Sidespin on topspin
Table Tennis Strokes and Technique
Last updated 3 weeks ago
Dariusz Rypień Asked 1 month 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 1 month 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.
Thoughts on this question
Become a free member to post a comment about this question.
Dariusz Rypień Posted 1 month ago
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 :).
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 1 month ago
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.
Dariusz Rypień Posted 1 month ago
Ok, thanks for the analysis and tips. I'll try to work on that :)
Jasper Low Posted 4 weeks ago
Won't the sidespin be better because it's harder to return?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 4 weeks ago
It can be better but it is also less reliable to get on the table.
Erriza Shalahuddin Posted 3 weeks 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!
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 3 weeks ago
Hi Erriza,
The hitting zone is often the issue as well as the wrist.