How to put spin on a ping pong ball

Putting spin on the ball is what turns "just hitting it back" into real table tennis. The good news: the principle is the same for every spin. You do not need strength. You need a thin contact and paddle speed at the right moment.

This guide covers the principle, step by step instructions for each spin, and drills you can do alone or with a partner.

The principle: brush, do not push

Spin comes from friction between the rubber and the ball. When the paddle hits through the ball, close to its center, almost all the energy becomes speed. When the paddle grazes the ball, near its edge, the energy becomes spin.

In practice every stroke mixes the two. An attacking loop has a thin contact with plenty of forward drive; a heavy backspin serve has a very thin contact and almost no speed.

The 4 rules of spin

1. Thin contact. The paddle passes near the edge of the ball, not through the center.
2. Accelerate at contact. Spin depends on paddle speed at the instant it touches the ball. A short, fast stroke spins more than a big, slow one.
3. Stroke direction. It sets the type of spin (see the table below).
4. Grippy rubber. Grippy, tacky rubbers spin far more than hard, worn ones. See our rubber guide.

How to put topspin on a ping pong ball

1. Start with your paddle below the ball, face almost square.
2. Swing up and forward, accelerating.
3. Graze the back and top of the ball.
4. Finish high.

More in what is topspin.

How to put backspin on a ping pong ball

1. Open your paddle so the face points up.
2. Start slightly above the ball.
3. Slide under the ball, forward and down, speeding up at contact.
4. Touch the bottom of the ball with the thinnest contact you can.

On serves, contacting nearer the tip of the paddle with a fast wrist adds more backspin. See what is backspin.

How to put sidespin on the ball

1. Hold the paddle nearly vertical with the face turned sideways.
2. Sweep the paddle across the side of the ball with a loose wrist.
3. Accelerate at contact, moving up or down as you cross to blend in topspin or backspin.

How to practice spin on your own

• Spin bounces. Bounce the ball up with an open paddle, grazing its underside. It should spin in the air and come back down without rising much.
• Come-back serve. At the table, serve with so much backspin that the ball bounces near the net and rolls back toward your side. It is a great test of how much backspin you create. Check the serve rules before you practice.
• Marked ball. Draw a line around a ball with a marker. When it spins well, the line blurs.
• Against a wall. Practice topspin against a wall and watch whether the ball dips.

Common mistakes when trying to spin

1. Hitting through the ball. It comes off fast with no spin.
2. A slow stroke. Without acceleration at contact, the spin is weak.
3. A stiff arm. Your wrist and forearm need to be loose.
4. Dirty or worn rubber. Clean your rubber often and replace it when it loses grip.
5. Trying to spin and smash at once without technique. Learn to spin slowly first, then add speed.

Frequently asked questions