Forehand Topspin Development

Table Tennis Strokes and Technique

Last updated 11 years ago

Mohammad El Hariri

Mohammad El Hariri Asked 11 years ago

Hi Alois and Jeff,

What is the best way to start developing my Forehand Topspin? Should I start off by doing one Counterhit and one Topspin, or do only Topspins vs Block or get someone to feed me Multiball?

Thank you.


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago

Hi Mohammad,

Ideally it would be constant topspins with someone feeding you multiball so you have a little more time in between the strokes to make sure you are getting the action correct, especially have time to focus on the finish position being correct.

Once you are comfortable that your stroke is correct doing it this way, then do topspin against block.  Do it constantly rather than one topspin one counterhit.

This is an important stroke so take extra care to get it right to start with.


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Mohammad El Hariri

Mohammad El Hariri Posted 11 years ago

Hi Alois and Jeff,

I'm still confused with the finish position of the Forehand Topspin, not where should I end the stroke, but how the Forehand-side of my bat should face.

I see players finish their stroke with their Forehand-side of their bats facing their opponents. So, from side-on, you can see the edges of their bats (I believe this is the case with Timo Boll, Patrick Baum and Jeff Plumb in your video).

I've also noticed that other players finish with their Forehand-side of their bats facing to their left-side. So, from side-on, you can see their Backhand-side of their bats (I believe this is the case with Ma Long).

(I feel my observations are somewhat correct, although I might be wrong), but if I'm right, does this really make a difference, or is this a matter of personal preference?

Thanks again.


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago

Hi Mohammad,

Either way is OK.  The more important thing is the contact point and making sure the bat is facing where you want the ball to go when you contact the ball.

The one with the bat facing to the left make it a little easier to get back to a central ready position whereas when you finish with the bat facing forwards it is a bit safer for the forehand stroke because the bat is facing in the right direction for the hit for longer.

This is a good observation by you.


Mohammad El Hariri

Mohammad El Hariri Posted 11 years ago

Thanks Coach, I think I'm going to finish my stroke with the Forehand-side of my bat facing to the left... I like it that way.


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