Never need to flatten shots?

[Claudius]

I normally use decent topspin shots for rally strokes, but when I find myself approaching the net or finishing off the point, I whip the ball with extra topspin instead of flattening it out. This usually works well for me; the extra bite on the ball elicits an easy shot for a volley or even turns into an outright winner.

Would employing this sort of mega-topspin shot as my approach and finishing shot hinder my improvement in the long run?

In what cases should I flatten out shots?

 

[supineAnimation]

I normally use decent topspin shots for rally strokes, but when I find myself approaching the net or finishing off the point, I whip the ball with extra topspin instead of flattening it out. This usually works well for me; the extra bite on the ball elicits an easy shot for a volley or even turns into an outright winner.

Would employing this sort of mega-topspin shot as my approach and finishing shot hinder my improvement in the long run?

In what cases should I flatten out shots?

Depends on the situation. If the ball is below the net when you hit your approach shot, you need topspin to get it over the net and down in the court. But if you can get to the ball when it's above the net, flattening the ball will get it to the ground sooner, make it stay lower and make it move forward faster after the bounce.

 

[LeeD]

Flatten your shots when you need to hit the ball faster to provide less time for the opponent. Case....he's atop the net, you need to pass him, but a heavy topspin ball moves slow thru the air. Case, you're running full speed to get to a ball, so a full swing is out of the question. You hit it flatter, with a short stroke, and the fast moving ball gives you a forcing shot or clean winner.

 

[ProgressoR]

i nearly always hit lots of TS on fh, the main times when i dont is when i want to hit hard and flat, normally its a bit of a surprise tactic, and also to force the opp wide or back sometimes, when i get a ball at a good height ie above the net. Just to mix it up. Its normally an attacking shot, with the TS it can be a rally shot, a placement shot, or also an attacking shot. Its good to have the hard flat Fh as variety as well as TS.

 

[Slazenger07]

I normally use decent topspin shots for rally strokes, but when I find myself approaching the net or finishing off the point, I whip the ball with extra topspin instead of flattening it out. This usually works well for me; the extra bite on the ball elicits an easy shot for a volley or even turns into an outright winner.

Would employing this sort of mega-topspin shot as my approach and finishing shot hinder my improvement in the long run?

In what cases should I flatten out shots?

Bro Ive used this to attack short balls for many years. It has definetly served me well at the 4.0-4.5 level im currently playing at. Id still recommend you work on flattening out the ball with the forehand, as this shot can be very useful and keep your opponent off balance. I always c o c k my racquet head up and hit through the line of the ball to flatten it out, this did not come as naturally for me as brushing the ball, probably doesnt come as easy for you either but you'll need this flat shot eventually.

 

[raiden031]

At times I hit with too much topspin, but for a while I've been learning to flatten it out. I can't hit winners against 4.0-4.5 level players unless I flatten it out because they can usually run down the loopy topspin shots to the corner. So I think it depends how good the players move as to how much time you need to take away from them to get the ball past.

 

[goran_ace]

I normally use decent topspin shots for rally strokes, but when I find myself approaching the net or finishing off the point, I whip the ball with extra topspin instead of flattening it out. This usually works well for me; the extra bite on the ball elicits an easy shot for a volley or even turns into an outright winner.

Would employing this sort of mega-topspin shot as my approach and finishing shot hinder my improvement in the long run?

In what cases should I flatten out shots?

That can actually improve your tennis if you can add a couple shots to you arsenal. Instead of just hitting deep to the corners on short balls, use that spin to allow you to hit sharper angles and pull your opponent off the court

 

[goran_ace]

At times I hit with too much topspin, but for a while I've been learning to flatten it out. I can't hit winners against 4.0-4.5 level players unless I flatten it out because they can usually run down the loopy topspin shots to the corner. So I think it depends how good the players move as to how much time you need to take away from them to get the ball past.

raiden031 - that's a great example for what I'm talking about. against 4.0+ players you can't always do it in one shot. angles and spin make the court 'wider' and against certain opponents can be more effective than pace.

 

[tennisguy2009]

That can actually improve your tennis if you can add a couple shots to you arsenal. Instead of just hitting deep to the corners on short balls, use that spin to allow you to hit sharper angles and pull your opponent off the court

best reply here

spin and placement > pace

hold true even for the pros, nevermind club level.

if your opponent cannot get a racket to the ball, its much better than a hard flat ball that opponent will try lob back or go for a last ditch 100% power defensive shot.