Spin in Table Tennis – How Does it Work

and How Do You Create it?

Without getting too much into the science behind it all, in effect the spin on the ball puts
a force on the ball which is at right angles to the direction it is moving. This force will
affect the flight of the ball.

There are three main spins to understand in table tennis:

1. Topspin
2. Backspin
3. Sidespin

We will be examining all three of these spins, as well as taking a look at how to create
your own spin when playing table tennis, and how different strokes can create varying
amounts of spin and speed. But first, here’s a video of mine which showcases the effect
of the different spins on the flight of the ball, and what happens when they hit
your racket.

Topspin – How does it Work?

With topspin, the ball is rotating forward so that the to

the ball is moving in the same direction that the ball is

travelling. The force exerted on the ball by its spin wil

generally downwards (assuming the ball has been hit

almost horizontally). This downward force works in th

same direction as gravity, causing the ball to dip faster

towards the table.

To
It is the effect of topspin that allows advanced players

hit the ball with amazing power from below the net, bu
pspin’s effect on the ball. © Greg Letts
still land the ball on the other side of the table.

Backspin – How does it Work?

With backspin, the bottom of the ball is moving in the

same direction that the ball is travelling. The force exe

on the ball by its spin will be generally upwards (again

assuming the ball has been hit almost horizontally). Th

upward force works in the opposite direction to gravity

causing the ball to drop more slowly.

Since a table tennis ball is light and easily slowed by a

heavy backspin stroke performed from several feet fro

the table will often slow down it’s forward speed quite

noticeably over the opponent’s side of the table, then

Ba
slowly fall onto the playing surface. This ‘stop and dro
ckspin’s effect on the ball. © Greg Letts
effect is used by defenders when playing against topsp

attacks.

Sidespin – How does it Work?

When sidespin is applied, the force on the ball will be

parallel to the ground and towards the left or right side

The ball will drop at the same speed as a no-spin ball,

it will curve to the left or the right in the air.

Sidespin can be combined with either topspin or backs

to produce a moving ball that is acted on by a

combination of both forces. A ball with topspin and

sidespin will drop faster and curve to the left or right,

while a ball with backspin and sidespin will tend to dr

slowly and curve at the same time. It’s not possible to

Sid
both types of sidespin on the ball, or topspin and back
espin’s effect on the ball. © Greg Letts
at the same time (if you can, please let me know how!

How Do You Create Spin?

I’ve written in some detail below about the differences between hitting the ball with no
spin, heavy spin and low speed, and with both spin and speed. But first, I’d suggest
watching this 6 minute video that will make the explanation below clearer.

How Do You Create Spin? A No-Spin Stroke.

Spin is applied to the ball by brushing or skimming the

ball instead of making square contact. Think of a line

going straight out from the bat in the direction

the rubber surface is travelling. If the line goes through

the center of the ball when the ball is struck, maximum

speed will be given and no spin will be applied. The

closer the line is to the edge of the ball, the more spin

be put on the ball, and the less speed. In practice, the l

is always somewhere in between these two extremes,

giving more spin and less speed the closer the line is to

the edge of the ball.

The diagram illustrates the first case, where the ball is

A
struck squarely by the rubber surface, with the directio
no-spin stroke. © Greg Letts
motion of the bat going straight through the center of t

ball. No spin will be applied by this stroke, but a lot of

speed will be given.

How Do You Create Spin? A High-Spin Stroke.

The diagram illustrates the second extreme, where the

direction of motion of the rubber surface is almost at t

edge of the ball. This stroke will produce a heavy spin

the ball, but not much speed.

high-spin stroke. © Greg Letts

How Do You Create Spin? Combining Spin and Speed.

The diagram shows what will happen when the directi

the rubber surface is travelling is in between the center

and the edge of the ball. The closer the line to the edge

the ball, the more spin will be given and the less speed

and the closer the line to the center of the ball, the mor

speed will be given and the less spin.

This means that for the same amount of bat speed, you

can generate completely different amounts of spin and

speed on the ball, just by varying the way you contact

A
ball.
stroke with spin and speed. © Greg Letts

How Do You Create Spin? Keeping the Spin the Same While Changing
Speed.
By adjusting the direction the rubber surface travels

vertically or horizontally, you can also change the

horizontal speed of the ball. The diagram above shows

two strokes that would produce the same speed and sp

on the ball. They will not appear to be the same to the

opponent though.

Stroke A is a more upward stroke, and will give a retu

that has more upward speed and less forward speed. T

opponent will see this as a slower, high topspin.

Stroke B is a more forward stroke, and will give a retu

that has more forward speed and less upward speed. T

opponent will see this as a faster, low topspin.

Str

okes with the same spin but different speeds. © Greg Remember that both balls are equally spinny. So this

Letts means that a ball that is coming at you faster and lowe

not necessarily less spinny than a ball that is coming

slower and higher. Tricky stuff!

Learning to Loop for Beginners

Given that the loop is such an important shot in table tennis, the process of learning to
put heavy topspin on the ball is vital to your progress. Here’s a short video explaining a
terrific drill that will help you learn correct looping technique and contact quickly.
Now that you know how spin works and how to create your own, let’s move on to how to
use spin properly.

Related Pages:
1. How to Handle Spin in Table Tennis
2. Spin in Table Tennis
3. How To Use Spin In Table Tennis

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