The ability to execute a spin shot is one of the biggest differences between a competitive table tennis player and the casual player. While some of us may be lucky enough to pull it off on occasion, professionals can do it consistently, using impressive speed and accuracy. With a top-of-the-line ping pong table and plenty of practice you can learn how to add spin your ping pong ball and quickly dominate any match. One of the biggest advantages of executing spin shots is the actual level of difficulty that it places on the opponent to return a shot. The ball speed will not allow your opponent sufficient time to prepare for a return shot. This guide will go over some great tips that will help you learn how to add spin to your serves and how to control these shots consistently.
Before You Get Started
Spin shots are considered an advanced technique, and one that can be very challenging to learn. Before you start practicing spin shots, make sure you’re already familiar with the basics of the game, such as the rules of the game, how to play defensively in ping pong, and that you use a paddle that feels good in your hand and allows for improved control.
Spin Theory
There are a few types of spin serves you can use:
- Side
- Back
- Top
Basically, with each type of serve, the physics are the same. The ball will rotate while it’s in the air. The difference in the air pressure between the side, back, and top of the ball will cause it to dip and curve. As the ball makes contact with the surface of the table, the air pressure and rotation will cause the ball to slow down or speed up.
Top Spin Execution
Top spin is an important stroke and one that the offensive player utilizes often. You can use plenty of power with this move, but instead of the ball flying off the table it will curve downward, striking the other side of the table.
- For a top spin move, you’ll need to do the following:
Begin with a low stroke that’s below and behind the ping pong ball. - Wait for the ball to bounce upward
The ball will arch downward where it will pick up speed after it has bounced off the surface of the table. When your opponent returns the shot, the ball will end up flying off the table, so you’ll earn a point.
Back Spin
The back spin is a defensive shot that many players use when they’re scrambling to return a shot and try to set up more time for their return. Because of the level of spin that’s involved with this shot, the ball tends to float right off the table constantly when a player is first learning how to execute this move.
For this move:
- The stroke should be positioned above and behind the ball
- When the ball is headed downward, the paddle should go from a high to a low position
- The ball should be brushed on its lower surface using forward momentum
The degree of spin that’s used affects what the ball does once it has hit the table. Low spin will prevent the ball from bouncing far. A powerful spin causes the ball to bounce backward or straight up.
If your opponent is not able to counter the ball correctly, their return will not be able to clear the net, so you’ll earn a point.
Side Spin
The side spin can be used to defend and attack. The ball will spin from right to left or left to right. It will make a low large curve while airborne. This can depend on how much spin you use and from the speed your serve has, in addition to the angle you use to hit the ball.
You can go about using the side spin a couple of different ways.
For this move, you’ll need to:
- Move the paddle away from your body laterally
- You’ll impart different side spin depending on whether the paddle moves to the left or the right.
Why You Need to Use Spin
Many professionals consider spin to be an essential part of the game and it adds another layer of strategy. Spin makes the ball move in impossible ways. It can still frustrate opponents and thrill audiences.
Top spin makes it appear as if the ball is attracted magnetically to the table. If it’s not countered, it can make the ball leave your opponent’s paddle at surprising angles. Back spin can make the ball seem like its sliding across the table like it’s made out of ice.
While learning how to add spin may seem complex, if you’re a beginner, it’s possible if you follow a few tips that can put you on your way toward developing a more challenging game.
- Practice with a player who is experienced
- Learn how to adjust your paddle to the right angle
- Use the right paddle. The type of rubber on the paddle can affect how spin influences the direction of your shot. If you can’t find the right model, you can always make your own ping pong paddle.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to add spin to your ping pong ball is mostly about getting the hang of adjusting the paddle’s angle to account for incoming spin. You can also focus on mastering your own powerful shots. The next step is learning how to incorporate a variety of spin shots into your strategy. With time, patience and practice, you can automatically adjust your paddle to execute or counter a spin shot, so you can easily shut down any player.
