Help Please, which is the best way to teach kids brushing at the ball for topspin?

[millenium]

I have seen some coaches who have self consrtucted a special kind of device of a spinning tennis ball. They then have the pupil brush at the tennis ball with their racket from low to high to get the feeling on how to put topspin. Is this a good way to teach kids topspin?

 

[predrag]

I have seen some coaches who have self consrtucted a special kind of device of a spinning tennis ball. They then have the pupil brush at the tennis ball with their racket from low to high to get the feeling on how to put topspin. Is this a good way to teach kids topspin?

That is a pretty good way.
Also, what I do sometimes, when there is bicycle availabel, I turn it upside down, and tell student to "spin the wheel"
It does help to create an image of what is being explained.

Regards, Predrag

 

[VGP]

I've heard one approach described as taking the student to the net, placing a ball at the top of the net, having the student brush the back of the ball over the net without the racket touching the net.

 

[Bagumbawalla]

I am not a fan of the term "brushing the ball". Yes, it is easy to say and gives a suggestion of what is happening, but in my opinion casues more bad strokes than good.

Beginners,who hear the term, concentrate on the upward "brushing" motion and neglect the forward and upward "drive" through the ball, so what we often get is people who think they are putting killer topspin on the ball, but who are really just hitting loopy, puffy moonballs.

I would suggest teaching them to drive through the ball with a smooth, forward-directed, low to high motion.

There are teaching centers where I have seen the racket path painted on the wall at a convenient height so beginners can trace/practice/duplicate the motion.

 

[BeHappy]

''Hit straight through the ball, swing from low to high''

like a charm.

 

[Bud]

I am not a fan of the term "brushing the ball". Yes, it is easy to say and gives a suggestion of what is happening, but in my opinion casues more bad strokes than good.

Beginners,who hear the term, concentrate on the upward "brushing" motion and neglect the forward and upward "drive" through the ball, so what we often get is people who think they are putting killer topspin on the ball, but who are really just hitting loopy, puffy moonballs.

I would suggest teaching them to drive through the ball with a smooth, forward-directed, low to high motion.

There are teaching centers where I have seen the racket path painted on the wall at a convenient height so beginners can trace/practice/duplicate the motion.

I agree with you. It took me some time and many serves to figure out how to hit this serve, based on the "brushing from 7 to 1" terminology. While learning it, I was concentrating on hitting more up than forward and the serve had very little pace on it.

 

[CantBeBeat2]

I've heard one approach described as taking the student to the net, placing a ball at the top of the net, having the student brush the back of the ball over the net without the racket touching the net.

this is a good way to learn top spin. also low to high.

 

[Nellie]

Similarly, if you rally extreme cross court near the net, it will help to develop good top spin thinking

 

[Bungalo Bill]

I have seen some coaches who have self consrtucted a special kind of device of a spinning tennis ball. They then have the pupil brush at the tennis ball with their racket from low to high to get the feeling on how to put topspin. Is this a good way to teach kids topspin?

Here is what has really helped with my young kids. I got some soft traffic cones. I place a ball on it and show them how to brush up. I get them in good grips and teach them the motion. All I want them to do in this exercise is learn how to move the arms and educate the brain on what a correct grip feels like.

They do not "smack" the balls in this exercise. I use it for motion training and grip memorization.

 

[rosewall4ever]

I remember ages ago of how i learnt it...
Basically the stroke was divided into 3 steps. 1 racquet back 2. lower racquet 3. swing up and follow thru to the opposite side with racquet resting or ontop of shoulder. Natrual topsin is generated from the follow thru. This was all done in a loop to promote rythmn

This has the benifit of he kid being aware and memorising the phases and practise swing aid..

And as some one said bringing them in closer to the net helps.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

I remember ages ago of how i learnt it...
Basically the stroke was divided into 3 steps. 1 racquet back 2. lower racquet 3. swing up and follow thru to the opposite side with racquet resting or ontop of shoulder. Natrual topsin is generated from the follow thru. This was all done in a loop to promote rythmn

This has the benifit of he kid being aware and memorising the phases and practise swing aid..

And as some one said bringing them in closer to the net helps.

Yes, that is also very good.

I use "pat the dog on the head" for the takeback and getting the right grip, then two more stages. It does really help.

I have written posts on the "pat the doggy on the head".