TOPSPIN Forehand vs DRIVE Forehand [Comparison]

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So, what’s the difference between the topspin and drive forehand? Knowing how to and when to utilize the topspin and flat forehand can go a long way to improving your tennis game.

FROM THE VIDEO: In tennis, the forehand is arguably the most diverse stroke in technique among both the pros and amateurs. Whether you’re trying to hit +5000 RPM Nadal topspin forehands or +80 MPH Federer forehands, it all comes down to the swing path and contact point…

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[RacquetFlex]

Miscalculation at 2:11
For Flat: √17^2 + 8^2 = 18.79 m·s-1
For Topspin: √14^2 + 12^2 = 18.44 m·s-1

The equation for calculating the total velocity:
√H^2 + V^2 = T m·s-1
H=Horizontal, V=Vertical, T=Total Velocity (Result of the 2 Vectors)

[MPulse]

I use a Simi-Western grip and I put a lot of topspin on the ball, but I would also try to hit the ball much harder (like I was hitting a flat forehand) than I should and it made me very inconsistent, but this video honestly made me realize that all the extra topspin makes up for the less power. Thanks man!

[ArtyomMe]

Thanks for showing the detailed video in slow motion of the top spin and flat forehands. I was finally able to visualize and understand them. This is why videos are much better than articles.

[billhopen]

there is a third angle, as your racket approaches contact point, you can pull racket in thus shortening radius of swing and increasing speed through the arc as contact approaches. This imparts a sideways motion in addition to the top spin motion. yes its still topspin, but it results in a slight "curve ball" effect. ( can also be just a side spin imparted to a relatively flat stroke) I'd like to see you show this stroke with slow mo....when a player curves the ball a foot or more to land just inside the side line its a beautiful thing...looks like its headed wide but hooks in with the curve stroke is not often discussed

[Chikenman]

example in slow motion is necessary in such a video

[billhopen]

I love to hit a "side-spin" shot, it can be partially a top-spiner or can be used with a little chop, but the side spin allows me to curve it into the oponents body or curve a ball bouncing near the line to increase its angle leaving the court and additionally rebound out with even more sideways bounce, this throws off the timing of your opponent running to meet the ball. I never see side spin, curve ball ever talked about on tennis videos...it is such a weapon when used with pace, no just on dink trick shots

[axellopez]

I use an eastern grip, and hit with more or less top spin according to the situation. I like hitting with a little bit of top spin but it depends on the situation.

[alenx]

Theres only one problem in your video, the flat trajectory shots that Federer hits are not really flat, they have a ton of topspin, more than most rec players have on their "high trajectory" "heavy spin" shots.

[CRAIGLSANDERS]

I enjoy your video content. You guys are very good technically in both your explanation and your ability to execute (demonstrate) the shots that you are teaching. Regarding your question, what forehand do I hit the majority of the time it is the topspin forehand. I use a modified semi-western grip with my 1st knuckle planted right in between bevel 3 and 4, so my 1st knuckle is on the edge. I am able to create heavy topspin and great margin over the net but I can also inject pace and hit the ball flatter with this grip. It is my understanding that Nadal actually hits with this grip and Wawrinka hits with a more traditional semi-western with this 1st knuckle securely on bevel 4. I find having my 1st knuckle on bevel 4 is too extreme for me.

[harleedavidson]

I learned in the golden era of '70s and hit heavy top on both sides but how my coach naught me was using my topspin for depth and always looking for the short ball from opponent by pinning them deep and then start to flat my shots out to put the away. I had killer classic two handed backhand.

[rbutthamilton]

Good analysis. But I think the 17-47deg range the you mentioned is the racquet swing path angle. People might confuse that as being the racquet face angle which you clarified at the end that it should be near vertical for every shot type. Thanks!

[natanielassisafricano]

Hi could you do slow motions videos associated with each explanation. That would be really great. Tha video is very usefull

[ReidVV]

It would be interesting to ask a physicist to use super slo-mo video to analyze the interaction of the racquet and the tennis ball using various grips and swings. What is the actual angle of the racquet face in relation to the swing path and the flight angle of the in-coming ball at the exact point of contact with the racquet? The direction of the swing path, racquet face angle, swing speed, and the in-coming ball path angle and speed are the largest determining factors. The racquet and ball only actually interact for milliseconds at the contact point. What most affects generated spin vs. drive on the shot? What resulting aerodynamics are at play on the ball and how do they affect its flight path and speed off the racquet? My eye (and that's not scientific, obviously) tells me the angle of the racquet face plays less of a factor than commonly thought. Instead, it's the motion of the racquet at the point of contact vs the ball flight. If the racquet strikes the ball at the exact point when the racquet swing path begins to change from moving forward to arcing across the body, this rotational motion is what imparts topspin on the ball combined with forward drive. Don't believe me, or agree? Watch slo-mo footage and see. All the pros, with great timing, so their contact point is more consistent, will strike the ball at or near this rotational swing path changing point. You will also notice, unless the ball is approaching them at a low angle, their swing paths are NOT particularly low-to-high as is commonly described, but rather quite linear actually, and the ball is struck near the instant the swing path is starting to change from a more linear, forward motion into a rotational, arcing, motion across the body.

[Fernwald]

I must respectively disagree with your statement that grips can create more topspin; the semi-Western and Western grips, because they close the racquet face at contact automatically create more spin. I believe spin is determined by two factors: the degree of upward motion of the racquet head and the speed of this motion. The greater the degree of upward movement and the faster the racquet head speed, the greater the amount of topspin. The semi-Western and Western grips only make it somewhat easier to achieve this upward motion by facilitating the counter clockwise rotation of the wrist (if you are right handed). This greatly increases the angle and speed of upward motion.

Federer uses a mostly Eastern forehand grip yet he achieves a great amount of topspin, so the grip is not the basic determinant of topspin.

[harleedavidson]

My grips were semi-western forehand but had a classic eastern one backhand grip on my main hand but on my two handed backhand

[nagarajaraogangodu]

can you pls show me with a video on racket angle at contact while you demonstrate it?. I cant understand this math n physics side so much in words bro.

[commondirtbagz]

Does Nadal not have as much spin as he used to?

[abderrezakboukazouha]

I hit more with the topspin, because it's more consistent, but I could hardly hake a winner far from the baseline, so I have to mix with the flat forehand

[iconoclastforever]

I got a bit confused starting around 1/2 way through this video. The Pythagorean theorem shows that total speed is the square root of the sum of horizontal speed squared plus the vertical speed squared. So I wonder about the accuracy of the findings RacquetFlex mentioned.

[xocarroll]

why is del potro holding the racquet in his left hand?