Backswing when receiving

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   During a rally, I can read what spin is going to be hit on the ball quite early so as soon as I can see what side (Fh or Bh) the ball is being directed I can both start my backswing and set the racket angle for the type of spin coming at me.  However, when receiving I know which side the ball is going way before I recognize what spin is on the ball.   For long serves I do not know how low to drop the blade  nor do I know what blade angle to set until I recognize the spin.  For short serves the blade height is not really an issue, but I do have to delay setting the blade angle until I recognize the spin.
So the questions are: 
1.  For long serves do I 
a) Take a more horizontal backswing with a neutral blade angle and then drop the racket as needed (a little for topspin serves and a lot for underspin serves) and at the same time set my blade angle.
or 
b) Take a very low backswing (low enough for underspin) and then raise the racket if I determine the serve is topspin.
c) Try to hold off on any backswing until I determine the spin

2. For short serves do I
a) Approach the ball with a closed racket as I would for topspin and then open if I see underspin
b) Approach the ball with a neutral racket and then adjust open or closed as I read the spin.
or
c) Approach the ball with an open racket and then adjust closed if I read topspin.

Note: I can not do a chiquita flip because of wrist movement limitations from old injury so that shot is out.

Mark

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mjamja Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Platinum Member Joined: 05/30/2009 Status: Offline Points: 2895	Post Options Post Reply Quote mjamja Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Backswing when receiving Posted: 12/04/2014 at 2:06pm
	During a rally, I can read what spin is going to be hit on the ball quite early so as soon as I can see what side (Fh or Bh) the ball is being directed I can both start my backswing and set the racket angle for the type of spin coming at me. However, when receiving I know which side the ball is going way before I recognize what spin is on the ball. For long serves I do not know how low to drop the blade nor do I know what blade angle to set until I recognize the spin. For short serves the blade height is not really an issue, but I do have to delay setting the blade angle until I recognize the spin. So the questions are: 1. For long serves do I a) Take a more horizontal backswing with a neutral blade angle and then drop the racket as needed (a little for topspin serves and a lot for underspin serves) and at the same time set my blade angle. or b) Take a very low backswing (low enough for underspin) and then raise the racket if I determine the serve is topspin. c) Try to hold off on any backswing until I determine the spin 2. For short serves do I a) Approach the ball with a closed racket as I would for topspin and then open if I see underspin b) Approach the ball with a neutral racket and then adjust open or closed as I read the spin. or c) Approach the ball with an open racket and then adjust closed if I read topspin. Note: I can not do a chiquita flip because of wrist movement limitations from old injury so that shot is out. Mark

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mts388 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Platinum Member Joined: 03/21/2014 Location: Sonora CA Status: Offline Points: 2382	Post Options Post Reply Quote mts388 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12/04/2014 at 4:17pm
	For me it's easier to start low than high. If I start high and have to go low for a backspin serve, I then have to go high again for the stroke (two movements). If I start low and need to go high, it's just one movement. Hopefully I will figure it out as the ball leaves the servers paddle. The difference between my high and low is probably only six inches. Edited by mts388 - 12/04/2014 at 5:56pm

NextLevel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Moderator Joined: 12/15/2011 Location: Somewhere Good Status: Offline Points: 14842	Post Options Post Reply Quote NextLevel Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12/04/2014 at 4:42pm
	If you start low and they serve topspin, you will lift the ball off the table. Backspin is slower than topspin and fast backspin is not as heavy. I don't return long serves consistently, but there is a video on this on xkaboom's channel. All the good players I have listened to have told me that you need to prioritize topspin because you get more time to return heavy backspin. Therefore racket at table height until you see it is backspin and you vcan drip the paddle after. Most of the work should be done by racket head speed and racket angle so it is a pity your wrist hurts. Edited by NextLevel - 12/04/2014 at 4:44pm
	I like putting heavy topspin on the ball... Cybershape Carbon FH/BH: H3P 41D. Lumberjack TT, not for lovers of beautiful strokes. No time to train...