1. Home
  2. Sports
  3. Table Tennis / Ping-Pong

The Backhand Topspin/Sidespin Serve - Table Tennis/ Ping-Pong Basic Strokes

By Greg Letts, About.com

2 of 9

Start of Ball Toss

Photo of BH Topspin/Sidespin Serve - Start of Ball Toss

Start of Ball Toss

(c) 2006 Greg Letts, licensed to About.com, Inc.
The service motion has begun, and the ball has been thrown into the air.

Points to look for:

  • The player is watching the ball as he makes the toss.
  • The bat is being taken upwards and backwards, and slightly to the player's left in preparation for the forward swing.
  • The ball is being thrown near vertically upwards from an open palm, as per the laws of serving in ping-pong.
  • The player has straightened up a little from his crouch as part of the service motion.

Explore Table Tennis / Ping-Pong

About.com Special Features

Learn to Pitch

Strike out the competition with these step-by-step pictorials. More >

Introduction to Pilates

Learning Pilates fundamentals can help you get the most out of your exercise regime. More >

  1. Home
  2. Sports
  3. Table Tennis / Ping-Pong
  4. Beginner's Guide
  5. Basic Concepts
  6. Basic Strokes
  7. How to Serve
  8. The Backhand Topspin/Sidespin Serve - Step 2 - Table Tennis/ Ping-Pong Basic Strokes

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.