Backhand Serve / Chop

Starting position:

Ball must start resting on an open palm above height of the table and behind the line

The action:

1. Throw the ball up vertically 16cm (1, 2 & 3)
2. Take the bat back and slightly up (4 & 5)
3. Take the wrist back so that it can be used to generate more spin (6)
4. The arm moves forward and down (6 & 7)
5. Make contact underneath the ball. (7)
6. Snap the wrist forward into the neutral position to generate speed of the bat on contact (7 & 8)
7. Remember to recover ready for the return ball!

Tips:

Land the ball 1/2 to 2/3 way towards the net and aim to get the ball to bounce twice on your opponents side of the table to make it difficult for them to attack.

Backhand Serve / Topspin

Starting position:

Ball must start resting on an open palm above height of the table and behind the line

The action:

1. Throw the ball up vertically 16cm (1)
2. Take the bat back into the body (2)
3. Notice the slightly closed angle (2)
4. The bat moves forward and slightly up (3)
5. Make contact on the ball lower than net height (3)
6. Follow through - notice the bat arm pivots at elbow (4 & 5)
7. Recover ready of eth return ball (6 & 7)

Tips:

Initially practice landing the ball half way down the table. As you become more proficient the ball should bounce nearer the server's end of the table to enable a fast low trajectory to be achieved.

Forehand Serve / Chop

Starting position:

Ball must start resting on an open palm above height of the Table and behind the line

The action:

1. Throw the ball up vertically 16cm (1)
2. Take the bat back and slightly down on preparation (2)
3. Make contact on the back of the ball with a slightly closed bat
4. angle (3 & 4)
5. Contact height should aim to be lower than the height of the net (4)
6. Bat should now move forward and up (4 & 5)
7. Follow through to face the ball and recover so you are ready for the return ball! (6,7 & 8)

Tips:

Initially practice landing the ball half way down the table. As you become more proficient the ball should bounce nearer the server’s end of the table to enable a fast low trajectory to be achieved.

Forehand Serve / Topspin

Starting position:

Ball must start resting on an open palm above height of the Table and behind the line

The action:

1. Throw the ball up vertically 16cm (1)
2. Take the bat up and back - also take the wrist back (2)
3. Notice the open bat angle as the bat moves forward and slightly down (3)
4. Make contact underneath the ball whilst snapping the wrist forward to the neutral position to increase speed and impart greater spin (4, 5 & 6)
5. Recover ready for the return ball! (7 & 8)

Tips:

Land the ball 1/2 to 2/3 of the way towards the net and aim to get the ball to bounce twice on your opponents side of the table to make it difficult for them to attack.

Favourite Serve / Left Kick

A Darius Personal Favourite

Starting position:

Ball must start resting on an open palm above height of the table and behind the line

The action:

1. Throw the ball up vertically 16cm (2-4)
2. Take the free arm out of the way so your opponent and the umpire can see the ball (4 & 5)
3. As the ball drops make contact above the net height until you become more proficient then try contacting the ball lower (5)
4. Contact the ball underneath for backspin or on either side for sidespin. Many variations are possible by use of the wrist and making contact on different parts of the bat. (5 & 6)
5. Open the bat angle = backspin
6. Close the bat angle = topspin
7. Use the body in the shot to gain momentum and aid recovery into the ready position. (7-9)
8. Make sure you get ready for the return (10)

Favourite Serve / Right Kick

A Darius Personal Favourite

This is a variation on forehand serve 1

The action:

1. Notice that Darius' bat angle is more open on contact, enabling more backspin to be imparted (2 & 3)
2. Notice that Darius changes his grip by removing his fingers from the handle of the bat - so just gripping the playing surface between first finger and thumb. This gives him more flexibility in the wrist, so that he can create different spins by use of the wrist and varying the contact point between bat and ball.