table tennis glossary
What is a Backspin in Table Tennis?
Backspin (or "underspin") is reverse spin imparted by brushing under the ball. Backspin shots tend to die on the bounce and are harder to attack. The basic defensive shot.
Example in a match
Your opponent serves with heavy backspin. You push the ball back to neutralise — you can't attack a heavy backspin serve directly.
Table Tennis scoring with Volley
Volley scores table tennis with all the standard rules built in. Pick the sport at match setup, name your sides, and tap to score. Volley applies the rules from there — including the ones that involve "Backspin".
Free on iOS and Android. Multi-sport scoring across 9 sports with proper sport-specific scoring engines, ELO rating tracking, and tournament running.
Frequently asked questions
What is a backspin in table tennis?
Backspin (or "underspin") is reverse spin imparted by brushing under the ball. Backspin shots tend to die on the bounce and are harder to attack. The basic defensive shot.
Does Volley handle backspin automatically?
Yes. Volley's table tennis scoring engine handles every standard rule including backspin. You don't have to track it manually — pick the sport at match setup and Volley applies the rules.
Where can I learn more table tennis terms?
The full Table Tennis glossary is at /table-tennis-terms-glossary, with 20 of the most common terms explained.