Site Products
Coach Jeffrey Zeng

How to Train a Good Serve

(by Coach Jeffrey Zeng)

There are many types of table tennis serves, each with its own characteristics. Let us look at the types of table tennis serves without considering the factors such as the soleplate, sponge, and rubber.

  • According to the clap hands
    1. Shoot with left hand – For opponents who shoot with the left hand, they can send the ball to the right triangle more often.
    2. Shoot with right hand – For opponents who shoot with the right hand, you can throw the ball back to the left small triangle more often.
  • By station
    1. Forehand position
    2. Backhand position
    3. Middle position
  • Divide by gesture
    1. Forehand
    2. Backhand
  • According to the beat surface
  • By rotation – 24 kinds of effective rotation and non-rotation. The rotating ball can be divided into the following 6 types according to the prominent main rotation:
    1. Upward rotation
    2. Downward rotation
    3. Left hand rotation
    4. Right hand rotation
    5. Clockwise rotation
    6. Reverse rotation
  • According to the length of the arc
    1. Long ball
    2. Short ball
    3. Half out billiards
  • According to the falling point (line)
    1. Left triangle
    2. Right triangle
    3. Left triangle
    4. Right triangle
    5. Left triangle
    6. Right triangle
    7. Network front area
    8. End line area (pursuit area)
    9. Central district
  • Score by throwing height
    1. Low throw
    2. Middle throwing
    3. High throwing
  • Comment on a good serve from five elements
    1. High speed
    2. Strong or soft power, with obvious contrast
    3. Strong or weak rotation or no rotation, with obvious contrast
    4. Low arc
    5. Precise or tricky landing point
  • Five serving strategies in the game
    1. Observe the opponent’s state and serve
    2. Serve according to their own state
    3. Change five elements
    4. Variable rhythm serve
    5. Key point serve

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.

Latest News

WTT Incheon Update: Three Thursday Upsets, Tough Draws for the Americans

April 3, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) The WTT Champions Series event in Incheon is picking up steam heading toward… Read More

Limited Time: Save 10% on MLTT Championship Tickets!

April 2, 2025
It All Comes Down to This After an intense season, only four MLTT teams remain. The stakes couldn’t… Read More

Searching For The Perfect Balance Between Speed And Control In A Professional Table Tennis Blade?

April 2, 2025
(By Bowmar Sports/Nathan Britt) The Butterfly Fan Zhendong CNF might just be the best-kept secret in the high-performance… Read More

Butterfly Unveils Official Game Shirt for Japanese Men’s and Women’s National Teams

April 2, 2025
(by Butterfly Global) Japanese Men’s and Women’s National Teams to wear the new shirt starting April 1, 2025… Read More

WTT Champions Incheon: Sang-Su Surprise in Korea

April 1, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) The WTT Champions Series event is in Incheon Korea this week, and a huge upset… Read More

FETHOMANIA 21: Drill 1

April 1, 2025
FETHOMANIA 21: Drill 1 – Robot plays long topspin to Backhand, Logan Backhand chop to Backhand, robot plays… Read More

Study Opponents’ Serves

March 31, 2025
(by Larry Hodges) The single most important thing you have to adjust to with any given opponent is… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Vancouver Table Tennis Club

March 30, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) The Vancouver Table Tennis Club (VTTC) stands as one of the largest table tennis facilities… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.