EXPLAINING SPIN
If anything differentiates table tennis from other
sports, it is spin. Most ball sports use spin in
some way, but none to the extent table tennis does. At
the higher levels, the spin becomes so extreme as to
be unimaginable by those not experienced with it.
At the lower levels, the spin takes on lesser
importance. Only two spins are used: topspin and backspin.
Neither are produced to any great extent.
However, without knowledge of and ability to use
and deal with spin, no one (including children)
can develop a full appreciation of the game.
If you hit a ball so that the top of the ball is
rotating away from you (and the bottom rotating toward
you), you have produced topspin. Topspin is used on
nearly all attacking shots. A ball hit with
topspin will sink faster than one without it. This makes
the ball drop on the table even if it is hit hard.
Without topspin, most hard hit shots would go off the end.
Backspin
is the reverse of topspin. If you hit
the ball so that the top rotates toward you (and the
bottom away from you), you have produced backspin.
Backspin is mostly a defensive spin, used to
make the ball travel in a line and control it. It
makes the ball rise - or it would, except gravity
counteracts it. The two balance out, so the ball tends to
travel in a straight line.
This would not be good if you hit the ball hard.
The ball would go straight off the end with the
backspin keeping it from dropping. However, by
making the ball travel in a line, the ball can be
made to stay at just above net level for a greater
period of time. This makes it easier to keep the
ball low throughout its flight and keeps the
opponent from smashing it.
Kids don’t really need to know all the theory
about spin. It’s enough if you explain to them that
topspin forces the ball down and backspin slows it
down. Then you only have to explain how spin is
produced, which is used on what shots, and how
to handle the different spins.
Topspin is produced by hitting the ball with an
upward motion. The more you graze the ball, the
more spin you get. Demonstrate this for the
students by holding a ball in your free (non-racquet)
hand and demonstrating a topspin stroke and
contact with your other (racquet) hand. The kids should
be able to see how the spin is produced. This will
be elaborated on in the sections on the forehand
and backhand drives.
Backspin is produced the same way but with a
downward motion. This too can be demonstrated
for kids by holding the ball and showing the
stroke and contact. This will be elaborated on in the
section on push.
To return a ball with spin, you have to
compensate. For example, to return a backspin ball, you
have to aim up to compensate for the spin or the
ball will go into the net. To return a ball with
topspin, you have to aim down or the ball will pop up
or go off the end.
Spin is also used on the serve. For kids, it is
best to stick to simple topspin and backspin serves, but
later they may learn to put sidespin on the serve
as well. It is up to you to decide what each child is
capable of doing and then teaching him/her what
he/she is willing and able to learn.
Copyright Larry Hodges
Copyright
Mark Nordby, Dan Seemiller, John Oros
Copyright USA Table Tennis
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