The tomahawk serve is one of the most popular serves in table tennis and can be used to great effect in both offensive and defensive situations. The serve is characterized by a fast, low trajectory, and is often used to surprise and confuse opponents. The serve was first popularized by Chinese players in the 1980s, and has since become one of the most popular serves in table tennis. In this article, we will look at the technique involved in performing the tomahawk serve, the pros and cons of using it, and who makes the best tomahawk serve.
What is a tomahawk serve in table tennis
The tomahawk serve involves a fast, low trajectory and is usually performed with the serve hand held low and close to the table. The ball should be thrown with a flat trajectory and should be directed towards the opponent’s elbow.

The spin should be applied at the last moment by a flick of the wrist. A good tomahawk serve should have a fast speed and should land close to the net.
The advantage of tomahawk serve in table tennis:
One of the main advantages of the tomahawk serve is that it can be used to surprise and confuse opponents. The low trajectory and fast speed of the serve makes it hard to read and anticipate. Additionally, the serve can be used to set up a follow-up attack or to defend against an aggressive attack.
- Tomahawk serves are very deceptive as they look like regular backspin serves from the receiver’s perspective.The spin generated by a tomahawk serve is much stronger and more consistent than a regular backspin serve.
- It is more resistant to backspin returns than a regular backspin serve.
- It can be used to surprise an opponent who is expecting a regular backspin serve.
- It can be used to generate more spin when serving short.
- It is more effective when serving wide due to the increased spin.
- It can be used to generate an angled effect to the left or right.
- It can be used to put more pressure on the opponent.
- It is less likely to be returned with a loop due to the increased spin.
- The tomahawk serve is more effective when serving close to the net due to the increased spin.
However, there are some drawbacks to the tomahawk serve. The serve is difficult to control and can result in easy points for the opponent if it is not performed correctly. Additionally, the serve requires a lot of practice and the player should be comfortable with the technique before attempting to use it in a match.
What type of spin does a tomahawk serve generate on the ball
The Tomahawk Serve can generate a lot of spin on the ball. It is usually used to generate backspin, but it can also be used to generate topspin or sidespin. The amount of spin generated depends on the speed and angle at which the ball is hit, as well as the amount of wrist action used.
Is Tomahawk serve good?
Who Makes the Best Tomahawk Serve
There are many players who have mastered the tomahawk serve and are able to use it effectively in matches. Some of the most notable players include Chinese players such as Ma Long and Zhang Jike, as well as European players such as Timo Boll and Dimitrij Ovtcharov.

However, all players have their own style and technique when performing the tomahawk serve, so it is difficult to say who makes the best tomahawk serve.
Tomahawk Serve how to learn
To learn the tomahawk serve, start by practicing the basic motion of the stroke without a ball. Make sure to move your body and arms in one smooth motion. When you are ready, add a ball to the practice and aim to hit the ball at the highest point of the serve. Make sure to flick the wrist at the end of the stroke to generate spin. As you become more comfortable with the motion, experiment with different spins and serve types, such as reverse tomahawk and high toss. With practice, you should be able to master the tomahawk serve and use it in your matches.
Ding Ning tomahawk serve (Backhand) video
The Tomahawk Serve, also known as the Reverse Tomahawk Serve, is a powerful and deceptive technique used by world-class table tennis players such as Ding Ning. It is a serve that is hit with a lot of spin and can be tough for opponents to read. The technique involves the player holding the paddle between the index and middle fingers, with the thumb and other fingers supporting the handle of the paddle. The player then rapidly moves the paddle back and forth while rotating it, creating a lot of spin on the ball. The Tomahawk Serve is an advanced technique and takes a lot of practice to perfect, but it can be a very effective serve.
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