Basic Serve in Table Tennis | PingSkills

Summary

In this PingSkills tutorial, Alois Rosario and Jeff Plumb break down the basics of serving in table tennis. They guide beginners through the essential steps, including proper ball and hand positioning, ensuring the ball bounces on both sides of the table, and the correct throw height. Key tips include maintaining a low and fast serve, hitting the ball on its back for speed, and keeping the bat steady during the serve. With practice, learners can master these foundational techniques, improving their serve and overall game. For more advanced lessons, visit PingSkills.com.

Takeaways

• 😀 Serve in Table Tennis must bounce on both your side and your opponent's side.
• 😀 To begin, start with your bat and ball close together and focus on just hitting the ball for a simple 'hit, bounce, bounce' practice.
• 😀 As you progress, ensure that the ball is behind the end line of the table when you serve.
• 😀 For a legal serve, the ball must be placed on the flat palm of your hand, not on your fingers or thumb.
• 😀 The ball should be thrown up at least the height of the net before hitting it.
• 😀 Aim to hit the ball with the bat moving forward to make it travel faster and stay low over the net.
• 😀 To create a faster serve, hit the ball on its back, not its head, to keep the trajectory low and fast.
• 😀 Ensure that your bat remains steady after throwing the ball up to avoid hitting it from too high.
• 😀 Practice consistently to develop muscle memory for holding the ball correctly, throwing it to the right height, and hitting it in a controlled manner.
• 😀 A low, fast serve is critical for maintaining good serve technique and improving your overall game.

Q & A

What is the first step to learning a basic table tennis serve?

The first step is to ensure that the ball bounces on your side of the table and then on your opponent's side. You need to hit the ball so that it lands on your side before crossing over to the other side.

Why is it important to practice the 'hit, bounce, bounce' method in the beginning?

Practicing the 'hit, bounce, bounce' method helps to get the basic serve mechanics right, allowing you to gain confidence and consistency in making the ball land on both sides of the table.

Where should the ball be positioned before serving?

The ball must be behind the end line of the table when throwing it up and hitting it. This ensures a legal serve.

How should the ball be held before serving?

The ball should be held on the flat palm of your hand, not on your fingers or thumb, and the hand should be fairly flat, though it can be slightly cupped.

What is the required height for the toss when serving?

The ball must be thrown up to at least the height of the net before it is hit. This ensures the toss is legal and the serve follows the proper rules.

What is the correct technique for hitting the ball during the serve?

When hitting the ball, it should be struck on its back to make it travel faster. The bat should move forward and stay steady, avoiding lifting it too high after the toss.

What common mistake should be avoided when serving?

A common mistake is lifting the bat too high after tossing the ball. This results in hitting the ball from too high a position, which makes it harder to generate a fast, low serve.

How can you improve the speed and placement of your serve?

To improve speed and placement, make sure to hit the ball on its back for a fast, low serve. The ball should travel just over the net and bounce low on your opponent's side.

What does 'hit, bounce, bounce' refer to in the context of table tennis serving?

'Hit, bounce, bounce' refers to the sequence in which the ball bounces once on your side of the table and then on your opponent's side, a crucial part of the basic serve technique.

What is the final goal when learning how to serve in table tennis?

The final goal is to master holding the ball correctly, tossing it to the right height, and hitting it low and fast so that it lands in the correct position on your opponent's side of the table.