Table tennis · Serve

Short and long serves

Alternate short backspin serves and fast long serves to marked targets.

S
Start / 4
Time
10 min
Players
1–6
Age
U8+
Area
Table
Equipment
20 balls2 paper targets

Setup

  1. A target on the receiver's near half (short) and one on the far corner (long).

How it runs

  1. Five short backspin serves, then five fast long serves.
  2. Score 2 for a target, 1 for the right half.
  3. Three sets, keep a tally.

Coaching points

  • Toss straight up, at least 16 cm.
  • Short: brush under, second bounce near the net.
  • Long: contact flat and fast, aim the end line.

Common mistakes

  • Serving from the hand without a toss.
  • Short serves bouncing long and sitting up.

Say it: “Toss, brush, place.”

Make it harder

  • Add sidespin.
  • Receiver returns and you play the third ball.

Make it easier

  • Any serve that lands scores.
  • Bigger targets.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.