Easy method for returning serves (beginner / intermediate level)

In this video I share my super easy method for returning serves. This is a method I use when coaching beginner and intermediate players.

I show you how to return backspin serves, topspin serves and sidespin serves. I also explain how to read the spin. At the end of the video, I show you some more advanced return of serves too.

Most of the time my method for returning serves works well and the players I coach find they can return many more serves.

I hope my suggestions work for you too!

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[flat_III]

This guy is completely amazing, the way he teaches it and the perfectly timed edits of the video, showing what he is just saying whit a real game on the screen.
10/10

[anthonybutt]

I've not played TT in decades, but these vids are motivating me to get back into the swing (as it were!).
Great advice, can't understand why anyone would give it a thumbs down!
Many thanks. 👍

[mikea]

just re-started after 45-year break. I need all the help I can get to restore my techniques. This is a great instruction video.

[ganruichi]

For my reference
01:40 - returning backspin serves
03:54 - returning topspin serves
05:40 - returning sidespin serves
08:15 - reading spin
09:28 - watching the server
10:38 - progression

[ФирдавсФайзиев-щя]

Returning spin serves is really hard and tough job to do. You never know what direction your opponent spin serves. I think it is all about playing more with pro athletes. I lost most of my important games only because of not properly returning the spin serves and it caused me lots of trouble and confusion. Cheers for sharing the secrets. I asked most of the best players and even coaches on how to return spin serves properly and smoothly. They never shared it and always reluctant towards it.
Now I have cleared all my confusion and start practicing tips you have just mentioned. I hope it works out. I appreciate that. Welldone!

[swaminathansubramaniam]

Well explained, word by word. My confidence level of receiving all these types of services increased a lot now. Thank you sir 🤝🏓

[dstrtdsanty]

This is brilliant. Many newer players don't realize that sidespin has to be combined with another spin to be truly effective off the bounce. You can spin a basketball on your finger and it will go nowhere, yeah? The same reason why you need to put sidespin on an "axis" of sorts. Pay more attention to what kind of sidespin than the actual sidespin, and your life will be much easier.

[BeatsByRouph]

It’s basically just: return backspin with backspin. Return top spin with top spin return side spin with down spin or top spin

[andrewmiddlemiss]

Tom, Ive just tried this out - my goodness me, BUT MY GOODNESS IT WORKS!!!! Yay!!!

[box.]

An awful lot of very useful tips on returning spin. 10/10 Tom!

[Waingro]

Thank you so much for this! This is my biggest weakness when playing higher ranked players.

[MithileshDronavalli]

Don’t underestimate reading the flight of the ball, or the direction change of the ball after the bounce.
It improves judgement as well.

[Manish-kwft]

Well explained Serve Reading and Playing guide...Really👍👍.
Might just become the BIBLE for Table Tennis Beginners and Intermediates.😁😁

[atngaming]

Top notch video, even 5 yrs later ! Well doen sir

[miguxlxx_]

Who needs a coach when you have Tom!
Literally better than what any beginner coach would teach me, thanks a lot

[kjnichols]

Thank you so much for this video. I could not return topspin serve, watched this video a couple times and figured it out. Your simplified approach made all the difference. I played in a small work fun tournament and halfway through used this when I could not return serves and ended up winning! I contribute it to your video 100%😀

[WaffleKnight]

I've been playing table tennis at the office for years, and I feel silly for not watching these videos sooner. That section on sidespin was eye opening for me. I learned through experience that sidespin with topspin could be returned with a drive, but my brain didn't put 2 and 2 together for sidespin with backspin.

[DIVA-MC-]

Top notch ! just started TT on a local club, only played when i was 10 to 13 yo at school, and a bit of school competiton. Yesterday Old TT players were giving me a hard time only on serves, and effects everywhere... was hard to engage an exchange, when i did, i could develope my game, but boy thoses serves.... grrrr! Thankfully the coach took me appart and showed me some things at the end of the session, and your video is awsome, cant wait to return serves!

[scottmckenzie]

@Tom Lodziak. You are my hero! Every time I watch one of your videos my game improves slightly. I drunk agreed to a challenge with a mate with some money on the line and I dont really know how good he is so I need my game to be at it's best!

[theUroshman]

I am a player who has great forehand and decent backhand, moving and positioning and change of pace are my forte, but my serves are below par, and my return of advanced serves is even worse. So, this video was just perfect for me, and I can't thank you enough for explaining things so well. I wish you lived in Belgrade, so I could take lessons from you. Anyway, these video lessons are the second best thing. Thanks a million, Tom!