND serves (with Craig Bryant)

Summary

In this instructional video, top coach and pro player Craig Bryant shares expert tips on mastering the backhand serve in table tennis. He demonstrates techniques for backspin, side spin, and topspin serves, emphasizing the importance of variety in serving to confuse opponents. Craig explains how to use the backhand serve effectively in matches and provides insights on positioning and stroke execution for different types of serves. The video is sponsored by Bribe RTT, offering a wide range of table tennis equipment.

Takeaways

• 🏓 The video features coach and pro player Craig teaching various backhand serves in table tennis.
• 🎾 Having a variety of serves, including backhand serves, makes it more challenging for opponents.
• 🤔 The backhand serve can help reach different parts of the table that may be difficult with a forehand serve.
• 📍 Craig suggests standing slightly side-on and to the side of the middle line for a more natural backhand serve execution.
• 🔄 To achieve backspin, the racket should be flattened and contact made under the ball's front part.
• 🌀 Craig prefers combining side spin with backspin for a more deceptive serve.
• 👋 Contacting the ball on the way down helps in creating a mix of backspin and side spin.
• 🔄 For side spin, the contact should be slightly later, focusing on pulling across with the racket on the bottom part.
• 📈 Topspin is created by contacting the ball in the middle of the racket on the way up during the stroke.
• 🎯 The serve's stroke should look similar regardless of the spin type to make it difficult for opponents to read.
• 👉 Despite setting up for one type of serve, it's possible to vary the serve's length and placement to different areas of the table.

Q & A

Who is the main instructor in the video on backhand serves in table tennis?

The main instructor in the video is Craig, a top coach and pro player.

What types of backhand serves does Craig teach in the video?

Craig teaches backspin serves, side spin serves, and topspin serves.

How does the backhand serve differ from a forehand serve in terms of table coverage?

The backhand serve allows reaching different parts of the table that might be difficult to reach with a forehand serve, opening up different angles of play.

What is the recommended stance for executing a backhand serve according to the video?

The recommended stance is to stand slightly side on to the table, which provides more room for the backswing and a cleaner execution of the serve.

How does the video suggest creating backspin on the ball during a backhand serve?

To create backspin, the player should flatten the bat, look to contact the front part of the racket, and hit completely underneath the ball.

What combination of spin does Craig prefer to use for his backhand serve?

Craig prefers to use a combination of side spin and backspin for his backhand serve.

How does the timing of contact with the ball differ between backspin, side spin, and topspin serves?

For backspin, contact is made while the ball is on the way down. For side spin, contact is made slightly later, just as the player starts to pull across. For topspin, contact is made in the latter part of the stroke, on the way up.

What is the importance of having a similar stroke appearance for different types of serves?

A similar stroke appearance makes the serve trickier to read for the opponent, as it is harder to predict the type of spin being applied based on the initial setup.

How can the backhand serve be used to target the opponent's forehand side?

By setting up in a way that takes advantage of the right-hander's forehand side, the server can create a wider angle, even serving short to the backhand or long to the backhand by adjusting the contact point.

What is the sponsor of the video and what do they offer?

The sponsor of the video is 'BRIBE', a table tennis company offering a wide range of rubbers, blade bats, balls, and clothing from various table tennis brands.

Where can viewers find more information about Craig's coaching services?

Viewers can find more information about Craig's coaching services on his website at topedgetabletenniscoach.co.uk.