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Glite Dictionary
🔄 A backward spin 🔄 To spin backward
underspin

underspin

1 8.2
A backwards turn of a ball that makes it bounce low when it lands
  • noun
  • /ˈʌndərˌspɪn/
  • Jargon
translation icon : retroceso
  • Coaches often teach beginners how to create underspin for better control of the ball.

Examples

  • Adding underspin to your shot can make it harder for your opponent to return.

  • The table tennis player used underspin to make the ball stay low over the net.

  • The player used underspin to keep the ball low.

  • He hit the ball with underspin to confuse his opponent.

  • The table tennis player used underspin to make the ball stay low over the net.

  • Adding underspin to your shot can make it harder for your opponent to return.

  • Coaches often teach beginners how to create underspin for better control of the ball.

Synonyms

backspin
vsunderspin
4 3.7

A backward turn of a ball that makes it slow or move back after it bounces

causes a low bounce on landing rather than slowing forward motion
undercut
vsunderspin
  • Jargon
7.4

A stroke that makes the ball spin backward so it drops quickly

produces a low bounce on landing instead of focusing on mid-flight rotation

Surface Forms

underspin singular
underspins plural

Morphology

underspin = spin (semi-transparent) = under + spin

The word clearly combines 'under' and 'spin', but the technical sports sense is somewhat specialized and not fully predictable for learners.

Etymology

The word underspin comes from under 'below' and spin 'turn'. It means a backward spin that makes the ball bounce low, so think of turning the ball 'under' to keep it down.