The Importance of Returning Serves

Listed below are the main reasons why the return of serve is so important in table tennis today:

• As we discussed previously, the serve is used by smart opponents to help set up their attacks. Good returns of serve can neutralize the server's advantage and put the receiver into the rally on equal terms.
• Very good returns of serve can actually take the initiative from the server, and allow the receiver to get his own attack started first, forcing the rally to develop along the receiver's own favorite type of play.
• If you can't return serve well, you won't be able to use your rallying skills at their best. You will always be on the defensive when you are the receiver, since the server will be able to dominate the game with a good serve and powerful follow up attack. Remember that you will have to return serve on 50% of all points in singles - there's no way to avoid it!
• As one of the most difficult aspects of table tennis to master, the serve return also has the greatest potential for improving your game. The return of serve is often the most neglected aspect of the beginner and intermediate player's game (advanced players have usually learnt better from bitter experience). With a little work you can soon have a better return of serve than most of your competition (since they are generally not practicing their return of serve at all), which is a handy edge to have.
• Having a good return of serve can increase the pressure on your opponent, since he knows that he must serve well to prevent you from attacking him. It is very difficult to serve well when you are tense from knowing that anything less than a good serve will be attacked ruthlessly by your opponent!