How to return Weird flat/no spin serves

Hi Pingskills, 

That day I encountered a "pretty hopeless" player who has really bad techniques. He didn't even wear proper attire to the match. He was literally in his working attire! But guess what? I lost to him 0-2. 

I know you guys on Pingskills here had discussed about the "Ping Pong Zone" player but that's not what I fear about this player. It is his serves! 

We play in a round robin format so I had a couple of chances watching him play and analysing his game close up as the umpire. I notice most of his are dead or no spin. I watch his serves closely and realised he hits flat for most of his serves and his opponents also pops up most of his returns. 

I came to the conclusion that if I do face him, I can easily flick all of his serves. Boy was I wrong! Every time I try to flick, my serves will end up in the net. And when I try to push, the ball will fly off the end of the table so I very sure those serves are definitely dead. And I am very sure they are the same serves and he did no variation because the ball still felt empty despite going into the net. The inability to return his serves definitely destroyed my mental game as I know this player could never beat me in a normal rally but I had no chance to bring the point to that level because I simply couldn't return his serves. Please help me Pingskills! 

Hi Eugene,

Facing a player with unconventional serves can indeed be a tough challenge, but don't get disheartened—this is a great opportunity for learning and improving your game! Here’s how you can tackle those tricky no-spin, flat serves:

If you're noticing that your flicks are consistently going into the net and your pushes are flying off the table, it likely means your bat angle isn't quite right for the type of shot you're attempting. For no-spin serves where the ball doesn't “bite” into the rubber as much, you’ll need to open your bat slightly for flicks (not too much, just a bit more than usual) and close it a tad for pushes.

No-spin serves don’t offer the resistance that spin serves do, causing the ball to respond differently to the force you use. Use a softer, more controlled touch, especially when pushing. The key is gentle handling to keep the ball low over the net and reduce the risk of long balls.

Without having to counter heavy spin, you can focus more on placing your returns to difficult spots for your opponent. Aim for wide angles, deep balls, or short and close to the net. Making him move or adjust awkwardly could lead to easier points for you.

No-spin serves can be tricky mainly due to their unpredictability and the different contact they require. Spend some time during your practice sessions working exclusively on returning no-spin balls. This can involve having a practice partner serve you a variety of no-spin serves or using a multi-ball setup.

It’s easy to get frustrated when faced with unusual tactics. Remember, staying focused and calm will help you adjust your game and figure out effective strategies to counter your opponent’s serving style. Each return is an opportunity to learn and adapt.

Since you’ve observed your opponent not varying his serves much, use this to your advantage by mentally and physically preparing for these types of serves. Predicting his serve can give you an extra split second to position yourself and execute the right return. In sum, take these serves as a challenge to enhance your skills rather than a roadblock. With the right adjustments and a bit of strategic focus, you’ll likely find yourself handling these serves better and turning the tide in future matches. Keep practicing, stay positive, and good luck! Let us know how it goes!