Shlomo Adelman is a Queens, New York–based executive and community leader who serves as chief administrative officer of EVO Home Care, where he oversees HR strategy, compliance, and organizational development. His work focuses on building equitable hiring systems, strengthening employee engagement, and aligning people operations with long-term organizational goals. Shlomo Adelman also brings extensive experience in education and community leadership, having served as menahel (principal) at campuses of the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County, where he emphasized academic rigor, personal growth, and values-based education. He has been recognized as Volunteer of the Year by Young Israel of Houston for his commitment to synagogue life and community service, including overseeing daily services and supporting congregational growth. Beyond his professional and communal roles, Shlomo Adelman is an avid table tennis player who enjoys studying the technical aspects of the game. He regularly coaches and mentors newer players, viewing each match as an opportunity to learn and refine skills, particularly in areas such as spin control and shot variation.
A Basic Overview of Spin Shots in Table Tennis
Table tennis developed as a sport during the late 1800s as an offshoot of lawn tennis. About one century later, the globalized sport reached a new audience with its debut at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. In addition to opportunities for physical exercise and social recreation, table tennis provides players with a range of benefits, from improved balance and reflexes to reduced stress levels. Individuals interested in improving their table tennis skills should learn about the game’s various types of spin and how to execute spin shots during matches.
New players should not underestimate the importance of spin in table tennis. Experts rank spin among the three most important factors in the sport, along with speed and power. Players can hit shots with five types of spin, in addition to hitting shots with no spin whatsoever.
For amateur players, backspin is arguably the most common spin shot in amateur table tennis. Backspin is effective and relatively easy to execute. Players generate backspin by hitting a forehand or backhand push, one of the sport’s most fundamental shots. Push shots and backspin are ideal when the player cannot attack. However, backspin shots travel slowly through the air and bounce up after hitting the table, making them vulnerable to topspin attacks.
Topspin is the most important spin shot, especially for players who want to play at more competitive levels. As balls rotate forward at an accelerated rate due to top spin, the Magnus effect pulls them downward. It makes it more likely for balls to land on the table, allowing players to hit more aggressive attacking shots. Furthermore, topspin shots bounce forward after hitting the table, making them harder for opponents to attack.
Table tennis players can hit various shots with sidespin, but this type of spin is more common during service motions. Returners will struggle to attack a well-struck serve with significant sidespin. That said, players can sometimes add sidespin to topspin shots, making it very difficult for opponents to block incoming attacks. Sidespin shots do not change trajectory much after hitting the table, but typically curve as they travel through the air, forcing opponents to reposition.
Combining sidespin and topspin is not the only way to mix spins in table tennis. The mixed spin shot is a combination of two or more spins. Mixed spin shots, such as the boomerang flick, rank among the more complex shots in the sport. New players should master the basic spin shots before attempting to combine different spins.
The cork spin shot is another complicated shot that may challenge novice players. That said, it is also one of the sport’s most effective shots. Depending on which direction the ball is spinning, cork spin shots will bounce from left to right or right to left after hitting the table. Advanced players often add this spin to lobs, causing opponents to mistime their smash returns. This type of lob is known as a snake shot.
Lastly, table tennis players must learn how to hit no-spin shots, especially as an attacking shot designed to end points. A few examples of no-spin shots in table tennis include float serves and fake topspin attacks.
About Shlomo Adelman
Shlomo Adelman is a chief administrative officer at EVO Home Care in Queens, New York, with a background in HR strategy, compliance, and organizational development. He previously served as menahel at the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County, fostering academic excellence and values-based education. Deeply involved in community service, he was named Volunteer of the Year by Young Israel of Houston. An avid table tennis player, he also coaches and mentors newcomers to the sport.