L
Liv3 For It
Guest
Is hitting extreme topspin good? IS Topspin the mosT important thing in groundstrokes?
fuzz nation
G.O.A.T.
Topspin is an important component of a consistent ground stroke - it gives the hitter a larger margin for error on their shots and consistency ranks higher up on the list of priorities for a typical player than power.
If you can hit with extreme topspin consistently, that can be a good thing for outlasting lots of opponents, but if someone has your number and can hit those spinners with some authority, you could have trouble. The more spin you whup up on the ball, the less velocity your shot has - it's a trade-off. Nadal had to employ a more penetrating, flatter forehand to help him push opponents around on the hard courts, right?
In my coaching experience, I've seen a few better guys (high school singles players) that hit with lots of topspin and they could outlast plenty of other players. Their problem against tougher opponents with good movement has been not having the pop in their strokes to push those better guys around. They could play steady, but not hit with much offense, so they might have to gamble on keeping lots of balls in play and doing some extra running. I guess all I'm saying is that it's good to embrace topspin, but be careful not to go overboard and give away all your ability to hit through the court.
If you can hit with extreme topspin consistently, that can be a good thing for outlasting lots of opponents, but if someone has your number and can hit those spinners with some authority, you could have trouble. The more spin you whup up on the ball, the less velocity your shot has - it's a trade-off. Nadal had to employ a more penetrating, flatter forehand to help him push opponents around on the hard courts, right?
In my coaching experience, I've seen a few better guys (high school singles players) that hit with lots of topspin and they could outlast plenty of other players. Their problem against tougher opponents with good movement has been not having the pop in their strokes to push those better guys around. They could play steady, but not hit with much offense, so they might have to gamble on keeping lots of balls in play and doing some extra running. I guess all I'm saying is that it's good to embrace topspin, but be careful not to go overboard and give away all your ability to hit through the court.
Topspin is OK, if you can consistently run, stroke thru the ball, hit as high over the net as you need for depth, and as low over the net as you need for passing shots.
Depth is more important. Depth with pace is better. Depth with pace and a variety of topspin, slice, and sidespin even better than anything above.
Pure ball speed is nice, but depth AND topspin trumps that.
If you like to run like a gazelle, and like a gazelle, react defensively lotsa times, then lots of topspin should be a successful game.
If you'd rather make the other guy run, and not run yourself, then flatter shots, still some topspin, and a mix of variety should be your successful game.
If you need to be a clone of the USPTA style of high school and college level tennis, then you'd better employ a SW to W grip and run everything down.
Depth is more important. Depth with pace is better. Depth with pace and a variety of topspin, slice, and sidespin even better than anything above.
Pure ball speed is nice, but depth AND topspin trumps that.
If you like to run like a gazelle, and like a gazelle, react defensively lotsa times, then lots of topspin should be a successful game.
If you'd rather make the other guy run, and not run yourself, then flatter shots, still some topspin, and a mix of variety should be your successful game.
If you need to be a clone of the USPTA style of high school and college level tennis, then you'd better employ a SW to W grip and run everything down.
Heavy topspin that lands short and sits up in a player's strike zone will be bad news. That having been said, if you want some of the pro matches, they can often hit a heavy enough ball that even though the balls land near the service line, they have so much weight that it doesn't put them in a defensive position.
Still, I like having depth and as a western grip player, I will aim my strokes higher over the net to help get the depth.
Still, I like having depth and as a western grip player, I will aim my strokes higher over the net to help get the depth.
L
Liv3 For It
Guest
yeah, i just noticed that a lot of the top high school tennis players hit with a lot of topspin, but not extreme like nadal's
Bud
Bionic Poster
Topspin is good but depth+topspin is better :twisted:
So where is the bar that differentiates extreme from a lot? Or is Nadal the definition of extreme?
We should also consider the discussion of Roddicks newer forehand compared to his 5 year old forehands.... the new one much more topped, much less threatening, much less winners, but much more consistent.
I guess if kinda depends on YOUR idea of ratio of winner to out balls, forcing shots to balloon balls, and looking good compared to pushing......
But best is a combination of depth, pace, topspin, slice, sidespin, under your control to use when you want to use it.
I guess if kinda depends on YOUR idea of ratio of winner to out balls, forcing shots to balloon balls, and looking good compared to pushing......
But best is a combination of depth, pace, topspin, slice, sidespin, under your control to use when you want to use it.
ncode tour90
New User
exterme topspin is very useful if you can hit it deep
Bagumbawalla
G.O.A.T.
Laearing to control the ball is what tennis is all about.
Spin is how you control the ball.
Topspin is an example of one aspect of spin, and "extreme topspin" one example of how topspin might be used.
Overall, I would suggest that you learn all the shots and all the different kind of spins (including almost flat) and use each kind of shot where and when it will do the most good.
To become dependent, or limited, to one kind of shot is not a good strategy. The more optons you have the better player you might become.
Spin is how you control the ball.
Topspin is an example of one aspect of spin, and "extreme topspin" one example of how topspin might be used.
Overall, I would suggest that you learn all the shots and all the different kind of spins (including almost flat) and use each kind of shot where and when it will do the most good.
To become dependent, or limited, to one kind of shot is not a good strategy. The more optons you have the better player you might become.
I agree with the depth first comments, but at some point you will have to learn to hit with topspin to compete well. Without enough spin you will reach a plateau with regard to ball speed. If you can hit deep with extreme spin, you will be rewarded greatly. If you can do it off both sides, you will give people fits.
Whoa, hold on a minute here !
ARE you also touting max topspin as the pancea for all ills and evils?
We know depth is most important. Depth with sidespin works. Depth with underspin works. Depth with topspin works. Why focus on topspin?
And Pace, hit any way, combined with depth trumps all other combos, if some direction is added..
So what if USPTA touts topspin groundies. They are making clones who fail to crack the top 30 in the world, unless those players have 140 mph serves.
ARE you also touting max topspin as the pancea for all ills and evils?
We know depth is most important. Depth with sidespin works. Depth with underspin works. Depth with topspin works. Why focus on topspin?
And Pace, hit any way, combined with depth trumps all other combos, if some direction is added..
So what if USPTA touts topspin groundies. They are making clones who fail to crack the top 30 in the world, unless those players have 140 mph serves.
SourStraws
Rookie
Well.... I recall playing doubles with a woman who could only hit a slice forehand.... But everytime she hit it.... It was bothconsistent and deep... And it still gave the other team a hard time because it was so low... So the point is.... Even if you dont have much pace or topspin.... A deep and consistent ball can still cause trouble to most players
S.S.
S.S.
No. I was not.
Once you get to a certain level, you need to be able to hit with pace and spin. I'm not saying you have to hit topspin all the time, and I'm not telling anyone to put away slice either. A good slice at the right time is a serious weapon. I'm just saying that you will not be able to play well at the upper levels without some good topspin shots. Even people who hit relatively flat put a lot of spin on the ball when hitting hard. If you don't the ball will not go in.
Doubles is a totally different game IMO. In doubles, it's frequently more important to keep the ball low over the net. Whether you do that with slice or topspin isn't as important as just keeping it low.
Kevo... fair enough.
I agree some amount of topspin is needed both sides, especially the forehand side.
Personally, I like to employ deep penetrating slices and once in a while, some deep sidespin shots.
But the basic topspin is easily over 70% on my forehand and over 40% off my backhand.
I agree some amount of topspin is needed both sides, especially the forehand side.
Personally, I like to employ deep penetrating slices and once in a while, some deep sidespin shots.
But the basic topspin is easily over 70% on my forehand and over 40% off my backhand.
L
Liv3 For It
Guest
yeah, but which shot is best? topspin? Flat? or Slice?
user92626
G.O.A.T.
If you can keep the ball in, all shots are good. The keys in all good shots are pace and placement.
SourStraws
Rookie
You're right....But I think her shot would have still been effective in singles as well imo....
S.S.
