TopSpin problems

[chrisab508]

So,
This morning I was at my club and was using the ball machines. I don't know if its because they just added a topspin knob to them, or something else, but i set the topspin to the highest setting. I just couldn't hit these balls like i normally hit the balls. Also, i found out that when i use my normal forehand motion (semi-western grip) i don't put very much topspin on it, i guess i don't have the motion right, because these balls had little or no topspin on them... I just thought i'd throw this out see if anyone could help..

Chris.

 

[BSousa]

I use a SW forehand and I put little topspin in most shots. I prefer to use a flatter shot, heck even with a full western I try and flat my shots out.

But when needed, putting TS on the ball isn't too hard. The first thing I would recommend would be to bend your knees a little more. I tend to push (straight) the legs when hitting to produce more spin. Also, another thing to look at would be the direction of the swing. Try to start the swing with the racquet head a bit below your knee (sweetspot) and move forward and up towards the hitting point. This should produce some spin as well.

Another thing it may be happening, which happens to me when my TS goes off, is that to produce more topspin, i move the racquet alot more vertically than forward, giving almost no power to the stroke. This usually results on a ball that lands short and doesn't seem to have much spin since it lacks forward movement.

Bruno

 

[Eric Matuszewski]

Don't be depressed if you can't keep up topspin with a ball machine.

the machine I have with a topspin setting of 1/4th of the possible spin puts more spin on the ball then I have ever seen a pro hit. Maybe an Aggasi second serve could match it but certainly not any forhand from a human.

It's also normal for you not to be able to get a good hit off a max topspin machine feed. The ball is loosing way less speed when it hits the court (a machine can actually speed the ball up when it hits the ground if the overall speed is low enough).

Max topspin ball machine feeds are definitelly, Heavy balls by my definition.

Well timed loading and fast unloading of the Hip with a slightly closed racket face generally produces good topspin forehands. The more spin that comes at you the sooner you will have to start the stroke.

And if your going to be hitting alot of Heavy balls,... working your way up to a racket with a higher swing weight seems to help counteract their effect once you get used to the added weight.

Lead tape is a cheap trick to try next time.