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Robo-Pong Ping Pong Tips |  |
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Seasons Greetings! If you cannot read this newsletter, please visit our Robo-Pong web site. You are receiving this because of your interest in the game of ping pong/table tennis. Newgy Industries is the world's leading manufacturer of table tennis robots: our Robo-Pong line of robots is for recreational and expert players alike.
Thanks for your participation in our Ping Pong Rules Poster contest (How you've used your Robo-Pong poster to avert a rules controversy). The winner of a gross of Newgy Robo-Pong balls is Drew Dienslake of Batavia, IL. who wrote us, "It was 11 to 12 and he was winning it was his serve. He served it and we volleyed it back and forth for about a minute until he messed up and hit a high lob to me. I smashed it then he dove and hit it back to me. I hit it to the back again, and he hit the ball into the side of my table. He started celebrating like he had won I pointed to the poster with the rules hanging on my wall. In the end I won 16 to 14 by using the forehand backspin serve." Runner-up winners of dozen Newgy Robo-Pong balls include Chad Lucky, Ross Uzarraga, and Brandon Barnard. Your ping pong balls will be in the mail this week.
This is the fifth in a series of five newsletters on Ping Pong serving. Previously we have discussed Introduction to the Serve, the Backhand Topspin Serve, the Forehand Backspin Serve, and the Backhand Right Sidespin Serve. The last serve to learn is the forehand left sidespin serve. Your stance and position to the table are the same as for the forehand backspin serve. This time however, instead of placing the racket directly behind the ball, start with the racket to the right of the ball. It will also help if you hold the racket mainly with your thumb and forefinger and allow your other three fingers to slip off the handle as shown in the photo to the left. Toss the ball up, and as it descends, pull the right elbow to your side causing the racket to slash across the back of the ball on its lower surface in a sideways direction.
Notice (in the top left photo) the sideways stance to the right and how the weight is shifted to the back leg. Image 1: End of backswing. The right arm is extended out to the right with the racket tip pointing to the right. Racket is held at shoulder height. Note the modified (looser) grip on the handle. Image 2: Forward swing, just before contact. Forearm is pushed towards the body. Shoulders and waist are rotated slightly forward. Image 3.: Follow through. Racket continues to travel down and to the left and the racket tip is rotated forward. Wrist is snapped downward just before contact. Images 4-6: End of stroke. Upper arm continues to push the racket to the left and racket tip now points to the left. Shoulders and waist are rotated about 45°. The elbow and forearm are snug against the stomach.
As with the backhand right sidespin service, you may combine topspin or backspin with the left sidespin. The top left photo shows the sidespin/backspin serve. Sidespin/topspin (as shown in the photo to the left) is produced by pulling the forearm up just as contact is made. This may feel a little awkward and cramped when you first do it. Practice until you can do 25 in a row when you serve long or 15 in a row when you serve short. If you have a good forehand, you should also practice this serve from your backhand corner This sidespin will tend to make the serve return go toward your backhand, and if you're already there waiting to use your forehand, you'll often gain the advantage early in the point. Similar to the previous serve except the racket is pulled upward as contact is made instead of continuing downward. Image 1: End of backswing. Racket is moved to the right of the ball by extending the right arm. Racket tip is pointing to the right. Image 2: Forward swing. Forearm is pushed down as the elbow is pulled toward the body. Shoulders and waist begin rotating forward. Image 3: Just before contact. Wrist is bent backward. Forearm continues to push racket down towards the ball. Image: 4: Follow through. Forearm is pulled up just before contact. Wrist continues to be bent back. Image 5 & 6: End of swing. Racket is pulled up against the stomach by raising the forearm. Waist and shoulders are rotated only a little. Racket tip points mainly forward.
In a real game, the type of serve you use depends a lot on the kind of return you would like to get. If you like to play a fast paced game with quick exchanges, use mainly a fast backhand topspin serve. If you like to smash the ball, use short sidespin/topspin serves in an attempt to get the opponent to pop up the ball. If you like a slow paced game and/or you have a good push, serve mostly the short forehand backspin serve or short sidespin/backspin serves. Of course, if you discover a serve that the opponent has trouble with, use that serve more often-but not so much that the opponent gets used to it.
It's time to order that Robo-Pong for your family member, a buddy, or yourself! Great deals if you order this month: Buy Robo-Pong 2040, get Pong-Pal & Training DVD FREE! (save $60) Buy Robo-Pong 1040, order Ball Catch Net II & Pong- Pal for only $50 (save $53) Buy Robo-Pong 540, get Pong-Pal FREE! (save $20)
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