Flat or topspin? That is the question

Rickson · Mar 27, 2008

If I get a sitter that lands short, there's no question I'm going to flatten that sucka out. Now if I get a fairly high ball that lands very close to the baseline, I have too much distance to cover for a downward trajectory, but a completely flat line drive might sail long. I've gotten away with it more times than not, but I've also sent a few balls just inches past the opponent's baseline that would have dropped in with some topspin. Flat or topspin on high shots that land deep in your territory? That is the question.

Sentinel · Mar 27, 2008

Nice question. I always flatten it out (on the baseline) and the ball usually lands a couple inches past the opp's baseline.

I am not sure one can apply topspin to a fairly high ball, but anyway would like to hear from others.

Rickson, have you tried topspinning it ever ?

Rickson · Mar 27, 2008

Sentinel said:
Nice question. I always flatten it out (on the baseline) and the ball usually lands a couple inches past the opp's baseline.

I am not sure one can apply topspin to a fairly high ball, but anyway would like to hear from others.

Rickson, have you tried topspinning it ever ?

Absolutely! Do you think I hit flat shots exclusively? I'm a flat bomber with medium to high balls and I topspin low to medium balls. I like to slice very low balls. It's absolutely possible to topspin high balls and I wasn't referring to balls that bounce above your head.

J011yroger · Mar 27, 2008

Sentinel said:
I am not sure one can apply topspin to a fairly high ball, but anyway would like to hear from others.

Of course you can. It is actually easier to on eye level or so balls because in order to flatten them out you need to hit them very early/far in front of you, whereas you can hit them a touch later if you just want to whip them back with topspin.

So if you are not in position then it is much easier to spin them back, while if you are set up, then you can blast them.

J

Sentinel · Mar 27, 2008

Rickson, I didn't mean "have you ever tried topspinning any ball" - I meant only for those high ones, since you were asking !

I do have a problem topspinning balls that are iirc slightly over eye/head level.

Rickson · Mar 27, 2008

Sentinel said:
Rickson, I didn't mean "have you ever tried topspinning any ball" - I meant only for those high ones, since you were asking !

I do have a problem topspinning balls that are iirc slightly over eye/head level.

Yeah, definitely, but I've had mixed results. When my topspin of a high ball lands deep, the results are usually good, but when they land a bit short, I sometimes have to play defense on the next ball. My flat bombs that land in get good results more times than not because they have more pace than the topspin forehands.

Sentinel · Mar 27, 2008

OMG, Rickson, you have to stop messing with Shakespeare !

The question originally was:
2b or not 2b. And the answer of course is the 1h b.

Rickson · Mar 27, 2008

Sentinel said:
OMG, Rickson, you have to stop messing with Shakespeare !

The question originally was:
2b or not 2b. And the answer of course is the 1h b.

HAHA, Shakespeare!

my_forehand · Mar 27, 2008

Sentinel - Shakespeare's re-incarnation

Flat for behind the baseline

.

chess9 · Mar 27, 2008

Sentinel said:
OMG, Rickson, you have to stop messing with Shakespeare !

The question originally was:
2b or not 2b. And the answer of course is the 1h b.

LOL!

Tis nobler to use one hand. Erm...for the backhand.

-Robert

smoothtennis · Mar 27, 2008

I'm with Jolly on this one. I whip 'em back with heavy spin. How do I describe this? You know what a dip drive is? Like a dip drive, but not hitting down. ie, I get the racket high to start, and just whip it into the ball without all the pace. Usually keeps me out of trouble. But yeah, sometimes, they land shorter with all the spin, and well...defense time.

I have tried flat shots from there, and I just have problems doing it.

Passion4Tennis · Mar 27, 2008

For me, it depends on the situation. If I'm in a tight match against a good player, I'll try to spin those deep shots back just as deep. But if I'm playing against a weaker opponent, then I'll be more aggressive and flatten them out more.

Doc Hollidae · Mar 27, 2008

Trying to flatten it out completely leads to more unforced errors than I'm willing to make and going for topspin leaves the possibly of not getting enough depth.

What I was taught was to hit up and through the ball. You start with topspin preparation, but on contact you're going through the ball more than brushing up on it.

BeHappy · Mar 27, 2008

hit it with enough spin so that you get it in 100% of the time.

Rafael_Nadal_6257 · Mar 27, 2008

Dip drives are fine for getting them in consistently. Try to drive through the ball and hit topspin at the same time.

i8myshirt · Mar 27, 2008

Slice it and play it like the point restarted?
Usually I just hit it with topspin deep enough or I buggy whip it.

Djokovicfan4life · Mar 27, 2008

BeHappy said:
hit it with enough spin so that you get it in 100% of the time.

Nothing goes in 100% of the time, we're all human, after all.

AceofBase · Mar 27, 2008

Take it back and whip it making sure it bounce back high and deep to the other side or slice then defend. Only time i flatten the ball is only when the ball is set up for me, but if i have to chase it then i will do what i do before in the first sentence.

split-step · Mar 27, 2008

Hit a topspin drive. Drive through the ball but give it some topspin for safety.

Here's Justine with a ball like that. She is on the baseline hitting this shot, so she really isn't inside the court and this is a ball over head level for her. She was set up perfectly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuRVg8rg2x8

Caladbolg · Mar 27, 2008

just work mostly on your footwork,practice this alot,your footwork,moving around the court,and also pay attention to recognize what kind of shot is coming,that way with good footwork and paying attention youll be able to hit every shot in your comfort zone, not getting unwanted high balls

Caladbolg · Mar 27, 2008

split-step said:
Hit a topspin drive. Drive through the ball but give it some topspin for safety.

Here's Justine with a ball like that. She is on the baseline hitting this shot, so she really isn't inside the court and this is a ball over head level for her. She was set up perfectly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuRVg8rg2x8

if you see closely,she changed her grip to a western it seemed, to hit that high ball, or maybe to a semi-western

Josherer · Mar 28, 2008

Depends on the opponent. (ie. 1 HBH or 2HBH)

Sentinel · Mar 28, 2008

^^^ Depends on the person too

In this case, our Rickson!
I have this vid downloaded of Federer doing a serve and forehand which is JUST suited for Rickson. I just need to locate it on youtube now....
Mean and nasty Fed !!!
Voila, here is the link.

splitstep, Nice Henin vid, thanks, I think she moves to a SW, perhaps just resetting it, or earlier it was a bh grip.

Djokovicfan4life · Mar 28, 2008

Caladbolg said:
if you see closely,she changed her grip to a western it seemed, to hit that high ball, or maybe to a semi-western

Makes sense, since Henin uses a semi western. :wink:

Rickson · Mar 28, 2008

Sentinel said:
^^^ Depends on the person too In this case, our Rickson!
I have this vid downloaded of Federer doing a serve and forehand which is JUST suited for Rickson. I just need to locate it on youtube now....
Mean and nasty Fed !!!
Voila, here is the link.

splitstep, Nice Henin vid, thanks, I think she moves to a SW, perhaps just resetting it, or earlier it was a bh grip.

In both cases, they flattened out their forehands and I already stated in my op that it's what I do almost every time I get a ball like that. It's good to know that I was correct all along.

Flat or topspin? That is the question

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