Difficulty in learning forehand topspin shot
Table Tennis Strokes and Technique
Last updated 10 years ago
Abhinav Upadhyay Asked 10 years ago
Hi Alois & Jeff,
Most of my opponents serve a longish backspin serve. I am unable to execute the topspin shot properly. Almost, all of my returns go into the net. While the forehand counterhit is quite a natural shot to learn, the topspin seems quite difficult to come automatically. In addition to that, the extended body movement required to execute it also makes it like a super complicated shot to learn. Any tips on how should I begin to incorporate it? My main problem is that, I don't get a lot of time on the table to practice. I play at my office and the only way to practice is to play matches. I wouldn't mind if initially my returns are going high and opponents smash it back, at least I will start to return their serve :). Right now, I am surviving with backhand or forehand push.
Alois Rosario Answered 10 years ago
Hi Abhinav,
I would persevere with the stroke. Take a look at the lesson on the Forehand Topspin Off Backspin. This is the stroke that you need to implement.
What sort of racket are you using? You need to have a rubber with a bit of grip.
Thoughts on this question
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Abhinav Upadhyay Posted 10 years ago
Hi Alois,
I found the lesson on receiving options helpful, where You played top spin against Jeff's long spinny serves. I face difficulty against those kind of serves. I am continuing to try to play topspin. I do get the ball sometimes back on the table but that is not consistent enough. I feel like if I had a good training partner with whom I could practice the shot, I could improve much quickly :)
I just got a Pingskills Rook recently, I am using that now.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 10 years ago
Hi Abhinav,
Finding a good training partner is one of the keys to improvement. Find anyone that has reasonable serves and see if you can get them to practice their serves while you receive.
I hope the PingSkills Rook will feel comfortable for you.
Abhinav Upadhyay Posted 10 years ago
Hi Alois,
Just wanted to update you on my progress. I couldn't find any partner to practice the top spin shot but I tried something else. I saw this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA74UCFmru0) where J-O dropped the ball in front of him and then played the top spin shot. I did the same at my home but without a table. This allowed me to practice the transfer of weight on my left foot, the twisting of the waste etc, later on I focused on brushing the ball. When I hit the ball, I could see the dip in its trajectory and felt quite good about it. Another addition I tried was, backspinning the ball right in front of me using the bat and then try to top spin, which was also quite effective.
Now, I am able to play the shot on the table as well, although still not very accurate, sometimes when I misjudge the speed of the ball, I tend to hit play the shot very late or very early. But when I hit the shot well, the feeling is very special, it feels divine :)
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 10 years ago
Hi Abhinav,
That can be a good practice method as well. Well done on making the improvement.
Harsh anonymouse Posted 10 years ago
hi alois
we have a friendly tournament in our school and today was the first match where i lost a lot of points in my forehand.as you can know that i dont know any of the forehand strokes as for backhand i am as good as best!though in survived with my backhand and won that match. tommoro is another one!!!!!!!!!!
plz hlp ASAP
AND I ALSO DECIDED THAT IF WOULD NOT LEARN FOREHAND STROKES TILL CHRISTMAS. I WOULD GIVE UP ON TABLE TENNIS
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 10 years ago
Hi Harsh,
Learning to play the forehand correctly does take time. I suggest you keep watching our video on the forehand counterhit and really concentrate on getting the start and finish positions correctly. These are the keys to getting the stroke correct. You need to find a practice partner and see if you can work with them. Try and get 3 balls on in a row, then 5, then 10. Eventually aim to get 100 on in a row!
I think a good attitude is to always keep working on your game. At times it can feel like you are going backwards and sometimes you seem to learn a lot in a short period of time. I think the biggest mistake people make is giving up too soon!
Harsh anonymouse Posted 10 years ago
sir jeff but u may wanna know that i am just playing tt for 1 year and cant even learn a forehand stroke so sir plz give me a one good reason that i shouldnt give up.!!????
Harsh anonymouse Posted 10 years ago
and plz dont think that i dont respect you,but a piece of advice for me could hlp me improve my game
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 10 years ago
This game takes a lot longer than 1 year to learn. To become good at it the best playrs have played for at least 10 to 15 years.
Erriza Shalahuddin Posted 10 years ago
Hi, Harsh.
The question is, do you love table tennis? I'm sure you do, so if you love it, don't you ever think about quitting. Even if you don't really love it, you shouldn't quit either. Once you learn how to quit, it'll become a habit (so they say).
Now I'm nearly 24, and I've been playing table tennis for about 3 years. I also learned how to do forehand topspin in my first year. And I'm telling you, it was one of the hardest and most tiring practice I've ever had (besides learning backspin reverse pendulum serve). I spend much time in my room, throwing the ball on the wall, and trying to topspin the ball, mishitting countless of time, feeling tired and frustrated, but I never wanted to quit, It just made me curious. And believe me, all your effort will be paid off. Besides, ability to manipulate spin is on of many factors that distinguish you from being a mere beginner or an advanced player.
So, do you want to be a mere beginner, or an advanced player?
*sorry for the long post, I just want to share my mind. cheers!
Harsh anonymouse Posted 10 years ago
THESE IS THE SAME THING COMMON IN U AND ME BUT.U GOT TO LOOK AT THE AGE DEFRENCE I AM JUST 14 AND I HAVE TO ALSO CONCENTRATE ON MY ACADEMICS.AND IF I CONCENTRATE ON MY GAME THEN I COULDNT DO GOOD IN ACADEMICS.AND IT IS VICE VERSA IF I CONCENTRATE IN TABLE TENNIS....
Erriza Shalahuddin Posted 10 years ago
If that's the case, then I think the main problem is putting the right priority. My father always says to concentrate more on your study. I think you should listen to whatever your parents have to say. Personally, I would say to concentrate more on your study, but I suggest you not to totally quit. Patience is the key to achieve your goal.
Anyway, do you think that I don't have any academics issue in my games? Well, this is a hint for you: You're wrong. :)
Harsh anonymouse Posted 10 years ago
thank u so much.As my father says to me the same but there is a big'?'mark which always make me think of quiting tt.I AM ALTHOUGH GOOD IN ACADEMIcS BUT I WANT TO BE GOODN SPORT as well. this the problematic part it is what i mentioned above.