Receiving in Table-Tennis: How to Handle that Damned Spin

TABLE TENNIS TIPS #1
How to handle that damned spin (by Rod Bédard, ex-national table-tennis junior coach)

I know I should not give you tips on how to read the spin (I could lose my advantage away in racketlon), but if it can help your racketlon skills, I’ll be compassionate!

First thing first, you have to know in what direction the spin is going.

- “How do I do this?”

Look at your opponent’s paddle.

When he hits the ball; if it moves to your left when he touches the ball, it going to go to your left when you contact it. If his paddle touches the ball while moving to your right, this is where the ball will end up if you don’t counter the spin.

-”How do I counter the spin?”

Simply by aiming in the opposite direction.

This is true for side-spin and it’s also true for bottom spin and top spin. If your opponent’s paddle is moving downward while contacting the ball, the latest will head straight for the net when you touch it unless you react properly (paddle facing upward). If the opponent puts top spin on the ball you’ll have to aim downward in order not to put the ball out of bound.

Try it, but don’t use it against me next time we meet in a racketlon.

(originally  posted at: http://canadatour-racketlon.tripod.com/id19.html)