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

Tom Lodziak

25 Jun 201907:33

Summary

TLDRIn 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.

Outlines

00:00

🏓 Introduction to Backhand Serve Techniques

In this video, Tom Lesniak collaborates with top coach and professional player Craig Bryan to demonstrate various backhand serve techniques in table tennis. Craig will teach viewers how to perform backspin, side spin, and topspin serves, and discuss how to effectively utilize these serves in matches. The video is sponsored by Bribe RTT, offering a wide range of table tennis equipment. Tom emphasizes the importance of having a variety of serves to make it more challenging for opponents and explains the benefits of using backhand serves to reach different areas of the table. He also shares his personal stance preference for executing backhand serves, which involves standing slightly side-on to the table for a more natural swing and better access to different angles of play.

05:25

🎾 Mastering Serve Variations with Backhand Techniques

Craig Bryan continues the tutorial by explaining the nuances of creating backspin with a flat racket to hit under the ball, combining side spin with backspin for more deceptive serves, and the timing for different phases of the stroke to add variety and difficulty for opponents to read. He illustrates how to hit the ball at different stages of the stroke—downward for backspin, across for side spin, and upward for topspin—to create a serve that appears similar in setup but varies in effect. Craig also mentions that despite setting up for a particular serve, one can still vary the length and placement of the serve to keep the opponent guessing. The video concludes with acknowledgments to Craig for his coaching insights and to the video's sponsor, Bribe RTT. Tom invites viewers to subscribe for more content and provides information on how to learn more about Craig's coaching services.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Backhand Serve

A backhand serve in table tennis is a service technique where the player uses the back of their hand or the backside of the racket to make contact with the ball. It is a strategic move that can be used to reach different areas of the table and confuse the opponent. In the video, Craig explains that it can be advantageous to use the backhand serve to open up different angles of play, such as serving down the line, which might be uncomfortable with a forehand serve.

💡Variety in Serve

Variety in serve refers to the range of different service techniques a player can use to keep the opponent guessing and to exploit different areas of the table. The video emphasizes the importance of having a diverse set of serves, including backhand serves, to make it more difficult for the opponent to predict and return the serve effectively.

💡Backspin Serve

A backspin serve is a specific type of service where the ball is hit in such a way that it spins backward after being struck. This causes the ball to bounce away from the opponent, making it harder to return. Craig demonstrates how to achieve backspin by flattening the racket and hitting underneath the ball, which is a key technique in the video.

💡Side Spin Serve

Side spin serve is a technique where the player imparts a sideward rotation to the ball, causing it to curve as it travels towards the opponent. This can be combined with backspin to create a more deceptive and difficult-to-return serve. Craig mentions adopting a side-on position to create both backspin and side spin by hitting the bottom part of the racket.

💡Topspin Serve

Topspin serve is a service technique where the ball is hit in an upward motion, causing it to spin forward upon contact with the table. This results in a faster and more aggressive serve that can be challenging for the opponent to handle. Craig explains that topspin is created by contacting the ball in the middle of the racket and on the way up during the stroke.

💡Stance

Stance in table tennis refers to the position and orientation of the player's body in relation to the table. A proper stance can provide better balance and room for stroke execution. In the script, Craig mentions standing slightly side-on to have more room for a backswing, which is crucial for executing a backhand serve.

💡Contact Point

The contact point is the exact location on the racket where the ball is struck during a serve or a shot. It is crucial for controlling the spin, speed, and direction of the ball. Craig discusses varying the contact point on the racket to create different types of serves, such as hitting the front part for backspin or the middle for topspin.

💡Serving Angles

Serving angles refer to the direction and trajectory of the serve. By using different angles, a player can place the ball in various locations on the opponent's side of the table. Craig explains the benefits of using the backhand serve to open up different angles of play, such as serving short to the opponent's forehand or long to the backhand.

💡Racket Position

Racket position is how a player holds and positions their racket during a stroke. It affects the type of spin and direction of the ball. Craig demonstrates different racket positions for backspin, side spin, and topspin serves, showing how to flatten the racket for backspin and pull across for side spin.

💡Serving Strategy

Serving strategy encompasses the overall approach a player takes when serving, including the types of serves used and the intended effect on the opponent. The video focuses on using backhand serves effectively in matches, with Craig explaining how to combine different serves to keep the opponent off balance and exploit their weaknesses.

💡Sponsor

A sponsor is an individual, company, or organization that provides financial or other support for an event, activity, or production, such as a video. In this case, 'bribe our table tennis' is mentioned as the sponsor of the video, indicating their support for the content and the expertise shared by Craig.

Highlights

Tom Lesniak and Craig introduce a video on mastering backhand serves in table tennis.

Craig demonstrates techniques for backspin, side spin, and topspin serves.

Backhand serves can be used to reach different parts of the table, creating strategic advantages.

Tom discusses the benefits of having a variety of serves, making it harder for opponents.

Personal preference in stance and positioning for executing backhand serves is highlighted.

Craig explains the importance of room for backswing in the serving motion.

The technique for achieving clean backspin by flattening the bat and contacting the front part of the racket is shown.

Combining side spin with backspin is suggested for a more deceptive serve.

Craig demonstrates hitting the bottom part of the racket for side spin and backspin.

The timing of contact for side spin is discussed, emphasizing the importance of pulling across the ball.

Topspin serves are executed by contacting the ball in the middle of the racket on the way up.

Craig emphasizes the importance of making the stroke appear similar regardless of the type of spin.

The video covers how to serve to different areas of the table to keep opponents guessing.

Craig suggests starting with short forehand serves as a good practice point.

The video concludes with thanks to Craig for sharing his service tips and a call to action for viewers.

Information on Craig's coaching services and the sponsor, bribe our table tennis, is provided.

An invitation for viewers to subscribe for more videos and a farewell note is given.