The spinning of the ping pong ball is perhaps the most important skill in table tennis. Topspin the serve, get aces, and the opponent is already stunned.
Professional players can pull off spins consistently with speed and accuracy. It explains why they are playing at the highest level. The ability to spin the ball makes you different from an average table tennis player.
Spinning the ball is not as easy as it may sound. This article will help you overcome any difficulties you may encounter during the process. It focused on various topics regarding the spin of the ball. You will learn the three most popular spins later in the article. All of this should give you a clear understanding of how ping pong balls are spun.
Before You Begin
Trying to spin the ball before you master the basic techniques is a big rookie mistake. In the beginning, grind the basics. Once you feel that you are done mastering those basics, you can proceed to the step where you will be learning about different spins.
Many basic maneuvers are available, so you may wonder what to learn first. Since we are focusing on the ball’s spin, you should master the basics of table tennis grip, serve, and the four table tennis strokes initially.
What is Spin?
The spin of a ball in table tennis refers to its curve or dip, depending on how the ball rotates and how a specific air pressure influences it. With spin, you can send the ball in different directions. The ball moves in an unpredictable manner when spinning it. In that way, it is an effective tactic for frustrating the opponent and playing more strategically.
Theory Behind The Spin
The role of spin in table tennis cannot be expressed in words. In order to do well in the game, you must know how to spin a ping pong ball well. There are three most used spins in table tennis: the backspin, the sidespin, and the topspin.
Though every spin has its characteristics, the same physics applies to all of them. Now, what’s that? When you shoot the ball into the air, it tends to rotate midair. The ball has air pressure all over it. However, the pressure is not the same in every part of the ball. The Top, side, and back have different air pressures. As a result of all these pressures, the ball curves, and dips.
As the ball lands on the table, it goes fast or slows based on its air pressure and the underlying rotation.
Why is Spin Important in Table Tennis?
Table tennis would be so different if there were no spin on it. Spin allows players to take full control over the ball. The ball often moves in surprising ways during games. Audiences stare at it as if it is magic, while opponents are frustrated by the extraordinary spins. It adds a fair amount of strategy and flair to the game. Spins can also have a major impact on a game, depending on their type.
Learning to Loop for Beginners
How To Put Spin On A Ping Pong Ball
- Topspin
- Hold your paddle at a lower point
Hold the paddle at a lower spot than the place it’s going to meet the ball. The job of a paddle is to brush the ball. Hence, it is necessary for it to come from below. Also, try to keep the paddle slanted so that the upper portion is further forward than the lower portion.
- Raise the paddle from the holding position
Immediately after you toss the ball, bring the paddle up and forward. An arm movement is necessary during this step. Use your forearm movement to let the paddle meet the ball.
- Brush over the ball
Another vital thing to do for topspin is brushing over the ball. To be more specific, you have to brush the top of the ball using the paddle. The paddle comes up from the back of the ball and then reaches the top.
- Follow through
A successful topspin will always have a follow-through. It is all about putting a slight pressure, so the ball flies over. Another big advantage of the follow-through is having the control to send it left or right. If you want to topspin the ping pong ball to the right, brush the ball from the left side and vice versa.
- Backspin / Underspin
- Hold the paddle at a higher point
For a backspin, try holding the paddle higher yet a little farther back from where it is supposed to meet the ball. The paddle’s job is to brush the ball’s underside. Therefore, make sure the position is as we outlined. Last but not least, slant the paddle, so the top part sits behind the bottom part.
- Pull the paddle from its holding position
As the ball reaches down, you have to take the paddle to the front position. However, do not leave the slanting position while doing this. Use your forearm and bring the paddle to the meeting spot.
- Brush the ball at its base
It is necessary to brush the bottom part of the ball for the underspin/backspin. Brush the ball from the back and stop brushing when you reach its bottom.
- Follow through
A good follow-through will allow the ball to fly over the net as you like. Do not stop the flow of your hands when the paddle is in contact with the ping pong ball. Let it stop naturally. The follow-through also is essential for sending the ball right or left.
- Simple Sidespin
- Hold the paddle at a relatively higher point
If you’re side-spinning the ball, hold the bat higher than where the paddle meets the ball. The position works as the source of the power that you use for brushing the ball. Additionally, while holding the paddle, make sure the blades are vertical.
- Bring the paddle down and forward as the ball comes down
Put the paddle in front as the ball lands. As long as it travels down and forward to the ball, you are doing it correctly. Again the blades will remain in the vertical position. You are free to use your forearm to do so.
- Brush the ball at its side
Without brushing the side of the ball, sidespin is impossible. You need to brush it using your paddle. It is suggested to brush the left side of the ball. Moreover, you should pass the brush under the ball. It lets the ball fly and oscillate horizontally.
- Follow through
Many players fail to sidespin because they do not follow through. Hence, do not forget to follow-through using the wrist. One key point to remember is to stop the paddle when it reaches your chest.
No-spin
You don’t have to force yourself to spin the ball when you are new to the game. A beginner should start with absolutely no spin on the ball. What you have to learn is to serve the ball properly.
Hit the equator/center of the ball. Your racket should be at an approximately 90-degree angle to the ball while hitting the center. It shouldn’t worry you if the ball doesn’t go fast or has no spin.
Learn different types of spins
In the previous chapter, we discussed three types of spins that you need to learn. These are respectively Topspin, Backspin, and Sidespin. Each of the spin types requires a set of maneuvers that make them unique. You must master these spins if you want to become a great ping pong ball spinner.
Learn the effects of putting spin on the ball
As you already know, each spin comes with unique features. Hence, each of them has a specific impact on the ping pong game. Let’s talk about the effects briefly.
- Backspin
When you backspin the ball, it tends to produce a bounce on the ball as soon as it hits the table. Keep in mind that the bounce prevents the ball from going too far.
The backspin affects the opponent too. When an opposing player hits the back-spinned ball, it is going to rebound. However, a downward rebound occurs instead of an upward one.
- Sidespin
The sidespin is quite similar to the backspin. The ball bounces off the racket of your opponent. However, it doesn’t go downwards. Initially, your racket was traveling in a certain direction. This is where the ball rebounds to.
- Topspin
The use of topspin on the ball keeps it low when it is on the table. It stays low because the downward pressure is excessive in the topspin. After hitting the opposing player’s racket, the rebound occurs upward.
Get into position for a serve
Standing in the correct position is one of the crucial steps of spinning the ping pong ball properly. The position you will be taking is based on the hand you are dominant on. Please refer to the instructions below for both right and left-handed serving positions.
- Right-handed
If you are dominant on the right hand, take the backhand corner of the table. The dominant foot (right) will be placed further forward than the other foot. Keeping the knees a little bent is also a good idea.
Coming to the racket and ball, hold the racket with the right hand and the ball on the left hand. It’s all set, then.
- Left-handed
Lefthanders use the front corner of the table instead of the back corner. They are also supposed to bring the dominant foot forward, which is left in this case. As mentioned earlier, a slight bent is required for the knees.
The bat should be held in the left hand and the ball in the right.
Throw the ball into the air from an open palm
Table tennis rules state that you have to throw the ball in the air and then proceed to serve. Here you can follow a trick that many professionals use.
While tossing the ball, keep the palm open. Throw it approximately 6 inches high. One more thing to note is that your hands need to be at the same level as your chest. Finally, rather than aiming up and forward or downward, simply throw the ball straight up in the air.
Hit the ball for your serve when it comes back down
When the ball reaches your chest or belly, strike it. You should not opt for a level that is lower than your belly. It may cause the ball to not go over the net.
However, hitting the ball above chest level will cause it to bounce excessively high or move too fast. Therefore, the ball should be hit when it lies between the chest and belly.
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