The Reverse Pendulum Serve: 3 Easy Steps, 3 Common Problems! (TB EP. 14)

Summary

In this video, Luke offers a step-by-step guide to mastering the reverse pendulum serve in table tennis. He emphasizes the importance of wrist acceleration, practicing the motion over the table, and using body movement for a low serve. Common mistakes, such as touching the ball too far in front and incorrect elbow positioning, are also addressed.

Takeaways

• 🏓 Start with wrist acceleration: The first step in mastering the reverse pendulum serve is to practice wrist and forearm acceleration without expecting too much from the ball.
• 🏸 Practice over the table: Next, practice the serve motion over the table to get the feel of the acceleration and not worry about the ball being too high initially.
• 🌐 Focus on body movement: The third step is to integrate body movement into the serve, emphasizing that it's not just the arm but the whole body that helps keep the ball low.
• 🔄 Follow through with your body: A proper follow-through is crucial for a low serve, and it's important not to fall back too much but to move forward and maintain balance.
• 🚫 Avoid touching the ball too much in front: A common mistake is touching the ball too far in front, which can hinder the ability to camouflage the spin and serve effectively.
• 💪 Keep the elbow stable: Another common issue is pushing down with the elbow excessively, which should be avoided for a more natural and controlled pendulum motion.
• 👋 Wrist acceleration is essential: Contrary to some misinformation, wrist acceleration is key to a successful serve, and it's important to control the end point for better control.
• 🎯 Gradually integrate different spins: Start with what you're comfortable with, whether it's topspin or backspin, and gradually integrate more variety into your serve routine.
• 🤔 Be aware of body adjustments: Pay attention to how minor adjustments in body positioning can affect the serve, such as serving diagonally versus down the line.
• 🔄 Keep practicing for the 'click': Persistence is key in mastering the reverse pendulum serve, as the feeling of getting it right can come suddenly and significantly improve your serve.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The main focus of the video is to teach viewers how to perform a proper reverse pendulum serve in table tennis, highlighting common technical mistakes and providing a step-by-step guide.

What is the first step in learning the reverse pendulum serve?

The first step is to get the wrist acceleration right. This involves practicing the motion over the table without expecting much from the initial attempts, focusing on speed and rotation generated from the arm.

Why is it important to practice the acceleration on the table itself?

Practicing the acceleration on the table itself helps to get the feel of the motion and to understand how to get the ball over the net, even if initially the ball might be too high to serve into the table.

What is the third step in mastering the reverse pendulum serve?

The third step is to go into the serve with your body, focusing on the follow-through to ensure the ball stays low. This involves using the body to control the ball's trajectory rather than just relying on the arm.

Why is it crucial to avoid touching the ball too much in front of you during the serve?

Touching the ball too much in front of you can hinder the ability to camouflage the spin type (topspin or backspin) and can make the serve more predictable, which is a common mistake among beginners.

What is the common mistake made with the elbow during the reverse pendulum serve?

A common mistake is pushing down with the elbow instead of using it as a rotating point. This can lead to an exaggerated motion that is not ideal for a smooth and controlled serve.

What is the role of the wrist in the reverse pendulum serve?

The wrist plays a crucial role in the serve, providing acceleration. It is a misconception that there should be no wrist acceleration; instead, the wrist should stop its movement in time to control the serve.

Why is it important to follow through with the body during the serve?

Following through with the body helps to keep the ball low and ensures a smooth transition into the next shot. It also aids in maintaining balance and readiness for the subsequent play.

What are some common technical issues that players face when learning the reverse pendulum serve?

Common issues include touching the ball too much in front of the body, pushing down with the elbow instead of rotating, and misunderstanding the role of wrist acceleration in controlling the serve.

How can players gradually integrate more backspin serves into their routine?

Players can start by being comfortable with topspin serves and then gradually add backspin serves to their routine. They should also be aware of the differences in body movement and racket angle required for different types of serves.

Outlines

00:00

🏓 Mastering the Reverse Pendulum Serve

In this segment, Luke introduces the reverse pendulum serve technique and emphasizes the importance of wrist acceleration as the initial step. He advises practicing this motion over the table to get the feel of the acceleration without worrying about the ball's height. Luke also suggests focusing on the acceleration rather than the serve's outcome at first. The goal is to develop a smooth and controlled motion that can be applied to both topspin and backspin serves. He encourages viewers to practice this step multiple times to get comfortable with the motion before moving on.

05:01

🤔 Common Mistakes in Reverse Pendulum Serve

Luke discusses common technical mistakes made while executing the reverse pendulum serve. He points out that many players tend to touch the ball too far in front of them, which can hinder the serve's effectiveness and make it easier for opponents to predict. He advises using the shoulder as a guide to touch the ball at the correct point. Another common issue is the improper use of the elbow, where players push down excessively instead of using it as a rotating point. Luke emphasizes the need for a stable elbow to maintain control. Lastly, he addresses the misconception about wrist acceleration, clarifying that it is essential for a good serve and should not be completely eliminated. He encourages viewers to continue practicing to develop a feel for the serve and to avoid giving up too early.

10:02

💪 Integrating Backspin Serves and Overcoming Challenges

In the final paragraph, Luke encourages players to gradually integrate backspin serves into their routine, starting with what they are comfortable with and then expanding their repertoire. He advises being aware of the body's role in serving, particularly the importance of following through with the body to ensure the ball stays low. Luke also highlights the need to understand the differences between backspin and topspin serves, and how to transition between them effectively. He acknowledges the difficulty of mastering the reverse pendulum serve but encourages persistence, emphasizing that once the right feeling is achieved, everything will fall into place. He concludes by thanking viewers for their attention and expressing hope to see them in the next video.

Keywords

💡Reverse Pendulum Surf

The term 'Reverse Pendulum Surf' refers to a specific technique in table tennis where the player swings their racket in a pendulum-like motion to serve the ball. This technique is central to the video's theme as it is the primary focus of the instructional content. The video aims to correct common mistakes in executing this serve, emphasizing the importance of wrist acceleration and body movement.

💡Wrist Acceleration

Wrist acceleration is the rapid movement of the wrist to generate speed and spin on the racket, which is crucial in the reverse pendulum serve. The video script mentions practicing wrist acceleration over the table to get under the ball and generate the necessary speed and rotation, highlighting its importance in achieving a proper serve.

💡Forearm Acceleration

Forearm acceleration is the forward motion of the forearm that adds power to the racket swing. In the context of the video, it is mentioned alongside wrist acceleration as a key component in the initial steps of learning the reverse pendulum serve. It helps in generating the necessary speed for the ball to be served effectively.

💡Surf

In table tennis, 'surf' refers to the spin applied to the ball during a serve or stroke. The video script discusses the importance of getting the right surf, particularly in the reverse pendulum serve, to ensure the ball stays low and is difficult for the opponent to return. The term is used to describe the desired outcome of the serve technique.

💡Follow Through

Follow through is the continuation of the motion after making contact with the ball. The video emphasizes the importance of body follow through in the reverse pendulum serve to ensure the ball stays low and is served correctly. It is a critical aspect of the technique that helps in controlling the direction and spin of the serve.

💡Backspin

Backspin is a type of spin applied to the ball that causes it to move backwards after bouncing. The video script mentions practicing backspin serves as part of the learning process for the reverse pendulum serve. It is one of the spin variations that can be achieved using this serve technique.

💡Topspin

Topspin is the opposite of backspin, causing the ball to move forward after bouncing. The video script discusses the transition from backspin to topspin in the context of the reverse pendulum serve, indicating that mastering this transition is part of improving the serve technique.

💡Camouflage

In table tennis, 'camouflage' refers to disguising the type of spin or the direction of the serve to deceive the opponent. The video script mentions the importance of not touching the ball too much in front, which helps in camouflaging the serve, making it harder for the opponent to predict the spin or direction.

💡Elbow

The elbow plays a significant role in the reverse pendulum serve, as it acts as a pivot point during the swing. The video script warns against pushing down with the elbow excessively, which can disrupt the serve's effectiveness. Proper elbow positioning is crucial for a smooth and deceptive serve.

💡Technical Mistakes

Technical mistakes refer to errors in the execution of a table tennis serve or stroke. The video script identifies and discusses common technical mistakes in the reverse pendulum serve, such as touching the ball too much in front, pushing down with the elbow, and not having enough wrist acceleration. These mistakes can hinder the effectiveness of the serve.

💡Practice

Practice is emphasized throughout the video script as the key to mastering the reverse pendulum serve. The video encourages repeated attempts and gradual improvement, highlighting that consistent practice is necessary to achieve the desired technique and feel for the serve.

Highlights

Introduction to the reverse pendulum serve technique and its common technical mistakes.

Emphasis on the importance of wrist acceleration as the first step in mastering the reverse pendulum serve.

Practicing wrist and forearm acceleration without the ball initially to get the right feel.

Moving on to practice the acceleration on the table to get the ball over the net properly.

The third step involves integrating body movement to ensure the serve stays low on the table.

Discussion on the importance of following through with the body to achieve a low serve.

Advice on not falling back too much during the serve to maintain balance and control.

Explaining the difference between top spin and backspin serves and how to gradually integrate them.

Highlighting the need to be aware of body adjustments when serving diagonally versus down the line.

Addressing the common mistake of touching the ball too much in front during the serve.

The issue of using the elbow incorrectly by pushing down instead of maintaining a stable rotation point.

Clarifying the misconception about wrist acceleration in the reverse pendulum serve.

The importance of stopping the wrist movement in time to maintain control over the serve.

Encouragement to keep practicing despite the difficulty of mastering the reverse pendulum serve.

The video concludes with a reminder that feeling the difference in serve technique is crucial for improvement.

Transcripts

cam

Luke

[Music]

Luke

hello guys everybody so I'm uh

completely healthy fine and dandy and so

I welcome you again here to ANP to

kilong hall Hall of my sponsor and today

we're going to look at the reverse

pendulum surf there are some common

technical mistakes they occur quite a

lot and I hope with this video I'll sort

of give you like a step by step to how

you can really get to a proper reverse

pendulum surf so first of all try to get

the wrist acceleration right okay so

this should be your first step you want

to be able to get under this ball and

have this wrist and forearm acceleration

so just practice this a few times by

just doing this over the table okay so

don't expect much from it just as you

would like you know people checking

their rubber another rotation on the

rubber with this okay do the same but

the other way around and try to throw

the ball up a little bit so don't throw

it into your racket so really just have

the speed and this rotation let it yeah

be generated from this acceleration from

your arm so this try this a couple of

times see if the feeling is right and

then let's move on to the next

step okay next step is to try to

practice this acceleration on the table

itself Okay so we're going to do the

reverse pendulum surf we're going to try

it out a little bit okay so now you're

not just doing this acceleration but

we're more so really trying to get it

over the net so don't mind that the ball

is going to be too high that you're not

going to be able to serve into the table

yet okay this is not a problem yet at

first again as I said we're trying to

get this acceleration right and then

we'll look at the other problems that

will come up so here really just try to

get this see

I don't know if you can see it but it's

not a good surf whatsoever

so this I'm just trying to get the feel

of it to really be able to have my arm

to have o that

was you you'll get there you will get

there after at the end of this video no

so just try to get this acceleration a

few times try to get it over the Nets

and then yeah if that step is completed

let's try it a couple of times move on

to the next

step okay now we're looking at the third

step maybe even the last step already

and that is just to try to really go

into the serf with your body so just

follow through and that will make you

surf into the table we'll look into some

common technical mistakes just

afterwards but I just want to get you to

feel that it's not your arm or anything

that you have to serve into the table

with no it's your body that makes the

ball stay low I discussed this in

service 101 basically here I said yeah

okay a reverse pendulum surf like

this nice all all is good but then yeah

once you get really with your body and

you you do this follow through yeah then

you're going to surf nice and low the

way you want it to so then only

then you get a low surf how do you

follow through with your body I just say

yeah go forward don't fall backwards too

much okay don't fall backwards and go

down with it not only for the serve

itself but also for the ball afterwards

so afterwards you can get into this

neutral position of yours so as I said

again just get the rest the acceleration

of the wrist and form arm right then try

to try it out with a surf a little bit

and then follow through with your body

okay those three steps and you'll find

that there are some places on the table

that you're more comfortable uh

comfortable with normally I'd say that

either you're very comfortable at first

at least at first with serving Top Spin

and then afterwards with going backspin

if that is the case then do that

gradually integrate more backspin serves

into your routine okay or let's say if

the case is that you prefer to serve

down the line but you cannot serve

diagonal yet because you get

these double double touches and this

kind of stuff yeah then same thing as as

here okay so serve down the line and

then gradually move up and then try to

feel also for yourself what you what you

do differently when you try to serve 5

cm more to the left or to the right is

your body turning a little bit more can

you serf a bit more to the side and so

be aware of that and then you will see

that your improvement will be much

quicker because you know what is going

on it's not out of your hand so you know

you have full a full grasp of what is

going on and what you need to do to

change from Back Spin to Top Spin from

down the line to diagonal from diagonal

to down the

line now we're going to look at some

technical issues there are a few

I think we'll go over three of them and

the first one will be that you have to

be aware not to touch the ball too much

in front of you this is sort of a

stepping stone that a lot of people use

when they start out with this reverse

pendulum Surf and again it's it's a

question of I want to surf into the

table but I cannot get the feel of it at

the moment yet so what they will do is

they really touch the ball way too much

in front of them get underneath this

ball and as a sort of an attempt to yeah

really serf into the table but again

this is a stepping stone and you should

remind yourself that this is not the

correct way to do it so

here this is what a lot of people would

do so they would really throw the ball

completely in front of them and as I

said in service 2011 video which came

out not too long ago this is a problem

with camouflaging your surf okay if I

were to Surf Top Spin from here yeah

then there's not much that rest for me

yeah apart from yeah really changing my

racket angle way too much way too much

that is way too obvious so you don't

want to do that so instead try to have

your shoulder as a sort of a guideline

to where you want to touch the ball and

this applies to other serves as well but

in a reverse pendulum serve you notice

it more you notice it more when people

make that mistake so instead instead of

really throwing the ball up in front of

you you want to touch the

ball

here just in front of my shoulder okay

and that makes me be able to camouflage

Top Spin Back Spin much more much

better okay second issue is the elbow it

comes back again to the same problem of

people not knowing how to serf into the

table correctly yet so what they will do

is they find their own tricks and little

ways to make this ball stay low and the

second sort of problem they do is that

they will really push down with their

elbow instead of having this as as a

sort of rotating point they will

exaggerate and really push it on yeah

push it underneath the ball so they will

do

this again it's not so it's not it's not

ideal whatsoever and this guy over there

the guy behind the camera he's guilty of

it okay so he's smiling now but you know

he's he's not doing it correctly at

least but you want to have this okay of

course there's going to be some wiggle

room it's not going to stay perfectly

still you don't want that even but you

don't want to exaggerate with it okay so

this ex it should be more like a

pendulum where does the name come from

reverse pendulum surf okay so it

shouldn't be like this but instead you

want this elbow to be relatively stable

so once again try to do it

correctly see like

this again much easier to camouflage the

differences and uh yeah just better

overall

better third of all is the wrist should

you accelerate should you not accelerate

should you let it completely fly loose

or not it's not really a common very

common issue but it's something I want

to address nevertheless because I've

seen some misinformation online there is

one video quite popular though that says

that okay while you do this reverse

pendulum surf don't have any wrist

acceleration at

[Music]

all

[Music]

and that is just completely wrong okay

once somebody is telling you that you

cannot have any wrist acceleration when

serving just ignore them walk away or

yeah report them to the local

authorities doesn't matter but you want

of course wrist acceleration is yeah one

of the main key points of serving but

but I get where they come from in a way

because I think also serves they should

have a sort of an end point and if you

don't you're going to lose a lot of

control and that is the case with the

reverse pendulum surf because if you

were to Surf completely like this it's

not so easy to control it it's not so

easy to control it so that's where they

have this idea that here should be your

end uh your end point but if you look

closely there is still some acceleration

in the surf it's just that you stop the

movement in time no you stop the

movement in time and yeah it's not the

same as no acceleration whatsoever I'm

not advising you against just serving a

reverse pendulum surf with where you let

your wrist really just fly loose because

I think Zang jik he did it uh fandong

also they do it quite a bit like this so

it's not such a wrong way but I think

having this movement stop in time it is

more of an accessible way and I think

that is what my content is all about

trying to be accessible to a lot of

players okay guys that was the video

thank you very much for watching I know

a reverse pendulum surf is very tough is

a very tricky one and I think a lot of

people give up much too early but once

you get this click once you get this

difference in feeling and you know how

to serve into the table you know how to

still serve into the table when serving

with backspin then all of a sudden

everything becomes automatic so just

don't give up yet and just keep

practicing until you get this feeling

right that's also something I cannot

really tell you or coach you because

that is just something which happens

it's something with which happens with

every surf okay just one point you're

going to feel the difference and it's

just going to be a complete 180 a

complete turnaround okay so thank you

very much for watching and hopefully I

will see you in a next

video