Relaxed topspin swing

Hi pingskills,

I have a question about topspin swings. Should the topspin swing be relaxed and just let the arm flow through just like a golf swing? Or should I control it and use my own strength to swing?

I personally think that relaxing the arm while swinging will have a more powerful stroke. But I don't use it. Because it's harder to control and since the arm is relaxed, I have a hard time going back to the start position because my arm is so relaxed that it's hard to go back. 

But using my own strength to swing, it gives me more control because I'm not relaxing that much. Hence getting back to the start position faster. Not only on the forehand, even on the backhand have that problem. That's why during fast rallies, my strokes don't follow through all the way because I don't have time to go back.

What do you think alois. Because I see you do those topspin strokes really relaxed. How and why you do that. And I noticed that jeff is using his own strength to swing. How and my does jeff does it

And another thing. I noticed some of your videos are missing, such as long fast serve, penhold techniques, defender's footwork and all the video responses can't be found on your site and can only be found on YouTube. Where are they? And why don't you have a site for video responses?

Hi Eugene,

Keep the arm relaxed when you can.  Even though Jeff’s arm looks tight, he is still swinging through quite relaxed through the shot.

There needs to be a use of your muscles to stop the swing and one back to the next ball but this is still down in a relaxed manner.  If there is tension you are utilising unnecessary muscles and slowing down the stroke.

We have a lot of lessons on the site and area always looking to update them.  We have video response in the Ask the Coach section, Video answers.