The ability to use spin in ping-pong, and more importantly, the correct type and amount of spin, is not something that can be described easily. The ability to spin is developed by continual experimentation, evaluation of results, correction and further experimentation. Watching and copying the technique of advanced players can also help you to get to grips with spin faster. This is one of the aspects of table tennis that can take years to master, although the basics can be picked up quickly.
How to Learn to Use Spin in Table Tennis
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Even the player is in a spin here! © Greg Letts Use topspin when the ball is only a little higher than the net (or lower than the net) and you want to hit the ball hard and aggressively.
- Use sidespin to help make it harder for the opponent to tell how much topspin or backspin you have put on the ball, which will help to force him to make mistakes.
- Use backspin when the ball is over the table, and you do not have the room to swing up to make topspin. Backspin will also force the opponent to swing upwards with spin to counter the way the ball jumps downwards off his bat, so he will have to hit more slowly if you can keep the ball low.
- Don’t be afraid to play around and have some fun with trying different types of spins, just to see what they do. By using and experimenting with spin yourself, you will improve your understanding of what type of strokes are required to produce certain spins, which will be of great help when you have to read other people’s spin.
So now you know how to use it, but what about your opponent? Read on to find out how to read your opponent’s spin!
