Forhand topspin

Gabriel Kozakevych Asked 1 month ago

Hi i have a question about my forhand topspin about the technique so i am generally using a similiar forhand topspin technique as Timo Boll Just that my bat starts at ball height and i am going Forward with a Closed Racket Angele. The Problem on my forhand topspin is that i feel Is that my shot has much Speed but it feels very flat Like with No to little Spin because i think i have to less upward movement. My Problem is i dont understand how to create the upward movement to the exact right amount because i feel like If i try to add the right upward Motion combined with the right Forward Motion i either Go to much Forward i feel or to much upward so either 1 of these Situations Happens i Go to much Forward and my topspin has good Speed but Not really good Spin or i Go to much Up my topspin has spin but its very slow and i dont understand how to fix this by myself because i really want to understand how i can do the right Arc on my forhand topspin but its Just Not understandable for me. The think Is also that i my forhand topspin stops around my left shoulders because my Trainer thought me this that i should use a similar forhand topspin Like Timo Boll for my height he said its easier he was by himself also a Professional table Tennis Player from france. But he was Not able to correct my arc. Do you have maybe any Tips maybe i should start lower than the ball with the bat with closed Angel but this feels somehow on Natural i would generally like starting my bat on the height of the ball and having a short Stroke some top Players also doing this. Do you have maybe a Suggestion how i can learn having perfect Arc and also have a consistent technique because i struggle many years to understand this by myself. Do you have a Suggestion how i can build consistent and also a technique with perfect Arc in the forhand topspin against No Spin Balls ? 

Alois Rosario Answered 1 month ago

Hi Gabriel,

It is key to have a slightly more vertical swing to generate a bigger arc.  I like to get players to imagine a rainbow trajectory of the ball.

To get speed and spin together, focus on brushing the ball forward and up at the same time, with the racket moving on a slightly diagonal path. Think “forward first, up second”, not two separate motions.

A few simple fixes:
• Start the racket a little lower than the ball.
• Close the racket slightly and brush the back of the ball, don’t hit through it.
• Contact the ball at the top of the bounce, in front of your body.
• Let the arm accelerate smoothly. Don’t force the upward lift.

Finish with your racket above your eyes. This will give you a much better arc. The arc is created at contact.

Against no-spin balls, exaggerate the brushing feeling in practice. If the ball dips sharply after the net, you’re on the right track.