What bothers you more ? Flat or topspin

[ferrari_827]

I hit my strokes with flat to moderate topspin, and this style seems the most natural to me vs. the heavy, extreme topspin style.

I've experimented a bit with semi-western grip and heavy topspin, but it felt uncomfortable and I didn't have nearly the depth control as with flat/moderate topspin. Alot of balls landed too short, even though they kicked up after the bounce, and I had to hit *really hard* to get good depth. Also, I didn't particularly like the higher trajectory of the ball.

I was wondering, which style is more effective against more players, especially good players, the flat/moderate topspin or extreme topspin style ?

The answer is probably both styles are equally effective, the flatter shots have a lower trajectory and more linear speed, while the heavy topspin creates a heavier ball.

What is interesting that since alot of the newer good players have adopted the semi-western grip and heavy topspin style, those with the flatter strokes with eastern grips are in the minority, and the old-school style actually bothers the newer players since they aren't used to it (!!) For myself, I'm used to returning against the heavy topspin by now.

Any thoughts ?

 

[ferrari_827]

What got me thinking about this was one time a very good player (5.0) commented that I might consider changing to a style with more topspin and net clearance. He was probably horrified that so many of my shots were 1ft or less over the net. Anyway, in sports there's a maxim that you shouldn't forget your strengths so it's unlikely I would make a drastic change.

 

[Indiantwist]

Against Good players Placment and Pace is more important. That means a heavy topspin shot with no pace is almost useless as good players can read and reach them. A flat shot with moderate spin might be more effective as if placed well gives less time for them to react as flat shot has considerable pace while the spin keeps the ball in play.

 

[wfudeac]

Flat shots are the suck. I can hit with a player who uses heavy topspin and make it look like I'm in the pros, then I can hit with a player who hits flat shots and I look like a beginner. Flat shots are so much harder for me since they don't bounce very high and my SW grip makes getting under them difficult

 

[joe sch]

Hard flat shots are the exception in todays game. Consider yourself fortunate if you can hit these type of drives. Most of todays players will have trouble hitting these type of shots since with thier more extreme western grips, they prefer a higher bouncing target. You will be able to win alot more matches if you stick with this now counter style. Is not this your experience ? Why would you want to give your competition what they prefer ? BTW, most of todays coaches are from the Bolletari factories so they cant/dont want to teach that stlye and would prefer to convert you, ie lots of lesson$

 

[ferrari_827]

Joe sch., this style is effective even though it may be viewed as old-school or outdated by newer players and coaches. This heavy topspin style looks exhausting and more energy consuming than the old-school style to me.

 

[ktncnttl]

Flat gives you more winners but it also gives your more unforced errors. Unfortunately in tennis avoiding unforced errors is more important than hitting winners.

 

[scez]

I really like playing against someone who has a hard flat shot. But I cant stand it when they hit it low and with good control because I have a hard time reaching the ball in time while still having a good shot. This is probably why I tend to lose to girls more then boys But I also have some trouble playing people with crazy topspin, I usually play well but it feels really ackward.

 

[Indiantwist]

For me if i know that Opponent only has Topspin or Only flat then iam pretty much at home. I can easily make my adjustments and start controlling the match (we are talking abt a player around my level. Not Sampras. I would easily beat him any given day....)

 

[Jack Romeo]

even though i'm a flat hitter myself, i prefer playing against a fellow flat hitter. extreme topspin players have more options in terms of creating sharper angles and having different trajectories to their shots. therefore, they give you less rhythm. also, usually (but not always), an extreme topspin player also has the ability to flatten out his/her shots and go for winners. so they really have more options.

 

[TwistServe]

The flat has to be extremely fast to both me, otherwise I can redirect it back using the pace already on the ball.

So the serves that usually both me more are hard kickers to the backhand.

 

[joe sch]

Joe sch., this style is effective even though it may be viewed as old-school or outdated by newer players and coaches. This heavy topspin style looks exhausting and more energy consuming than the old-school style to me.

I agree 100%

 

[dozu]

it's more difficult to hit flat.... I'd say to be a complete player you must know how to generate topspin... if you can only hit flat, I will slice balls short and low, down the middle, and you have no angle to work with and not enough court for the ball to land inbound. if you have a topspin stroke, then you can approach the net with a topspin or slice, and hope to win the point at the net, assuming you have a decent net game.

 

[ferrari_827]

I'm not saying that the old-school style doesn't use topspin because it does, and the style emphasizes variety of spins in different situations. It seems to me the modern style tries to impose heavy topspin in almost all situations, with less variety in spin.

 

[takeuchi]

Flat shots give less time to get to, less time to prepare after the bounce, are moving faster after the bounce (although heavy topspin shots can be fast, the the horizontal component is usually slower) and bounce lower. In otherwords, they mess me up gooddddddd.

 

[kevhen]

Both shots bother me if consistent enough. Flat shots are hard to run down. Heavy topspin shots can be difficult to control and return with depth. I prefer to play topspinners since I am tall able to handle the high bounces and can run down most of these shots. Flat shots stay low and give me little chance to get to if placed well and hit hard enough. I tend to hit both my forehand and backhand hard and flat since it's easier for me to do that and just as effective as going for heavy spin. I do go for heavy slice spin on the serve but my flat serve is much better than my topspin serve, so I favor flats overall but it's good to be able to add topspin when you need to and just to mix things up for your opponent.

 

[anirut]

Hi Fer:

I too play flats. I developed the stroke 25 years ago. Yes, eastern grip. But it won't hurt if you also play good topspin. The more varieties you have, the more tools to beat your opponent. Use the right tool for the right situation is key.

Actually you can hit good topspin with eastern grip. I learnt this from the (then) WorldTennis Magazine. Point your racket head down, hit fast from under the ball with a high follow-through. (I forgot the exact words but that's what I do)

I, however, prefer to play like you. Hit flats with slight topspin. And I love to send these shots into the body of the guy when he's at the net. The ball will have the pace of a flat and dings down quickly from the topspin action.

 

[fastdunn]

I sometimes hit with this guy who hits soft, completely flat shots.
I can often see balls flying toward me without any spin.
I mean I can literally read the ball number.
I struggled with this guy initially but adjusted now because he hits
flat shots only.

Then I have another college kid who hits with extreme top spin.
It's always not easy with this kid because balls always kick over shoulder level.
And he often varies the spin and mixes with hard flat shot or extra side spin.

I used hit shots consistently with moderate top/under spin.
Now inspired by Federer, I like to toy with extreme top/under/side spin.
It's an enormous fun.

 

[nViATi]

flat shots are evil... heavy topspinners are way easier to play

 

[Kaptain Karl]

As one who mixes Flat, Top, Side and Slice all the time ... I'm loving this thread!

- KK

 

[Ken]

I think the ones with variety are the hardest to play. I dunno if I'd want to face Karl.

Topspin is generally easier, the people with Western grips usually are. While the high balls are difficult for some people, they're still easy to get used to. You can try taking it on the rise if you want to practice. Even with heavy topspin, if it's only that, it's pretty much like they're feeding balls to you.

Flat shots are usually better because of the pace and the fact most people don't play against people with unusually flat shots. Even if they have, it's no use if you can't run the ball down. While they're harder to keep in consistently, there are plenty of players that can do it right.

Personally, I hit all kinds of shots. I'd hate to play myself. I had a coach early on that helped me develop all kinds of shots, and I was (and still) practice almost everyday for two hours. So I had plenty of time to implement, a good coach to teach me the fundamentals, and we'd move up in each stroke from lesson to lesson.

The most fun thing in the world is actually using this variety. Like...hitting three deep, normal underspin slices to them, and suddenly adding sidespin to it. Even for players that watch the ball carefully and immediately identify the spin, the sudden change in timing throws many people off.

That's my idea of fun, at least.

 

[troytennisbum]

Jack Romeo said "

extreme topspin players have more options in terms of creating sharper angles and having different trajectories to their shots. therefore, they give you less rhythm. also, usually (but not always), an extreme topspin player also has the ability to flatten out his/her shots and go for winners. so they really have more options.

"


I agree with you 100%

 

[Ken]

Exactly...you should be able to hit BOTH. There really is no "or" question.

 

[fishuuuuu]

So what you're saying is that I should incorporate my flat shots.... and my topspin shots....


Mmmm flatspin drive winner ...

 

[Ken]

LOL. Isn't there a guy named Flatspin here?

 

[ferrari_827]

Flatspin uses the IPrestige Mid which is known for hitting flat shots (!!!)
It's no coincidence that I also really like the IPrestige Mid and RDX500mid.

 

[Geezer Guy]

Well, at the 3.5 - 4.0 level, a flatliner that's really on is tough to play. The ball comes in hard and fast and stays low. However, a flatliner has a lower margin for error, so they're more likely to make more errors if they're NOT really on. I'd say that generally a topspinner is much more consistent - whether they're ON or not.

If I had to choose whether to play one or the other, I'd choose the flatliner and hope he wasn't having a great day.

 

[fjgarciap]

Topspin. Deep high balls drive me crazy.

 

[ATXtennisaddict]

High top spin,especially to my backhand!!

 

[topbloke7000]

I think it depends a lot on the court surface. Flat and slice drives are devasting on grass and fast indoor courts. There's no time to chase them down and they seem heavier than topspin shots.

On a slow, high bouncing surface, the deep, heavy topspin drive is more effective. It keeps the opponent on the back foot all the time, even if the directional placement isn't brilliant.

 

[kevhen]

I would agree that surface makes alot of difference. I hate the flat hitter on the fast indoor surface I play on since you have no time to run the ball down and the ball stays so low. But outdoors on slow courts I hate the really heavy topspinners that drive the ball up with so much spin it's hard to reverse. I actually hate the slicers even more though on the outdoor courts that can hit short angled winners by hitting short balls that don't bounce far because of the slice and surface, sort of like deceptive drop shots where they don't bounce as far as expected. The slice on the fast surface isn't quite as effective since it bounces farther so that you can get to it since it's not usually a fast shot so you can run it down.

 

[tennisadict]

[red]i hate flat[/red]

 

[Jack the Hack]

Personally, I have a harder time with the flat shots than with topspinners.

If you naturally hit pretty flat, don't let that pro try to change your game. You might try a little more topspin with less power when you are on the run or in a defensive position to give yourself more margin for error, but the regular flat shot would probably serve you well otherwise.

By the way, they did some research on this over at advancedtennis.com which seems to indicate that the best players actually hit pretty flat on their kill shots.