Getting the topspin and smash right

Strokes and Technique

Abdullah Khan
Abdullah Khan Asked 10 years ago

Hi. First of all I want to thank you for your awesome videos, It's only been one year since I've started but I've improved quite a lot thanks to you guys.

Recently, I've been trying to learn the forehand topspin shot but I'm having problems getting it right, I can't get much spin, I end up hitting it too flat and it just goes straight to the net. And even if it goes over to the other side my opponents return it pretty easily.  I can't seem to get this right no matter how much I try. It's kind of become a habit and if I pay too much attention I tense up and in most cases completely miss the ball.  I've even tried different rubbers but the results are same. Please help me out of this. Please!

Another thing I wanted to ask.. When should you smash? Say if my opponent hits a sloppy shot and it quite high, like, up to my shoulder height or more, should I smash it when it's at the peak or should I wait for it to come down a little?


Alois Rosario
Alois Rosario Answered 10 years ago

Hi Abdullah,

I think the critical part of the forehand topspin is the finish position.  If you get this right consistently, your topspin will work for you.  Make sure you finish with the bat at your eyebrow.  If you are hitting the ball too flat, try to make the stroke a little more vertical.

To decide when to smash I use the shoulder height as a good guide.  If it is above shoulder height then you can think about smashing.  Anything lower and you should make a topspin.  Then smash the ball at shoulder height.  If it goes higher then wait till it comes down to a good height for you otherwise you will end up dragging the ball into the net.


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