halp!!! topspin lob

[guedoguedo]

Everytime i try to hit a topspin lob I try to spin it, and it ends up being a ridiculously easy overhead in doubles (falls very short) . I am obviously doing it wrong. I know this shot is all feel but if i could get it down it would be huge in doubles. What is the technique?

[J to tha C]

slow swing with as much contact you can feel possible. Practice it to get the right power for depth.

[Bagumbawalla]

Agree with above. Practice is the key. As with any stroke you don't use very often, you neet to be ready to execute it when needed.

And you can't just suddenly start hitting them better just by reading something and trying to execute the shot under pressure (when you normally hit a topspin lob).

So just work the topspin lob into your practice schedule. Get to the ball early, open your racket face (you will have to find the exact angle through trial and error- but start with about 45 degrees, whip the racket up and though the ball, aiming to a high point about midway between yourself and the opponent's baseline.

After about 15 minutes of hitting too short and too long and too low and way too high, you will get the feel of hitting it "just right".

A good practice is to have your partner hit a medium speed approach shot and follow it to the net while you try to lob it gracefully over his head.

Note- it is way easier to hit topspin lobs from the forehand side. That is what I'd practice first.

Good luck,

B

[The Gorilla]

hit a normal deep baseline groundstroke, hit the ball at a higher and higher trajectory until it is a lob, memorize the shot and practice it.

[TalkingTennis91]

Also, it is a shot to be hit with the entire arm. Not just the wrist.

As with anything, especially normal forehand groundstrokes, using predominantly your wrist will cause the ball to fall short. Be sure to use your entire arm to execute this shot.

[Bodacious DVT]

to get topspin:

get a ball and go up to the net. trap the ball between the net and your racquet. brush straight up on the ball to get it over the net.

thats how it should feel.

to get penetration:

this takes more time. you want to take a full stroke, but you need the right combination of topspin. use your whole arm to generate the shot. to start out with, finish with your racquet up in the air. you'll look stupid, but thats expected. alot of the power comes from your opponent's shot. its tricky but you'll get it soon enough.

sidenote: you want your lob to peak above the service line. also aiming it to their BH volley helps, even if they get it, it will be weaker

[bluestreak711]

http://uspta.com/index.cfm/MenuItemID/1644/MenuGroup/New-USPTA-Education.htm



look under the specialty shots for "Topspin lob with Rick Macci" and see if that helps

[Off The Wall]

If I were your partner, I wouldn't want you exploring topspin lobs on my time. As you've noticed, in the hands of an amateur, it's a low percentage shot.

Practice the shot during practice. Meanwhile, hit your basic, boring lobs during matches. It will push your opponent's back and allow you to take the net.

Sometimes you have to work the point to take control. Don't 'do or die' prematurely.

[Zets147]

sky ball the hell out of it, for both enjoyment and frustrating your opponents lmao

[JohnS]

sky ball the hell out of it, for both enjoyment and frustrating your opponents lmao


LOL, not a bad idea imo. Get a good feel of just launching it up. And once you've had fun. Just focus on hitting the ball high while aiming it deep pass the service line. DO NOT focus too much on topspin for now. Eventually, once you feel comfortable placing it, topspin will come naturally.