3 KILLER Serves for ALL Players | Learn to Serve Effectively

Summary

This video introduces three effective table tennis serves suitable for all skill levels. The first serve, the forehand pendulum, uses a pinch grip and wrist flick to create side spin. The second, the tomahawk serve, involves an angled grip and arm motion to produce side and top spin. The third, the hook serve, focuses on arm movement and body twist to generate varying spins. Each serve is explained with tips on execution and practice, helping players enhance their game. Subscribe for more tutorials and advanced techniques like the ghost serve.

Takeaways

• 🏓 The Pendulum Forehand Serve, also known as the Side Spin Serve, is a crucial skill for all table tennis players.
• 🤚 Use a pinch grip for the Side Spin Serve, not the shake hand grip used in other shots.
• 👍 Keep a relaxed grip and focus on accelerating your wrist when contacting the ball to generate spin.
• 🎾 Aim for the middle of the bat and aim low to the table to create a serve that is difficult for opponents to return.
• 🌐 Contact the side of the ball to create side spin, flicking your wrist upwards.
• 🏸 Practice by focusing on the motion of flicking the wrist and aiming for the middle of the back while serving.
• 🔄 The Tomahawk Serve is versatile and suitable for beginners and intermediate players, allowing for easy spin application.
• 🔄 Angle your bat slightly for the Tomahawk Serve to mimic the motion of throwing a tomahawk.
• 🔄 Maintain a strong grip and brush the ball while maintaining stability for the best spin in the Tomahawk Serve.
• 🤚 The Hook Serve is a more complex technique that involves a normal shake hand grip and a hooking motion at the ball.
• 🔄 Vary the spin in the Hook Serve by changing the bat angle to confuse opponents and add unpredictability to your game.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the first serve described in the video?

The first serve is the pendulum forehand serve, also known as the sidespin serve, which relies heavily on wrist flicking to create spin on the ball.

What grip is recommended for the pendulum forehand serve?

A pinch grip is recommended, where the thumb is at the top, the pointer finger is along the side of the backhand, and the rest of the fingers form a C shape.

How should you position your body for the pendulum forehand serve?

You should stand horizontal to the table, throw the ball up, and wait for it to get low before serving.

What variations can be added to the pendulum forehand serve to make it more effective?

You can vary the spin by adding backspin, pure sidespin, or sidespin topspin by adjusting how you contact the ball.

What is the key technique in performing the tomahawk serve?

The key technique involves using your normal grip, angling the bat slightly, and brushing the side of the ball while maintaining stability and a strong grip.

How should you move your arm when executing the tomahawk serve?

You should bend your elbow and straighten your arm like throwing a tomahawk, focusing on accelerating right when the ball comes down.

What spin variations can be achieved with the tomahawk serve?

You can achieve sidespin topspin, sidespin backspin, or purely sidespin by adjusting where you hit the ball and how you brush it.

What grip is used for the hook serve?

The normal shakehand grip is used for the hook serve, with the thumb and pointer finger on the racket handle and the rest of the fingers gripping the handle.

What body movement is involved in executing the hook serve?

Executing the hook serve involves bringing your arm back and powering forward while twisting your body to generate spin.

How can the spin be varied in the hook serve?

You can vary the spin by changing the bat angle and where you hit the ball, allowing you to create sidespin, topspin, or backspin.

Outlines

00:00

🏓 Master the Pendulum Forehand Serve

The first serve introduced is the Pendulum Forehand Serve, also known as the side spin serve. This serve requires flicking the wrist to create spin on the ball. A pinch grip is recommended, with a relaxed hold for better wrist acceleration. The key is to contact the side of the ball to generate side spin, standing horizontal to the table, and waiting for the ball to drop to ensure a low serve. Practicing the wrist flick and varying the spin by hitting different parts of the ball can make this serve more effective.

05:00

🏓 Perfect Your Tomahawk Serve

The Tomahawk Serve is ideal for all playing levels due to its ability to generate significant spin. Using a normal grip, the bat should be slightly angled to the right, simulating a tomahawk throw. Stability and brushing the ball are crucial for maximum spin. Depending on where the ball is hit, you can create side spin, top spin, or back spin. Beginners should start by practicing the wrist movement before incorporating the full arm motion to vary the spin and improve serve quality.

🏓 Learn the Hook Serve

The Hook Serve is another essential serve, especially effective due to its spin versatility. Using a shake hand grip, the serve involves hooking the ball with the arm and body twist to generate side spin. The racket angle can be adjusted to create top spin or back spin, adding an element of deception. The key is to aim for the middle of the bat, wait for the ball to drop, and power forward with the arm to achieve the desired spin. This serve relies more on the arm than the wrist.

🏓 Conclusion and Additional Resources

The video concludes with a recap and encouragement to subscribe to the channel for more tutorials. Viewers are invited to like the video and check out a professional tutorial on the ghost serve by Anders Lind. The ghost serve is highlighted as another valuable technique to learn, with a link provided for further viewing. The video ends with a sign-off and a promise of more content in the future.

Keywords

💡Pendulum Forehand Serve

The Pendulum Forehand Serve, also known as the side spin serve, is a technique in table tennis where the player uses a flicking motion of the wrist to impart spin on the ball. This serve is crucial for creating a challenging return for the opponent. In the video, it is emphasized that the player should use a pinch grip and aim for the middle of the bat, contacting the side of the ball to create side spin.

💡Pinch Grip

A pinch grip is a specific way of holding the racket in table tennis, where the thumb is at the top point, a finger is along the side of the backhand, and the rest of the fingers are cupped. This grip is recommended for the pendulum forehand serve as it allows for better control and acceleration of the wrist, which is essential for creating spin. The script mentions that this grip should be relaxed before accelerating on contact with the ball.

💡Side Spin

Side Spin is a type of spin applied to the ball in table tennis, which causes it to curve sideways. In the context of the pendulum forehand serve, the player aims to contact the side of the ball to create this spin, making the serve more challenging to return. The video script provides a detailed demonstration of how to flick the wrist and contact the side of the ball to achieve this effect.

💡Tomahawk Serve

The Tomahawk Serve is another serve technique in table tennis, characterized by a strong, sweeping motion similar to throwing a tomahawk. This serve is accessible to players of all levels and allows for the application of significant spin. The script describes how to angle the racket, brush the ball, and maintain stability throughout the serve to achieve optimal spin.

💡Normal Grip

A normal grip, also known as the shake hand grip, is a common way of holding the racket in table tennis. It involves the thumb on one side and the remaining fingers gripping the handle. This grip is used for the tomahawk serve, as it provides a strong and stable base for executing the sweeping motion required for this serve.

💡Back Spin

Back Spin is a type of spin in table tennis where the racket contacts the ball underneath, causing the ball to spin backward. The script mentions that back spin can be applied to the tomahawk serve by cutting underneath the ball, adding another layer of difficulty for the opponent to predict and return the serve.

💡Hook Serve

The Hook Serve is a complex serve technique that involves a digging or hooking motion with the racket. This serve is effective for applying various spins, such as side spin, top spin, or back spin, and can confuse the opponent. The script explains how to use the normal grip and execute a power forward motion with the arm and body to achieve this serve.

💡Racket Angle

The angle at which the racket is held during a serve can significantly affect the type of spin applied to the ball. The script discusses how changing the racket angle can result in different spins, such as side spin, top spin, or back spin, making the serve more unpredictable and challenging for the opponent.

💡Acceleration

Acceleration in the context of table tennis serves refers to the rapid increase in speed and force applied to the racket as it contacts the ball. This is crucial for imparting spin and power to the serve. The script emphasizes the importance of accelerating the wrist for the pendulum forehand serve and the arm for the hook serve.

💡Ghost Serve

The Ghost Serve is a specialized serve technique mentioned in the video, which is known for its deceptive nature. The script suggests that viewers can learn this serve from a collaboration with Anders Lind, indicating that it is a serve that can be particularly challenging for opponents to read and return.

💡Serve Variation

Serve variation is the practice of altering the type, speed, and spin of a serve to keep the opponent guessing. The script discusses how different serves, such as the pendulum forehand serve, tomahawk serve, and hook serve, can be varied by changing the spin or angle of the racket, making the player's serve more unpredictable.

Highlights

Introduction to three killer serves for all playing levels.

First serve: Pendulum forehand serve, also known as the side spin serve.

Importance of using a pinch grip for the pendulum serve.

Technique for creating side spin with the pendulum serve by flicking the wrist.

Standing position and timing for the pendulum serve to keep the serve low.

Variation of spins in the pendulum serve: backspin, side spin, and top spin.

Second serve: Tomahawk serve, suitable for beginners and intermediate players.

Using the normal grip for the tomahawk serve.

Technique for creating spin with the tomahawk serve by brushing the ball.

Variation of spins in the tomahawk serve: side spin, top spin, and back spin.

Third serve: Hook serve, good for putting on a lot of spin.

Using the shake hand grip for the hook serve.

Technique for creating spin with the hook serve by hooking the ball.

Variation of spins in the hook serve: side spin, top spin, and back spin.

Encouragement to subscribe to the channel and like the video.

Recommendation to watch a tutorial by Anders Lind on the ghost serve.

Transcripts

welcome back to the channel here are

three killer serves for all playing

levels if you want to get better at

table tennis then watch this video first

serve is the pendulum forehand serve or

commonly known as a sid spin serve this

serve relies heavily on flicking your

wrist and putting spin on the ball so

that means you want to use a pinch grip

you don't want to use your shake hand

grip which you use for other shots you

want to use your pinch grip thumb at the

top point a finger along the side of the

back hand and the rest of your fingers

just C up you want to keep a relaxed

grip it's all about accelerating your

wrist when you come in contact with the

ball so you want to keep relaxed and

then accelerate aim for the middle of

the bat and aim low to the table so to

this serve you want to contact the side

of the ball to create the side spin

flick your wrist contact the side flick

upwards like that I recommend standing

horizontal to the table throwing the

ball up and waiting for the ball to get

low that will create a serve that's low

to the table and a much more harder

serve for your opponent to return so

wait for the ball to drop keep a relaxed

grip and then just start moving your arm

softly in this Direction you don't want

to use your whole arm to create the

sides spin just want to move it slightly

the main thing is in the wrist so when

the ball is at the right height loaded

the table around here you want to

accelerate your wrist grip hard between

your fingers and your thumb and

accelerate on the side of the ball this

will create the Sid Spin and hence make

the Sid spin serve good way to practice

this is just doing this motion here

throwing the ball up getting the timing

aiming for the middle of the back

whilst flicking your wrist you can also

see how much spin you're putting on the

ball by doing that you don't want to

serve long you just want to serve around

the middle of the table that way they'll

have to push it back short and you can

attack to make this serve even more

effective you can change the spin

slightly so you can put on Back Spin Sid

spin hitting underneath the ball still

with the Sid spin motion but cutting

underneath you can make purely Sid spin

so you're hitting the side of the ball

like like so brushing on the side and

flicking your

wrist or you can make Sid spin toss

spins so you're brushing the side and

the top of the ball going around the

ball which puts toss spin on the

serve the next killer serve that is

great for any playing level is the

tomahawk serve you can put on a lot of

spin very easily so it's great for

beginners or intermediate players unlike

the S spin pendulum serve you're going

to be using your normal grip that you

use for other shots you want to angle

your bat you don't want it perfectly

straight you want to slightly curve it

that way so I'm using my wrist and

angling it slightly to the right then

it's like you're throwing a tomahawk

bending at the elbow and throwing it out

throwing your racket out you want to

keep a strong grip it's all about

brushing the ball and maintaining

stability throughout the serve to put on

the best spin you want to hit the side

of the ball closest to you throw the

ball up angle your back slightly to the

right then you'll hit the side of the

ball and curve round the ball and

that'll create the sides spin Top Spin

or SID spin Back Spin depends wherever

you hit it so for this serve you can

either stand facing your opponent or

cross I like to do a bit of either so

I'm standing kind of in the middle of

the two throw the ball up like the other

serve you want to wait for it to get low

follow the ball down bend your arm at

the elbow and then curve around the ball

with your bat slightly

angled you want to accelerate right when

the ball comes accelerate out straighten

your arm like you're throwing a

tomahawk if you're completely new to

this serve then you can just start out

by flexing your wrist up and then

straightening it and going on the side

of the

ball creating that toss spin once you

get better at this serve you can then

vary the spin so you can go over the

side and top of the ball putting on toss

spin Sid spin or you can cut underneath

the ball like so putting on sides spin

backs spin so we have sides spin TOS

spin hitting the

top we can go underneath the ball

creating Back Spin size of

him final killer serve that all players

need to learn is the hook serve this

serve is great again for putting on a

lot of Spin and it's pretty easy to pull

off if you're new to the sport again you

want to hold the racket like you're

doing your normal shot so the shake hand

grip thumb poter finger and the rest of

your fingers gripping onto the racket

handle this serve is a little bit more

complicated in its execution so you have

the normal shake hands grip and then

you're kind of digging hooking at the

ball underneath at the

side this is a great way to put on Sid

spin so you want to start back bring

your arm back and then power forward

with your arm whilst twisting your

body you can put on a lot of s spin TOS

Spin and Back Spin by changing the bat

angle so this way you can confuse your

opponent you can hit underneath the ball

and go over so it looks like you did TOS

spin when you actually did Back Spin or

you can do the opposite it put on TOS

Spin and then cut

underneath by the way you want to aim

for the middle of the bat come around

throw the ball up wait for the ball to

be low and then power forward changing

your racket angle slightly depending on

the spin you want to create put on side

spin you want to hit the side of the

ball power forward still want to brush

it you don't want to hit the ball too

hard then you can put on Back Spin by

cutting underneath the

ball then you can put on just Top Spin

going over the top of the ball

so you can vary it side spin Back Spin

or TOS spin just by slightly angling

your arm but this Serv is mostly your

arm not your wrist unlike the other two

so you're really using your arm twisting

your

body getting a lot of spin on the ball

okay guys I hope you have enjoyed this

video If you haven't subscribed

definitely subscribe to the channel if I

helped you out like the video if you

want to watch a tutorial by a

professional I collaborated with Anders

Lind he teaches you how to do the ghost

serve it's a great serve to learn then

click right here if not I'll see you

guys in the next one