Physical Education

Advanced Service Techniques

Advanced service differs from the basic service in the following ways:

• The stroke is the same for all spins
• By controlling where you hit the ball on the paddle(tip, middle, near handle) you can control the rate of spin
• By controlling at which point in the stroke you hit the ball, the combination of spins is possible
• The toss is often higher to aid in speed, spin, and deception
• A variety of techniques, including high tosses and foot stamps, are used to prevent the opponent from anticipating the spin on the ball.

Two primary families of advanced serves:

1. Backhand sidespin
2. Forehand pendulum

Each uses a different side of the paddle, and both have variable points in the stroke that will produce one or more of the spins.