What Spin is it? How to Understand Spin in Table Tennis

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The different types of spin in table tennis can change the trajectory and behavior of the ball drastically. Have you ever tried to return a serve, and it flew sporadically off of the table or dove down into the net? That means your opponent was using spin against you knowing that you have not learned how to deal with spin yet. Learning how to create spin in table tennis is the first step to learning how to return it. In this tutorial from phase 1 of our FREE Beginner to Intermediate Table Tennis Lesson Plan, we go over how different spins impact the ball's behavior and by the end you will no longer fear spin. Instead, it will become a tool you use to win more games. Let’s get started

Types of Spin

Topspin

• How it’s made: Topspin is created by brushing up the back of the ball. This can be achieved with both forehand and backhand strokes, typically with a vertical racket face

• Effect on receive: When a ball with topspin is received, it tends to dip quickly, jump forward and bounce higher off of you paddle than expected. This can make it difficult to return with precision, as you must adjust your timing and paddle angle to counteract the upward force

Backspin (or Underspin)

• How it’s made: Backspin is generated by brushing down the back of the ball or underneath it. It’s often used in serves or defensive strokes.

• Effect on receive: A ball with backspin will bounce shorter on the table than a topspin ball and in some cases even bounces backwards. These balls hit your paddle and dive straight down making it difficult to clear the net. You must spin up against the backspin to clear the net or graze underneath the ball with an open bat face to let the underspin kick off of your rubber. Underspin makes it challenging to generate an aggressive return and limits your stroke options if it is executed with quality

Sidespin

• How it’s made: Sidespin is produced by brushing sideways across the back of the ball. The racket should be angled be nearly vertical or slightly angled up to contact just under the back of the ball

• Effect on receive: Sidespin causes the ball to curve in the air and bounce in the direction it is turning. This can confuse the receiver, as they may misjudge the ball’s trajectory. To counteract this, the opponent must adjust their paddle angle and body positioning based on the spin direction. Novice players rely on "mirroring" the motion of the person that created the spin which will counteract and let you to return it

No Spin (or Flat Hit)

• How it’s made: A flat hit involves striking the ball with minimal or no spin, typically with a nearly vertical racket face.

• Effect on receive: A ball hit with no spin tends to behave predictably, bouncing in a straight line. However, this can also be deceptive if the opponent is expecting spin, making them susceptible to unsuccessful returns from misjudging spin and timing

Combining Spins

Players often combine different spins during rallies, making the ball's behavior unpredictable. For example:

• Topspin with Sidespin: This combination can cause the ball to dip, jump, and curve, complicating the return.

• Backspin with Sidespin: This makes the ball bounce shallower, makes it more difficult to lift over the net, and adds a sideways curve at the same time

Strategies for Receiving Spin

Reading the Spin: Experienced players learn to read the spin by observing the opponent’s paddle angle, stroke, as well as the balls trajectory

Adjusting Paddle Angle: Players adjust their paddle angle according to the type of spin—opening upwards for backspin, angling slightly downwards for topspin, and touching different sides of the ball to redirect sidespin back onto the table

Footwork and Positioning: Good footwork is essential to get into the optimal position for returning different spins effectively. A stable base makes a stable contact with the ball. With ball being featherlight, even the slightest loss of control can make the ball fly far off from your intended placement

Move in with Body: Move in with your body to initiate the contact with the ball. If you could completely rely on your body, we recommend it. Extending your arm while out of position creates a shaky and unstable approach into the ball and control becomes nearly impossible. Use the arm to add extra flavor…so to speak

Practice: Regular practice against various spins can help players become more adept at reading and responding to them

Understanding how the spins are created and practicing returning each of them will make service return second nature. Something you rarely have to think about, it becomes a reaction leading to more successfully returned balls and longer rallies

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