Is there any advantage for pro's to have a high ball toss?

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by Sentinel

Riiight, sometimes he just can't get a first serve.

And then when they close the roof (if there is one), he's gettin them all.

So you think he cannot adapt to the conditions?

[kishnabe]

It depends on the type of serve. Classic, Staggered and Abbreviated.

Especially Staggered(Tsonga) need more time to hit the ball. Since it takes more time to prepare the body with the racquet coming last.

Abreviated(Roddick) the fastest. Classic in between wait for the ball to come down.


I don't think there is an advantage or if there is it is minute.

[tank_job]

Originally Posted by akamc

Hitting a falling ball gives you a higher vertical velocity component of contact relative to a rising racquet, generating more topspin in your serve. It's all about finding your best personal compromise for what you are trying to accomplish.

very very sketch.

On the other hand, I have a feeling you would have to reverse the downwards momentum of the incoming ball when brushing upwards on it, making it harder to hit topspin.

[Vcore89]

Originally Posted by Tanya

Just because one person with a high ball toss can hit a nice topspin serve doesn't mean that's the rule.

Exactly. However, Steffi specifically (hence, the specificity) had a high ball toss and effective (not nice--effective, to put it mildly!) topspin serve.

[Vcore89]

Originally Posted by Tanya

Just because one person with a high ball toss can hit a nice topspin serve doesn't mean that's the rule.

Exactly (and I didn't mean it as a rule. On the contrary coaches seems to be making it as a rule. Sorry coaches...)! However, Steffi specifically (hence, the specificity) had a high ball toss and effective (not nice--effective, to put it mildly!) topspin serve.

[dangalak]

Originally Posted by Sentinel

Riiight, sometimes he just can't get a first serve.

And then when they close the roof (if there is one), he's gettin them all.

So basically, unless you serve above 60% every single match, you can't have a great balltoss.

Not to mention, the fact that he serves better indoors does absolutely nothing to bring his toss down.

Shall I link you to the match where Federer was serving like possessed against Soderling in gusting winds?

[LuckyR]

Originally Posted by tank_job

very very sketch.

On the other hand, I have a feeling you would have to reverse the downwards momentum of the incoming ball when brushing upwards on it, making it harder to hit topspin.

Actually not "sketch" at all. It is well known that a rapidly dropping toss imparts topspin to a "flat" serve and thus increases it's consistancy, pehaps by about 10%.

http://www.amazon.com/Physics-Techno.../dp/0972275908

H Brody is the acknowledged expert in this area.

[Power Player]

Anyone who plays table tennis knows the physics. Higher toss means more spin on the ball. It is another advantage besides the timing.