Topspin Forehand vs Flat Forehand - How To Master Both Tennis Forehands

Topspin Forehand vs Flat Forehand - How To Master Both Tennis Forehands
When it comes to the importance of tennis shots, the forehand is at the top of the list after the serve and return of serve.
That's why it's important to master all elements of the forehand, but also to master both the topspin forehand and the flat forehand in tennis.
In this video, Coach Simon Konov of Top Tennis Training will help you to improve both your topspin and flat forehands and show you exactly when to use each one.

Topspin Forehand
The topspin forehand in tennis is the best way to construct points from the baseline as it increases your margins and allows you to play high percentage tennis. By hitting with heavy topspin, you can increase your power yet stay consistent.
To increase the topspin on your forehand, focus on brushing up the back of the ball as you make contact, going from 6 o'clock up to 12 o'clock on the ball.

You can also increase the topspin on your forehand by using the open and semi-open stances which will allow you to load up and use the ground force on the shot.
Think - load and explode.

Flat Forehand
The flat forehand can be a great weapon in your game, if you use it at the right time and execute the shot to a high standard.
Focus on extending through the contact point, hitting out towards to intended target. Stay on the ball for as long as you can, and use a more linear contact zone.
Using the neutral stance can also help you hit the forehand flatter as you will be able to transfer your body weight into the shot and stay on the ball.

Video Timeline:
00:00 - Topspin Forehand vs Flat Forehand in Tennis
01:14 - Mastering The Topspin Forehand
03:21 - Mastering The Flat Forehand
05:47 - When To Use The Topspin Forehand in Tennis
07:31 - When To Use The Flat Forehand in Tennis

[gerrysuwignyo]

the background is so still i thought i was a green screen

[JaunieChan]

I am French and you are the first person that I see taking a baguette as a measurement. It will definitely help developing my flat forehand. Thank you !

[wackojumey]

Thanks for the vid but those subs are VERY distracting and annoying, just use normal subs next time!

[connyberg]

I never actually thought of it this way.. It was an eye opener. I always thought that a player will either be a flat or topspin hitter. But to use topspin for safe shots and flat shots for winners makes a lot of sense

[CacheCropp]

Helpful video. I struggle hitting a flat forehand. As I’ve been working to improve it, I have found the idea of staying on the ball with the racket moving forward screws me up and I sometimes sky the ball. What has helped, is to instead think of painting the ball with brush strokes. Topspin I paint low right to high left in a natural swing arc. Flat forehand - I paint a more lateral slightly ascending right to left brush stroke in my natural swing arc.

[cuitaro]

0:45 I absolutely agree with you. The topspin forehand is my "default" shot, but when I've had enough with my opponent, I just max out on the flat. Great video Coach Simon!

[Berci]

One question, what type of grip should i be holding for each? Semi-western seems to be the easiest on the wrist for top spin shots, but i might be wrong, hope you can help 😅

[guillermoeduardogatto]

wow, excelent explanation so clear, thanks very much Simon !

[Shaunsweeney-Kubach]

I grew up playing tennis in the 80s and the 90s and 80% of shots are flat shots and with modern styles I have added topspin, but I noticed that the younger guys I play against aren’t able to handle my flat shots in rallies and I have to adjust my swing so I am able to rally with my friends. Great video my friend .

[PrecisionPointTennis]

Thanks Coach! Always appreciated your most excellent insights and instructions 🥇🎾🏆

[panosbozopoulos]

Having been struggling through rallies to avoid errors and maintain consistency with my flat shots, this video is very useful and informative. I'll try blending my shots. Thanks for this Simon!

[KG]

Simon, I see that some of your videos are shot in Turkey. Greeting from Bodrum!

[ElijahPlaysTennis]

Top class material as usual! Simply the best

[svarodzic]

Damn you Simon. Now I want french baguette with butter and cheese!!!! )))

[annaquilina]

Loved this video and explanation of 2 styles of forehand. THank you

[АннаФ-сд]

I love this video🙏😊. Exactly what I needed. Thank you Coach Simon !

[operation]

Flat forehands are a lot more fun to hit and more fun to watch as a viewer.

IMO the real reason flat hitting is frowned upon now is because the establishment want to stretch out matches and lengthen points.

Look what they've done to grass over the past 20 years. It's now slower than the Australian open!

Find a coach that embraces your creativity as a player and improves your strengths, rather than trying to reinvent the wheel at an advanced level.

[MoneyisAwesome]

Hey, you mentioned that “we can produce the topspin by closing the strings”. Can you please explain it in more detail? I watched your forehand tutorial and asked this question once previously, but still don’t get that “modern” forehand with horizontal string placement during the swing path. It’s easy to understand the low to high idea as well as “windshield wiper” motion and how they generate topspin (that’s what I use for topspin currently). But what’s the deal with horizontal “closed” string racket placement? Don’t get it, but really want to understand.

[alanknowles]

Good description of pure Topspin and Linear flat drives. I think the best stroke is the neutral flat drive but adding the top spin stroke at the same time. The racket path from facing down on the back swing to driving with topspin was shown clearly.

[sportscastercanada]

Thanks 🙏 for another fantastic video. Out of curiosity, comparing 16x19 & 18x20 string patterns: Is it fair to say a 16x19 pattern will maximize your top spin forehand vs a 18x20 pattern? And a 18x20 pattern will maximize your flat forehand and even backhand potential because of the tighter pattern? Maybe you have experimented with this in the past… ✌️