Improve topspin speed

[markgoldin]

I am a left handed player. One of my main weapon is my forhand topspin. I have recently changed my racquet to a heavier one. I am using Babolat AeroDrive+. With my previous racquet I was able to hit topspins that were mush faster. In another words, I was delivering ball to another side of the court for a shorter time. What are the main ponits to improve speed of a topspin?

Thanks

 

[Gemini]

Hmmm...it sounds like your racquet head speed has gone down because you switched to a heavier racquet. I would concentrate on trying to accelerate my racquet up and through the shot just like I did with the lighter racquet.

 

[markgoldin]

Yes, exactly, I can't swing as fast anymore. So, I am looking foe some technique tips to compensate for the speed. Should weight lifting help?

 

[Bagumbawalla]

You can try light weights, but it would be easier to use those ruber/elastic tubes like physical therapists have. strap one end of the loop around a door know and practice your groundstroke motion against the resistance.

Also, you can cover the head of your racket with plastic or cardboard (or something) and practice the swing with the added wind resistance. You can gradually add weight- tape it on with duct tape (or something) and practice, practice, practice the swing. Think of the swing as a single smooth but explosive motion.

 

[Bottle Rocket]

... why did you switch rackets?

 

[gb.tennis.junky]

I am a left handed player. One of my main weapon is my forhand topspin. I have recently changed my racquet to a heavier one. I am using Babolat AeroDrive+. With my previous racquet I was able to hit topspins that were mush faster. In another words, I was delivering ball to another side of the court for a shorter time. What are the main ponits to improve speed of a topspin?

A Nadal fan??? left handed, aeropro drive? is this why you switch racquets??? lol
What was your previous racquet?

Advertissments, commercials always influence our choice when we buy a tennis racquet. Instead of buying a racquet that we feel comfortable with, we buy the racquet that our favorite pro uses even though our game suffers from the sudden change of racquet.

Like said earlier, your racquet speed is suffering from the increase of the weight of racquet. thus slowing down your racquet speed, you produce less spin. not to mention that your timing and technique suffer from this disturbance too. and let's not forget your serve, who i'm sure the speed as decreased.

the advantage of a heavier racquet is that your shots will feel heavier. but what's the importance if it slows down your racquet head speed?

You should with a racquet as heavy as you can. If you notice a decrease in your swing speed, the racquet is too heavy for you, and you end up trying to muscle around the racquet instead of playinf freely.

My suggestion is to go back to your previous racquet, until you gain the strength to play with your new racquet.

But if you're stubburn, you'll have to hit the courts on a daily basis to get used to the weight and i suggest weight lifting too.

 

[dowjones]

Do the plus / minus between your old and new racket. If the new loses, go back to your old racket.

 

[markgoldin]

Over all my game has improved. My volleys are much better, backhand in better. I think I just need to practice more to regain head speed.

 

[LarougeNY]

wait, the racquet that is so heavy that slows down your swing is the APD+?
well...samething happened to me about two years ago, with the babolat PD+, I guess the 338 swingweight was too much for me at the time, but after working out the speed of my swing not only got back to what it used to, it surpassed that. Unless you are under 13 years old lifting weights would be the easiest solution, as well as playing more and more tennis with the racket. If you are under 13 though, some doctors say lifting weights stunt bone growth so you definitely shouldnt do that. If your below 13 the best way to increase strength would be using the band training or push/pull-ups.
good luck.

 

[moxio]

Lift some weights for your arm if you are adamant on not changing rackets back.

 

[Tennis_Gnat]

Going to a heavier racquet helped me to produce more spin. I had to because the racquet was heavier. So I had to swing through it quicker. It helped me a bunch once I got used to the racquet, which didn't take too long. You should be fine with practice.

 

[markgoldin]

I want to play with a heavier racquet. It does improve my game over all. My backhand is much more aggressive. BH is critical for lefty. That why I am sacrificing my forehand topspin for it hoping I will improve it in a time.

 

[Midlife crisis]

If you are under 13 though, some doctors say lifting weights stunt bone growth so you definitely shouldnt do that.

That was a long held belief that has been disproven by numerous peer reviewed articles. The current recommendation is that children can start a weight lifting program as soon as they are mentally capable of handling the exercise demands with responsibility and caution, and are supervised and instructed by someone who knows what they are doing. This is usually recognized by doctors as being as early as age six or seven.

 

[dave333]

wait, the racquet that is so heavy that slows down your swing is the APD+?
well...samething happened to me about two years ago, with the babolat PD+, I guess the 338 swingweight was too much for me at the time, but after working out the speed of my swing not only got back to what it used to, it surpassed that. Unless you are under 13 years old lifting weights would be the easiest solution, as well as playing more and more tennis with the racket. If you are under 13 though, some doctors say lifting weights stunt bone growth so you definitely shouldnt do that. If your below 13 the best way to increase strength would be using the band training or push/pull-ups.
good luck.

what if your 14? I leg press, bench press, bicep curl, squate (not very often at all).

anyway, to the racquet head speed thing, you could try a higher backswing (read about it in travlerjams post in this section of the board). hit the weights, or go back to your new racquet, or demo more racquets that are between your old one and your new one.

 

[LarougeNY]

what if your 14? I leg press, bench press, bicep curl, squate (not very often at all).

anyway, to the racquet head speed thing, you could try a higher backswing (read about it in travlerjams post in this section of the board). hit the weights, or go back to your new racquet, or demo more racquets that are between your old one and your new one.

I work out and I'm fifteen. When i said thirteen I meant before you go through puberty and develop muscles, and grow in height. You don't want to stunt your growth when you're 5'2 especially if you're a guy.