Ovtcharov`s backhand service

In this post I will analyze Ovtachrov's backhand service. This is the most famous Ovtcharov's own invention service. The starting position and the way he hits the balls are unique. Dima plays this service most of the times short and rarely long.

Part A - Short service

Let's have a look at the short service:

The aim of the service is to play a side/upper spin on the forehand side of the opponent, hoping he is going to respond with his forehand...why this? because, due to the type of the spin and to the ball's direction, if the opponent responds with the forehand it is really hard, even if not impossible, to keep the ball low and short. In most cases the ball comes back to Dima short/high or long/low, which allows him to start attacking (third ball attack).

Bearing this in mind you can understand why Dima executes this service from his right side (forehand side) and not, as any table tennis trainer would teach, from the right side being already in a good position to use his forehand. In fact, Dima needs to make a left-side step backwards while hitting the ball, but this causes absolutely no issues to him, when the ball is back he is already in a good position to play his forehand:

Dima's body position is very important, when he srikes the ball he is in the best position to give the ball the right spin and direction. If he would be facing the table, like any other player does when playing the backhand service, his service would not be that effective.

Some more examples:

Here against a penholder, look what for a side-spin!!

Also Xu Xin, can have trouble receiving such a service even if he is a left-hand player:

Also notice Dima`s position when he hits the ball...completely on his right side of the table:

But when he plays the third ball he is already in a good position to play his forehand top-spin.

Let's see what happens if Dima's opponent responds to the service with his backhand. There are mainly two ways the opponent can respond: with a push or a with a flick, I think the flick is the most effective one as with the flick the aim is to take the initiative, the push is a passive stroke and if the blade has not the right angle the ball is returned badly.

A good push return by Bojan Tokic:


A good flick return again by Bojan:

Part B - Long Backhand Service

Let's have a look now at some variation of this backhand service. Sometimes Dima plays the service long and parallel on the opponent's backhand, many players are surprised by this and respond to the service with a long push:




Sometimes Dima plays the backhand service long and diagonal on the forehand side of the opponent knowing that it will be very likely that his opponent will respond with a diagonal top spin, in which case Dima will respond with a counter forehand top-spin: