Why Ma Long Switched to Reverse-Spin Serves Against Wang Chuqin
Why Ma Long Switched to Reverse-Spin Serves Against Wang Chuqin
This is a brand-new, technique-focused column presented in a Q&A format. The mysterious expert providing the answers is a former national team player (now a senior coach) who wishes to remain anonymous. They prefer a quiet life and a good night’s sleep over fame. The team at Heima Pingpang believes sharing these technical insights is valuable and serves as a great supplement to our ‘Heima Talks Table Tennis’ series. Thus, the ‘Peak of Perfection’ column was born.
During the 2024 Macau World Cup men’s singles semifinals, why did Ma Long primarily use reverse-spin serves against Wang Chuqin? How do these differ from regular spin serves?
Wang Chuqin is a left-handed player. When Ma Long serves a reverse-spin ball to Wang’s forehand short, Wang is hesitant to execute a powerful backhand flick. This is because Wang’s flicking motion is optimized for generating power to the left, but Ma Long’s reverse-spin serve also rotates to the left, making it risky for Wang to apply full force. If he does, he would need to move a greater distance to the left to find the ball’s left rear position.
If Wang moves a greater distance to his forehand side and then attempts a flick, Ma Long can counter with a straight push, leaving Wang in a very uncomfortable and passive position.
In simple terms, after Ma Long serves a reverse-spin, Wang Chuqin is less likely to apply full power and must instead focus on adding more arc to the ball. This results in more returns to Ma Long’s backhand. If the ball does come to Ma Long’s forehand, the lack of power and speed from Wang’s shot makes it an easy point for Ma Long’s forehand.
If Ma Long were to use a regular spin serve, the ball would spin to the right. As a left-handed player, Wang Chuqin would find it easier to generate power with his left-handed motion because he can leverage the spin.
Ma Long is a player who often employs unexpected tactics, making his play style very cunning. Against players like Liang Jingkun, his frequent switching between forehand and backhand can make it seem like he’s playing unpredictably. Against Lin Gaoyuan, if he’s struggling to win, his deliberate slowing of the pace can easily be misinterpreted as a lack of effort or even match-fixing by onlookers.
Dealing with Unclear Spin in Receives
If you’re unsure about the spin, wait until the ball descends before making your move. At this point, it’s easier to judge if the ball is pure backspin. If it’s a weak backspin, no-spin, or a weak topspin, place your racket below the ball at about an 80-degree angle and accelerate, pushing the ball forward with the blade. This can significantly counteract the opponent’s spin. You can also try to angle the push.
If you have good touch, adding a ‘sweep’ motion while pushing can help you impart some spin of your own.
Key Points for Beginners
The key for children just starting to play is not to focus on power. Instead, concentrate on finding your balance and core. Learn to leverage your body and develop your feel for the ball. Avoid trying to hit hard before mastering the basics, as this leads to power generated from the arms rather than the core, which can be difficult to correct later on.
