How high should topspin clear the net?

[ktncnttl]

A low topspin ball is a double-edged sword. It is a good putaway shot but if it lands short it becomes a perfect setup ball for the opponent. I think you should hit your topspin relatively high above the net so that it will land deep and bounce high keeping your opponent at bay. However if you hit it too high you would be labeled a pusher, a moonballer or something worse, so where should you draw the line? 4ft, 6ft or 8ft?

 

[Mahboob Khan]

It depends on the ball and your physical position on the court.

-- If the ball is deep and your physical location is several feet behind the baseline, then you need more topspin to clear the net and enabling the ball to go deep .. may be about 5' to 6' clearance over the net.

-- If your physical location is inside the baseline and you are handling a shorter/easier/putaway ball, then you need to keep the ball low .. may be 2' over the net!

There is no standard advice on this. It all depends on the type of ball which you have sent, and which you are receiving, and your physical location on the court! One thing is sure that you have to modify your swing, the trajectory, clearance, depth, etc., depending on the hitting situation.

 

[nViATi]

A low topspin ball is a double-edged sword. It is a good putaway shot but if it lands short it becomes a perfect setup ball for the opponent. I think you should hit your topspin relatively high above the net so that it will land deep and bounce high keeping your opponent at bay. However if you hit it too high you would be labeled a pusher, a moonballer or something worse, so where should you draw the line? 4ft, 6ft or 8ft?

or you could just hit harder so it lands deeper

 

[SteveI]

Hi,

Also depends what you are trying to do. You could wear out someone by making them return high balls... over and over .. and over. A smaller less physically developed player might have problems with heavy high topspin balls. Guess like others have said, whats the application???

SteveI

 

[ktncnttl]

or you could just hit harder so it lands deeper

I think hitting higher is easier and less likely to go wrong.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

A low topspin ball is a double-edged sword. It is a good putaway shot but if it lands short it becomes a perfect setup ball for the opponent. I think you should hit your topspin relatively high above the net so that it will land deep and bounce high keeping your opponent at bay. However if you hit it too high you would be labeled a pusher, a moonballer or something worse, so where should you draw the line? 4ft, 6ft or 8ft?

Mahboob is correct in that it "depends" on what you are doing. In general, it is 4 ft.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

drives: 2-3 feet
rallies: more than that ... depending on your style and purpose

 

[Return_Ace]

or you could just hit harder so it lands deeper

rofl!!!!

i agree with most of what mahoob said, it really depends on the kind of shot your playing, e.g

if your trying an approach shot, hitting it deep by hitting it high only lets the opponent have a shot that sits up for him and will make it easier for them to pass you.

if your trying for a winner, then a high loopy shot will onnly result in the ball taking longer to get where you want it to go therefore giving your opponent more time to get to the ball...