How to Do Pendulum and Reverse Pendulum Serves

The world of professional table tennis, or pingpong, is far more advanced than the recreational game, and the typical professional player has several serves available, including the pendulum and reverse pendulum serves. These serves are similar in that they put spin on the ball, causing it go across the table in an arc, or pendulum. This can potentially confuse your opponent, and score you some early points if you manage to execute well.

Instructions

  1. Pendulum Serve

    • 1

      Hold the paddle with the end of your thumb across the top of the wood of the paddle handle, on the front. Point your index finger diagonally across the rear of the paddle rubber, and fold your other three fingers as if you were forming a fist, and do not wrap them around the handle.

    • 2

      Stand in the forehand corner of the table, with your left foot and left shoulder back, so that you face away from the table. This position is primarily to hide what serve you are doing from your opponent.

    • 3

      Toss the ball up, and take your paddle back and up, with the hitting face open. As the ball comes down swing forward and down with the paddle, keeping the paddle face open. Use your elbow as a pivot point.

    • 4

      Create a backspin shot by striking the ball in the back-right portion of the paddle, early in your swing. For a pure sidespin shot, strike the ball at the bottom of the swing, and strike further back on the ball. To create topspin, graze the ball as you pull up from the lowest point of your swing.

    Reverse Pendulum Serve

    • 5

      Hold the paddle with your thumb on the rubber, on the front of the paddle. Your thumb should be on the outside of the handle, and pointed toward the peak of the paddle. Fold your fingers, similar to the motion of making a fist, and hold them against the bottom rubber.

    • 6

      Stand in the forehand corner of the table, with your left foot and left shoulder back, so that you face away from the table. This position is primarily to hide what serve you are doing from your opponent.

    • 7

      Throw the ball up, and as you do so, bring the paddle down and back, with the paddle pointed downward and at a slight angle, with the top of the paddle, which is pointed downward, slightly forward. The paddle face should also be slightly angled, toward you.

    • 8

      Strike the ball by bringing the paddle forward and away from you, so that graze the ball and put the necessary spin on it. Use your wrist to create most of the motion.

    • 9

      Contact the ball on the bottom, inside of the paddle to keep the ball slow, and thus more dangerous for your opponent. Striking the ball more toward the point of the paddle and inside will give the ball more speed.