Backspin and sidespin serves

Setup

1. The server (P1) keeps a box of balls on a chair beside their end, never on the floor.
2. One target near the net on the receiver's half for short serves, one near the far end line for long serves.
3. A partner (P2) stands at the far end to stop the balls and send them back, then takes a turn.

How it runs

1. Check the legal serve first: the ball rests on the open, flat palm of the free hand, is tossed near vertically at least 16 cm without spin and is struck as it falls. From toss to contact it stays behind the end line, above the level of the table, and in view of the receiver.
2. Backspin: 10 serves aimed short, so the ball would bounce twice on the receiver's side.
3. Sidespin: 10 serves aimed long at the target near the end line.
4. Score 2 for a target, 1 for any other legal serve, 0 for a fault. Swap with P2 after each set.

Coaching points

• Toss straight up and let the ball fall; contact it low, close to table height.
• Backspin: open bat, brush the underneath of the ball with a quick wrist. For a short serve, the first bounce lands on your own half near the net.
• Sidespin: brush across the side of the ball. The same swing can add a little topspin or backspin.
• Long serves: make the first bounce land near your own end line so the ball travels deep.
• Move the free arm out of the way after the toss so the receiver can see the ball.

Common mistakes

• Holding the ball in cupped fingers or throwing it sideways: the palm must be open and flat.
• A toss that is too low, or hitting the ball on the way up.
• Hiding the ball with the free arm or the body.
• Hitting instead of brushing, so short serves bounce long.