Easy ways to receive serve from oppenent

1. get a coach
2. push it short & low
3. watch the ball and the bat

Why don't you get a coach ?? It is not easy to explain everything by writing, is it ?

The thing is experienced players rely on instinct. That is they watch the serve and they just react based on the thousands of balls they returned in the past.
They ACQUIRED the instinct by applying the principle that hookshot described in practice.
In addition try to look at the bounce of the ball a topspin ball tends to leap forward while a backspin ball
tends to 'sit up' a bit Get your partner to serve simple backspin or topspin from behind a board and try to read it from the bounce after a onth or two you will build up your 'instinct'.
Another tip is to not worry about the sidespin as long as your serve return is smooth and positive THROUGH the ball tends to go where you hit it. But back spin and topspin are critical because you may go in the net or off the table.
rule is:
backspin and back/sidespin serve: push under or lift(topspin)
topspin serve:drive or smash or block over the ball
pure sidespin serve: treat as topspin that is go over the ball with attacking shot
short serve: use guided return with neutral vertical racket face looking to flick if you can.

Lastly think like an artillery man!
in the net? up abit on that serve next time
off the end down a bit.
you are building your INSTINCT
If table tennis was easy we would be doing something else!
you'll get there!

try to look at the writing of the ball if u can see it

just play more! youll get the feel of it as you play more! play people who are better then you!

pingpongpaddy wrote: The thing is experienced players rely on instinct. That is they watch the serve and they just react based on the thousands of balls they returned in the past. They AQUIRED the instinct by applying the principle that hookshot described in practice. In addition try to look at the bounce of the ball a topspin ball tends to leap forward while a backspin ball tends to 'sit up' a bit Get your partner to serve simple backspin or topspin from behind a board and try to read it from the bounce after a onth or two you will build up your 'instinct'. Another tip is to not worry about the sidespin as long as your serve return is smooth and positive THROUGH the ball tends to go where you hit it. But back spin and topspin are critical because you may go in the net or off the table. rule is: backspin and back/sidespin serve: push under or lift(topspin) topspin serve:drive or smash or block over the ball pure sidespin serve: treat as topspin that is go over the ball with attacking shot short serve: use guided return with neutral vertical racket face looking to flick if you can.

nice post...short and concise 

Also, make it a point to push long or drop long serves on occassions. It makes you less predictable, Maze didn't realise that until getting schooled by Ma Lin.

1 prob. wat if heavy topspin/sidespin but short??? do wat???

wat???

cole_ely wrote: one of the toughest serves to recieve is short sidespin, because it's difficult to hit through the ball when you're leaning forward. The toughest to me is when the opponent serves a short sidespin serve from his backhand to my forehand. This requires you to bend your wrist akwardly and hit back toward the sideline if you're going to counter. No substitute for footwork on that one I'm afraid. I've learned that lesson the hard way many times.

yes
iam 5' 4' amd some of my 'friends' practice short serves just to get me! **!