Flat vs Spin

[Fed Kennedy]

Delpo is 6 7. He has built-in margin on his shots. Nadal's forehand is easily returned? Wha?

[Wes_Loves_Dunlop]

i personally think that hitting with a little more than avg spin on regular shots is better. when going on the attack, flat is better imo.
When i play my friend who hits pretty flat, i can just hit my strokes pretty easily and all the pace gets transferred back. My other friend has a lot of spin and hits with a lot of pace, but I have to put in effort because there is a lot more weight behind the shot

[T1000]

I like a little less spin than average because I serve and volley and play an old school attacking game, but for todays game, a little more than average for normal shots and defense, and then less than average for attacking

[coloskier]

It all depends on what kind of court you are playing on. On clay, obviously more spin is better, since a flat ball just sits up on most clay courts. But on faster courts, a flat ball is a much more penetrating shot. The last thing a player wants to see who likes to play with control and likes to take his time setting up his shot is a flat shot that skips through the court.

[jazzyfunkybluesy]

If you can hit both you start to notice the right time to use certain shots.

[laboule]

Flat ftw! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUwXW...eature=related check the 3 consecutive forehands at around 17s.

[Anaconda]

Most players incorporate a mixture of both flat and spin. There is no better technique.

[tennis angel]

There is no flat shot, rather flatter shot ie: more or less rotation.

[garmang]

Originally Posted by jms007

A mix is the best i think. Spinny for neutralizing and defending, Flat for attacking.

I agree. Variety is the best way to go. I wouldn't want to have my opponent to see and prepare for my shots. And you want options throughout the point. Especially against all-court players.

[bboy_beez]

you don't have it on the list, but I'd say ridiculous fast =)

that way you can swing your arm out and the force of the topspin will always keep your ball in

[Love40]

More spin than average... what?
For recreational 4.0 players, more spin than average is very effective. Mostly, because most 4.0 players don't hit much spin. You ever play against a 4.0 that hits big, hard topspin?
The damn ball leaps off the court, dramatically increasing forward speed after the bounce. Can be very tough to time and effectively manage until you get used to it. Since this isn't "average", it's hard to get used to. Topspin doesn't have to be "loopy" and slow. It can actually be hit very hard with a 2-3 foot net clearance that aggressively bounces off the back court. Flat balls bounce lower and carry more forward speed, but they are much easier to get back into play with predictable bounce trajectory and speed.

[featherlight]

roddick has a bad forehand approach (too much spin)

[jazzyfunkybluesy]

Right. He can't hit it through the court swinging as hard as he can.

[CHOcobo]

i need power a lot of it, but just a little more spin to get that high angle kill.

[coloskier]

Originally Posted by featherlight

roddick has a bad forehand approach (too much spin)

Plus, he always hit a suicidal crosscourt approach, leaving himself wide open for a pass.

[_maxi]

Originally Posted by tennis angel

There is no flat shot, rather flatter shot ie: more or less rotation.

Did I make an option for flat shot?