Short
Returns of No-Spin Serves
By Eric Owens
This
column will be a collection of table tennis training tips and advice by
Eric Owens, who is a US Men’s Singles Champion, Pan Am Gold Medalist,
North American Doubles Champion, and a multi-time member of the US Table
Tennis Team. Eric’s training regimen includes regular practice on
a Newgy table tennis robot. Read this and his future installments to get
rare glimpses into how a top player integrates robot practice into his
training.
Place
the head of the robot downwards, so that a double bounce serve is replicated.
Initially, the spin should be a dead ball, and the placement in one particular
spot on the table. For example, this would replicate a short dead ball
serve to the middle of the table.
The repetition of the balls should be slow enough to hit the ball, and
then completely return to the service ready
position. From the ready position, step forward with the same foot
as the playing hand, and then return back to the ready position. This
should be done in one smooth step.
To drop the ball short and effectively, the timing of the return should
be immediately off the bounce. This will create more spin on the return
and give the opponent less time to react. The return should be at least
a double bounce return with the height just over the net.
Since a dead ball serve is being used, you will have to create your own
spin. Catching the ball right off the bounce will create this effect.
Very little, if any, lift will be needed against the dead ball serve.
You are not using the opponent’s spin, but rather creating your own.
This is the basic way to place a short dead ball serve short. Once the
technique has become more comfortable, set the placement of the ball short
to the forehand then change the placement to the backhand. Each placement
should be done for about 5 minutes separately. To simulate a game situation,
set the placement on random and practice dropping each ball short and
then returning to the service ready position.
This service return practice should not take more than a half an hour
each time and will surely be an effective improvement of your game. Service
return training is highly underestimated and more emphasis should be placed
on training this aspect of the game. After all, the serve return is one
shot that happens every single point.
Good luck!
Editor’s notes: While it is impossible for a Newgy Robot
to deliver a true “dead” ball (no-spin), the robot can deliver
a spin so light that by the time contact is made, the ball is spinning
so slowly that for all practical purposes it can be considered “dead”.
This is achieved by setting your Ball Speed control to “0” and
your spin to "Backspin". The head angle will need to be adjusted
to between the D and E positions (for Robo-Pong 2040 robots attached to
the end of the table). You will need to experiment with the head angle
to find the exact setting necessary for this drill, but you want the ball
to first land on the robot’s side of the table about 15 inches from
the net. The ball will bounce just over the net and land about 12 to 15
inches from the net on your end of the table.
This drill requires the Ball Frequency to be at very low settings. If
your robot doesn’t shoot out balls at very low settings, you will
need to purchase some Tuner Lubricant and Cleaner (Radio Shack part #64-4315)
or equivalent. Then remove the robot body from the net system (or Ball
Bucket depending on your robot model), detach the Clear Front Cover, and
remove the balls from inside the machine. Spray the lubricant/cleaner
inside of the Ball Frequency Motor while it is running at medium to fast
speed. This will clear out any dirt or rust inside the motor and permit
it to turn at low voltage. Refer to your Owner’s
Manual if you have any questions about the above procedure.
Lastly, it is recommended that you do not move your feet until the serve
lands on the robot’s side of the table. This will better replicate
the mechanics of an actual serve where you do not know serve direction
or spin until after ball contact is made. It is also highly advisable
to keep the Ball Frequency set to very low settings. Again, this will
better replicate the timing involved in a normal serve return against
a human where you have time to get set and prepare yourself to return
the serve.
Here are some related articles on serve return in our Newgy Coaching Forum
Archives:
Using
your Robot To Practice Serve Return
How to
Effectively Return Short Services
