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Master the basic table tennis serve.
Improve your table tennis serving and win more games.
by courtesy of the ITTF
The table tennis serve is the most important stroke in the game because it provides the only situation in which you have total control over how and where you play the ball.
However, before you can master the correct table tennis serving technique, you'll need to ensure that you're using the correct table tennis grip and that you've mastered the four basic table tennis strokes.
| RECOMMENDED TABLE TENNIS BOOK |
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Table Tennis Service Secrets
Discover the fastest way to improve your table tennis by 30% Improving your service and return of service will add three points, or more, to every game you play. |
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So let's start by looking at...
If you're a beginner, try the following exercises to help you master the basic table tennis serving technique...

The ball must first bounce on your side of the table and then go over the net and bounce on your opponent’s side of the table.
Repeat this several times until you're consistently successful.
Once you've mastered this technique standing close to the net, gradually move further away from the net, nearer to your end of the table, and repeat the exercise.
As you move further away from the net, you'll need to play a forward stroke action with your racket to give the ball enough momentum to get over the net.
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So, once you've mastered that technique, let's take a look at how to perform...
Once you've mastered the basic table tennis serving technique, you'll need to learn how to serve in accordance with the official laws of table tennis.
Here's how...
When you've mastered this, you'll be able to produce a legal serve. Simple.
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As well as learning to serve, you'll also need to master the...
The return of serve is regarded as the second most important table tennis stroke because it's the first opportunity for you as the receiver to play the ball.
In preparing to return the service, you should take up the ready position (as explained in the following video).
Here's a video demonstration of the ready position.
(If you have problems with the sound, there are captions/subtitles that you can turn on. Just click on the captions/subtitles button)
If you're still a beginner you should, depending upon the depth of your opponents service, return the ball using one of the four basic table tennis strokes:
As receiver, you should try to vary the direction of the return by making good use of the available angles and lines of play.
To force a weak return from your opponent, play your shots to their crossover point.
The crossover point is the area in which the player has no obvious choice of forehand or backhand. For a right handed player, the crossover point is roughly in line with the right hip.
When you've mastered the basic table tennis serve and you can produce a legal table tennis service in accordance with the official rules, you'll be able to progress onto the advanced service...
| RECOMMENDED TABLE TENNIS BOOK |
|---|
|
Table Tennis Service Secrets
Discover the fastest way to improve your table tennis by 30% Improving your service and return of service will add three points, or more, to every game you play. |
^ Top of page ^
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You Are Here: Home › How to Play Table Tennis › Basic Serve