Getting the 'feeling' of topspin

Jason Ha Asked 13 years ago

Hey Alois and Jeff!

First timer to the website here, so getting used to this ask the coach thing haha!

Alright, so my question is, how do I get that 'feeling' when doing top spins? I saw a couple of your videos on forehand topspins and backhand as well, and you're showing the stroke, but whenever I do that stroke, I can never get it to have that same effect and even worse, it either hits the net or it goes too far since I put I guess, too much 'impact' on it? Not sure of how to describe it though.

My friend told and taught me about this feeling of topspin and said that when you make one, there's gotta be that kind of grippy feeling or a feeling that you're not really hitting the ball and more of brushing the ball, which I know already is the essential part of topspin, but when it comes to action, it never works for me. 

Is there any advice you can give as to how to know and in the long term, instinctively know that you're doing topspin?

Regards
Jason 

Alois Rosario Answered 13 years ago

Hi Jason,

You seem to have the concept right. One thing that I have found useful is to have a wheel that you can spin forwards with your racket.  That is the same feeling that you need to get when making the topspin.  You can try using a DVD on a stick and get it spinning forward with your racket.  It is a good idea to use an old bat to do this as it may mark your rubber slightly when you are hitting the DVD.  Or if you can find a softer wheel of some sort to spin forward that would be ideal.  Even if you have that concept of spinning a wheel forward it may help you get the feeling when hitting the ball.

Welcome to our site and I hope we will be able to help you with your game.