Brush contact time
Strokes
Ronald Ham Pong Asked 1 month ago
What is the brush contact time. For example:
1) When you serve a spinny ball, does the ball stay rolling along and being gripped by the rubber over a certain length ? I know the ball will sink into the rubber/sponge for a while and then be catapulted out (but that is different).
2) Related to the previous question: when you serve downspin, why is it recommended that you make first contact with the leading edge of racket ? Unless the ball is being gripped along the rubber from front to back ?
I have heard that the serve is two-part : the spin part and the then the speed (part). You apply the spin and then apply momentum. That concept sounds a bit strange. Is that a poor interpretation of the physics ?
Thanks
Alois Rosario Answered 1 month ago
Hi Ronald.
Contact time is extremely short (around 1 ms), so the ball doesn’t roll along the rubber. It compresses into the topsheet/sponge and leaves almost immediately.
When serving backspin, contacting with the leading edge helps create a thin brushing contact and maximize spin before the ball compresses too much.
The “two-part serve” idea isn’t literal physics. Spin and speed are created at the same time, but the brushing motion emphasizes spin first, while a more forward motion adds speed.
Question actions
Recommended Video
Forehand Counterhit
The forehand counterhit or forehand drive is the foundation for more attacking strokes such as the forehand topspin or forehand loop. There are 3 critical factors:
- Your feet position
- Your start position
- Your finish position
If you concentrate on these 3 factors then your stroke will become extremely consistent. Once you can reliably hit 100 balls in a row then you are ready for more attacking strokes. If you can hit 1,000 balls on in a row then you know you've truly mastered the stroke.
Watch NowNo comments yet!
Become a free member to post a comment about this question.