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Table Tennis / Ping-Pong Basic Strokes - FH Tomahawk Topspin/Sidespin Serve

By Greg Letts, About.com

4 of 9

Middle of Ball Descent

Photo of FH Tomahawk Topspin/Sidespin Serve - Middle of Ball Descent

Middle of Ball Descent

© 2007 Greg Letts, licensed to About.com, Inc
The ball is on its way down, and the player is getting into position to perform the serve.

Points to look for:

  • The player has dropped his elbow while raising his bat, which is a very different motion from the typical forehand pendulum serves.
  • The player is also bending his knees to get his body low enough to perform the serve comfortably, and so that he is not contacting the ball too high above the net, which would make the ball bounce too high as well.
  • The free arm is now well out of the way, giving the receiver a clear view of the server's contact with the ball.

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  8. Table Tennis / Ping-Pong Basic Strokes - Forehand Tomahawk Topspin/Sidespin Serve - Step 4

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