Q Re: Dealing with Heavy Topspin FH

[Downtheline1]

I played a match on Har Tru recently against a player with a really good extreme western topspin forehand that would pick up speed after it bounces.

How do you play someone like this?

I would hit the ball out front and go for my shots, which was working when I was set up properly. Coming to the net and bringing him to set also worked. I would also hammer his second serve when I got the chance.

I hit a fairly heavy FH and usually am the one dictating points, but found myself on the defensive more often that I would have liked and lost the match. I have only played one other player who hits the ball this way.

I listened to a TW Podcast by Crawford Lindsey who I think said something to the effect that hypothetically if your forehand only has say 3000 RPM and the FH coming into you has say 3500 RPM, then you have a problem, and you better make sure that you hit out on your FH first.

We were about equal in all other parts of our games.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks!!!

 

[LeeD]

If you can allcourt. try chipping low short to his forehand and move forward.
If you baseline, hit his liop forehand to his backhand side.

 

[Dondon]

Low deep slice.
If not u just lost the match

 

[WestboroChe]

Why not just stay away from the forehand? Some other thoughts: moonballs deep and chip and charge.

 

[Wise one]

Slice hard to him. I mean hard!

 

[Downtheline1]

These are all good tips. Thank you. I guess I'll watch some Fed-Nadal videos.

 

[Bender]

Why not just stay away from the forehand? Some other thoughts: moonballs deep and chip and charge.

I guess it depends on the player and the level, but a western forehand tends to fare well against high balls.

Chip and charge would work provided the chip stays low enough, but could get killed if it lands short and sits up. Taking off pace could work at lower levels but only if the player hardly incorporates drop feeds in his practice sessions.

A nice low slice works against most extreme grips, but it doesn't hurt to try all sorts of slice. I actually do well against low slices but have a tendency to make stupid errors off floaty slices that land on the baseline.

 

[chic]

Depends on your strength and both of your level to some degree.

I always found more success taking spinny balls like this on the rise as soon as possible and taking time away. But I'm only playing at the 4.0 level and could definitely see a good 4.0 it higher punishing that if I don't get good depth.

Edit for clarity: past tense is because I no longer get to hit with the guy who played super spin heavy against me

 

[Chadalina]

but found myself on the defensive more often that I would have liked and lost the match.

Put more emphasis on your defense when he hits a fh (like looking for the fastball in baseball). Were you missing by trying to counter attack or was he hitting winners?

Maybe work on hitting deep down the middle while on defense, it can reset the point (if he doesnt come in, only reason @Wise one still beats me)

But you gotta face reality, he has a great fh and expects to win many pts off it. Gotta find a way to make it less effective, but wont nuetralize it.

 

[WestboroChe]

I guess it depends on the player and the level, but a western forehand tends to fare well against high balls.

Chip and charge would work provided the chip stays low enough, but could get killed if it lands short and sits up. Taking off pace could work at lower levels but only if the player hardly incorporates drop feeds in his practice sessions.

A nice low slice works against most extreme grips, but it doesn't hurt to try all sorts of slice. I actually do well against low slices but have a tendency to make stupid errors off floaty slices that land on the baseline.

You are right but a lot of players hate having to make their own pace so that was my thinking there.

 

[heninfan99]

In the process of learning to handle spin you yourself will learn to hit with more spin. Your exact swing path will change according to the shot you want to hit and your grip structure.

I'm learning to do it with eastern, it's been a fun challenge.

 

[ptuanminh]

Its not that easy to slice when the balls come at you heavy and hard. Learn how to hit on the rise.