Overpowering a side spin serve or sidespin shot with topspin

Richard Sanderson Asked 10 years ago

Hi Pingskills,

When receiving a long side spin serve or shot should you and can you overpower it with topspin? Should you try to hook or fade the ball if it's on your forehand and what do you do if it's coming long on your backhand?

And thank you for answering my question on the ball toss. :)

Alois Rosario Answered 10 years ago

Hi Richard,

I think it is best to overpower it with topspin. Start by doing a straight topspin as this will give you the best dip on the ball and allow you to hit the ball faster.

If you brush it slowly the ball will spin off sideways. If you swing through fast enough with a good brushing contact you will get the ball spinning in the direction you give it rather than relying on the spin that the server gives you.

You can do this with both the forehand and backhand.

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Johan B Posted 10 years ago

Hmm, I kind of like going with the side spin when I receive. If a rightie gives me a tomahawk serve I'll fade it with the backhand or hook it with the forehand, and if he gives me a normal pendulum, I'll hook it with the backhand (but fading it with the forehand against backspin is a bit too difficult for me, so I'll mostly hit that with straight top spin)