Site Products
Coach Jeffrey Zeng

How to Train a Good Serve

Posted on

(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

Racket Under the Table?

February 23, 2026
Robot plays long topspin balls to long Backhand, Logan plays Backhand chop block (Hack) off the bounce, robot… Read More

Positioning Part 4 of 4: Recovery

February 23, 2026
(By Larry Hodges, Member of US Table Tennis Hall of Fame, www.tabletenniscoaching.com/blog) This could be the most important… Read More

Arantxa Cossio Aceves – WTT Las Vegas Highlights

February 23, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Bowmar Sports Tournament Highlights,  Arantxa Cossio Aceves Aceves is in action at the… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: ProSmash Table Tennis

February 22, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) ProSmash Table Tennis offers a unique approach to ping pong training for children. With a… Read More

Early Action in Singapore: Kanak Jha into Round of 32

February 22, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) The top players in the world have converged this week in Singapore for… Read More

Sally Moyland Fights Through Qualifiers at Singapore Smash

February 22, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) The top players in the world have converged this week in Singapore for… Read More

Nishant Lebaka – Falkenburg Modified

February 22, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Nishant Lebaka is executing a modified Falkenburg, with the addition… Read More

Arantxa Cossio Aceves – Long Distance Forehand & Backhand Looping

February 21, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Bowmar Sports Highlights,  Arantxa Cossio Aceves is executing Forehand & Backhand Loops from… 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.