Sidespin on topspin
Strokes
Dariusz Rypień Asked 2 years ago
Hello guys,
I've been using a Chinese rubber (Friendship Battle II) on my forehand for around 2 months. I also use more of the Chinese forehand style loop with the straighter arm and pushing more forward with it, which matches this rubber very well. But some of my club mates told me that the arc of the ball of my topspin stroke has a lot of sidespin as well. And I'm wondering if it is connected with the rubber, which produces such a trajectory of the ball or maybe more with the technique which I'm using?
Alois Rosario Answered 2 years ago
Hi Dariusz,
That sounds like a technique issue resulting in the sidespin.
If you drop the end of your racket down slightly it will make the ball curve right to left for a right hander doing a forehand topspin.
Think more about the angle of your racket to the ball on contact. Try to brush straight over the top of the ball. At the moment you are probably hitting the ball slightly on the right hand side causing the curve.
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Yeah, thanks for the answer. You can take a look at this video of me performing forehand topspin technique: https://youtube.com/shorts/UqoP672gVAg?feature=share
I also use some wrist movement at the end so maybe this body rotation etc. can lead to such spin sometimes :).
Hi Darius,
That is what is happening. The end of your racket is lower than your wrist. You are hitting the ball close to your body which is also making this happen. Try to give yourself more room.
Jasper Low Posted 2 years ago
Won't the sidespin be better because it's harder to return?
Erriza Shalahuddin Posted 2 years ago
From my perspective, certainly the ability to impart sidespin on topspin is a great tool, but only if you intend to. If you cannot control your sidespin and topspin, it can potentially reduce your consistency.
Actually, currently I'm having a similar problem. After recording myself and analyze it, I come to conclusion that perhaps I hit the ball too close to my body. Here is my video practicing forehand topspin if you care to watch...
https://youtu.be/z6901UrCAaQ
(Actually the sidespin isn't the only issue I encounter, but I'll just focus to only that for now)
I think what Alois said here just confirmed my suspiscion. I will try to adjust my hitting zone to fix this, thanks!