What Is A Heavy Ball In Tennis - 3 Experiments That Explain It

So you want to know what is a heavy ball in tennis? A heavy topspin ball has three main elements: topspin, speed and good height above the net which results in good depth.
And to better show you how to hit a heavy ball in tennis I created an experiment where I used only 2 out of 3 elements of the heavy ball so that you can see what happens with the ball.
In the first experiment I did not use speed, in the second one I did not use enough height and in the third one I did not use enough topspin.
Once you see all three experiments you will realize that you cannot get a heavy ball without all three elements of the stroke - lots of topspin, good speed and good height above the net.
So in the final part of the video you will also see me hit a good tennis heavy ball puts my opponent under pressure and yet is quite a safe ball for me to play.
0:00 3 Keys To A Heavy Ball
0:55 Experiment #1 - Topspin & Height
2:41 Experiment #2 - Topspin & Speed
5:00 Experiment #3 - Speed & Height
7:02 Hitting A Heavy Ball
9:48 Coming Up...

[@galapalafala]

So glad you are creating content again. Your ability to explain things and make them intuitive is very powerful.

[@ClosetWorkshop]

Tomaz, you have such amazing quality of tennis content...you don't just show the destination, you lead your viewers through the journey. Thanks a lot! Can't wait for the next video in this series!

[@irishjayne6780]

Bravo! Very technical stuff Tomaz. With a lot of evidence to back it up too. Thank you!

[@craiglucas1844]

Fantastic demonstration and explanation! Thank you!

[@alfandosavant4639]

very very good video!! I have been a subscriber for few years, and I must say, you never disappoint

[@SKChong-wu9gr]

Evidence-based tennis video - painting more than what a thousand coaches can say... Thanks Tomaz!

[@feeltennis]

Yes, why not make an experiment. ;) Thanks for the feedback!

[@mantiskf]

strangely enough the term "heavy" is a jargon used in ball propelled sports; yet physicists, engineers and biomechanists who actually measure such things will show you that the ball actually has less weight against the opposing force, precisely because of the spin

[@tuanphanngoc9956]

Risk analysis based logic makes each situation more simple to get. Thank you

[@christopherruizchiu9730]

Great explanation on the definition of a heavy ball. Really simplifies the definition and has great examples.

[@leandronicolas8848]

Very very very well filmed and edited. Thank you!

[@darrengarside1012]

Upping your production values I see. Very good structure to the vid. Excellent advice as always.

[@feeltennis]

Much appreciated!

[@dawng7270]

This is the exact ability I am interested in! I was hitting with some people and they had this. I tried to find the answer and wasn’t successful. You have once again found the secret sauce and are sharing it with us. I can’t wait for your additional instruction of how to hit the heavy ball. I know now that mine are too slow and flat!!

[@davebeery_youtube]

You make the BEST videos. Thx!

[@Mrmelody85]

Brilliant video, thank you!!

[@ministerofjoy]

Outstanding course video. Thank you🌄👁️🙌✨👏🏽👏🏼

[@coachtripleb5121]

Hi Tomaz, Super clean & precise explanation with excellent examples (as usual) I’m sorry I could not attend Spain as I have family commitments & cannot just disappear on short notice for a week, but I know this was 1 of life’s ‘Missed Opportunities,’ ;-( I’ve noticed higher level players than me are really hitting these very heavy heavy balls . Thanks for sharing, look forward to the next one ;)

[@zaya5704]

I was waiting my whole life these kind of practical tennis instruction videos on internet! Keep going with these contents! Supporting from Myanmar (Burma).

[@feeltennis]

Wonderful to hear from Myanmar tennis players, I used to live and teach very near in Thailand some years ago…

[@zaya5704]

@@feeltennis Wow! Thank you! Please visit Myanmar if the civil war in country ends one day.

[@carlobacca7840]

Great video

[@bobjulianAT]

This is the best tennis YT account man!

[@LiamApilado]

You’re doing great things!

[@wolfzi6103]

Thx for sharing. I love your videos, great stuff. I would add the length to the definition of a heavy ball. Horizontally the angles, but the vertical length is the most important one. And if you can do it consistent with high and reasonable fast top spin shots, then all comes together...

[@abentrenaii]

Thanks, Tomaz

[@melisamelisa8929]

Great explanation on the heavy ball! As a long-time tennis player, I've always been curious about this. Just started playing pickleball recently-does the concept of a 'heavy ball' apply there too?

[@feeltennis]

I don't know. ;) Never played it and never will...

[@blazkowicz666]

Play real sports

[@ToiletSeatGamer]

Pickleball... No comment

[@JulienGaudfroy]

No

[@douavang5172]

lol. There is no such thing as pickle ball

[@speedymr]

Tennis Professor. No one is better than Tomaz.👏👏👏

[@photocongthuong]

wow. thank you so much.

[@AceNola2123]

Excellent concept, beautiful presentation and clear examples. Now what can we do to get the part 2 sooner than later? 😀

[@feeltennis]

Thank you! Part 2 is already being edited, give it a couple of weeks!

[@fsilber330]

The term used to have a different meaning. Don Budge, Jack Kramer and Ken Rosewall were all said to hit a "heavy ball" and all three hit very flat. But all three used a very heavy racket and/or frequently took the ball on the rise. I think their balls were called heavy because opponents were always surprised by the momentum produced by their smooth, graceful, measured swings (as contrasted with "slashers" such as Rod Laver, Arthur Ashe and John Newcomb who used light rackets and visibly appeared to be taking big, hard swings at the ball).

[@brettteeter3461]

Good point. I hit a very flat and hard forehand. I make a lot of errors on that side due to lack of margin, but also hit a lot of winners. Many people have told me over the years that I hit a heavy ball. I always assumed it came from that hard, flat ball, which lacks height. When that flat ball bounces, it almost stays on the same plane. Seems like it virtually pushes forward, perhaps reaching the opponent’s racquet just a moment earlier. That’s my definition of a “heavy ball”.

[@jamesbarletta409]

This video (along with your neutralizing ball video) completely changed my approach to the game! Brilliant explanation! I can't wait for the final video on HOW to hit the heavy ball (both sides hopefully). Got me wondering, based on the need for a heavy+fast+high ball, why isn't topspin more of a priority for the 2HBH? Seems like a flatter 2HBH is acceptable by most teachers.

[@feeltennis]

Thanks for the kind feedback, James! I can't say why the 2HBH is focused more in flat shots. It is true that at pro level the spin rate of 2HBH is slightly lower than 1HBH but not by that much. It depends also on the stage of learning. I would start teaching all groundstrokes pretty flat in order for the player to hit the ball clean and with good technique. Only after that I would start adding more topspin. If you start teaching heavy topspin too early it usually results in a messy technique...

[@jamesbarletta409]

@@feeltennis Amazing! I am right on the 3.5 moving to 4.0 level, so that is why this instruction was so perfect and timely for me! I started working on more spin and net clearance last night so PLEASE HURRY with that heavy ball instructional video! 😀

[@smileydamp]

in practice, I often hit deep, low, fast balls with top spin. They are moderately safe and clear the net by 2-3 ft, however, bounce is nearly 3ft too (50% bounce ratio for tennis balls).

[@iamroma]

It's primarily about speed, because heavy = momentum, but spin adds some heaviness (angular momentum) as well.

[@marlowe1969ify]

Thankssssss super coach

[@johnmichaelcavada7353]

Hi, Tomaz! Just curious. What tennis racket are you using in this video?

[@JaydeepDave12]

Great video. Cant find this anywhere

[@mddistribution30]

I remember Becker used to have a very fast serve but it was very heavy serve also, part of the reason why he was so successful on grass

[@robertl.6919]

Interesting. I have an eastern grip and a more flat type of stroke, like Del Potro or Federer, and I often hit with top spin players. They have more difficulty returning my deep balls then I have with theirs. All I have to do is back up few feet and hit the ball at hips level. Since a top spin ball is usually travelling horizontally slower than a flat ball, I have more time getting to the ball. It’s once it bounces up that the ball is faster. It’s a timing adjustment. But with more flat balls, they have less time to move around to the ball and they can’t be too far from the baseline because the ball will be too low to hit with good pace with top spin. But that’s is for 4.5/5 level players. I guess better players have a different reality.

[@hyperwarrior908]

That's what Rafa does at the French! Having all 3 elements at the same time with the trajectory of a lefty player. It must be an insane "gym workout" playing him at Roland-Garros.

[@ganzee6928]

Great content! But I am a bit confused by one aspect. The top spin shots without depth look very similar to flat forehands, I always thought top spin shots had a lot of loop due to the low to high racquet motion and hence depth as well. Could you clarify? Thanks

[@feeltennis]

Yes, there is a myth that topspin also means height or "loopy" shots. Topspin has nothing to do with ball's trajectory. It just means the ball is spinning forward. I can hit a topspin shot into the net or even into the ground if I want. And I can also hit loopy shots without any topspin, just flat if I want, an extreme example would be a flat lob.

[@PrecisionPointTennis]

Great video. I use the heavy ball against opponents and move them and make them run and get an opportunity ball and then I attack

[@feeltennis]

Exactly the right strategy!

[@michaelobell7032]

👍 👍 definitely passing this on to my class.

[@feeltennis]

Excellent!

[@tomsd8656]

Both spin and speed. Easy. Even underspin (slice) could be considered heavy if hit with pace and travel close to the net.

[@devoker666]

Good demonstration but , I think this mostly applies to slow courts like clay. Now, try the same in a fast court like astroturf or synthetic grass (90% of the courts where I live). No matter how hard I hit with heavy topspin, it is never as effective as a fast flat shot.

[@feeltennis]

Yes, then we come into the "it depends" territory. I would argue that a low fast ball is not effective if I can reach it easily which is at least 70% of the time. It does absolutely nothing to a skilled player - but lower level players always have trouble with speed. So as you progress in your tennis skills you will eventually reach a level where your opponent will not be troubled at all with a low fast ball (when they are positioned) and you'll see that It's just pointless risk. Much better to play with a higher topspin that's safer - even if it also does nothing to trouble opponent.

[@ericfreeman5795]

Totally agree with height and spin. But with respect to speed, isn't depth more important, and safe?

[@feeltennis]

Yes, for a normal neutralizing ball like I showed in one of the previous videos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXyyo4arhbl_g7M But that ball is not heavy. ;) If you want a heavy ball, it needs to have some speed.

[@anielloliguori6312]

ok can i add my take on this, A flatter shot hit with the same effort as a top spin shot will move quicker therefore using basic theory of physics the faster an object is moving its mass increases, spin will actually slow the ball down, therefore all things being equal a flatter ball will be heavier surely! I play flat, and play many players who hit with spin, what i find is if i hit a big ball they are troubled and they tend to return with a shorter ball for me to bang away! Now the only problem with my style is margin for error! Flatter shots are lower % however if you can play consistently in my opinion they are far more effective especially if the ball stays low and heavy making it hard for top spinners to hit up and over the ball!

[@feeltennis]

Flatter faster balls do not feel "heavy". If one has good timing they are very easy to handle because you use opponent's energy to bounce the ball back. That's what you can see in experiment #2 at 2:42 where you will see Kaja having no problems with my fast and low balls (if she is positioned well - which she will be 70% of the time). If you can attack opponent's topspin balls, then that's what I show in experiment #1, lots of spin and not enough speed, easy ball for a good player. Your opponents obviously cannot hit a heavy ball, they just hit with a lot of topspin and that does not make the ball heavy - hence the experiments to show you that. A heavy ball is the safest ball with which you also apply pressure but it is of course difficult to hit and requires a lot of effort and that drains energy fast. Recreational tennis players in most cases cannot sustain that even if they have good technique. I know how to hit a heavy ball but I could not sustain that in a 2 hour match after I was older than 35 years. ;) One has to become much more energy efficient as we age and therefore you will not see many heavy balls at senior rec level - even if the player has the skill to pull it off. I would just use it here and there to vary my game or to expose a weakness like a poor high backhand of my opponent off which I would get a short ball.

[@shabzone]

The balls from type 2 would be great short angle shots

[@johnwright2460]

Tomaz how do I join your members only group? When I watch your regular sessions there is no place to join the member group.

[@feeltennis]

Hi John, first you need to be a subscriber to the channel (for free). After that you should see a Join button under the video. If you don't see it, you are probably on mobile view, sometimes it doesn't show (It's a KZbin bug). You need to go on a desktop / laptop and then it should show up.

[@johnwright2460]

Got it. I joined. Thanks

[@robinperkins7695]

Thanks

[@feeltennis]

Very much appreciated!

[@emjay2045]

What’s racket are you using ? I’ve seen your vids for years. Same racket.

[@feeltennis]

Volkl V-Cell 6. I have to pay video editors so much money that I cannot afford a new racket. ;)

[@emjay2045]

@@feeltennis 😳😕

[@czarny_baranie4193]

What about playing low and without spin? Like Sabalenka / Rybakina or other WTA big hitters

[@feeltennis]

No one plays low without spin, it's too risky. You just didn't notice the spin. I see a lot of topspin here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJXThWeqqtiVaNk Or perhaps you are confusing topspin with arc? Meaning you think that low balls are not hit with topspin? Topspin and trajectory have almost no correlation - I can hit topspin into the ground if I want...

[@rohitrathi4552]

How can you talk and provide commentary while playing man?

[@jimgz]

Hi Tom! Great lessons!!

[@feeltennis]

Hey, thanks!

[@sanyatanugroho5716]

This video can be breakdown into: 1. How to do spin 2. How to do speed 3. How to do height

[@MrX-wd8cm]

would you say Federer hit a heavy forehand ?

[@feeltennis]

He could hit it when needed, especially when he played on clay courts. But "by default" he played lower faster balls, of course still with a lot of topspin, but not with a lot of height like Nadal. So the ball was fast but that does not really feel "heavy" as does the ball that is coming at you rising rapidly off the ground like Nadal's forehands do.

[@readyfortennis]

play tennis with me~

[@topspin3788]

Garbage in , garbage out. Confirmed.

[@PWY95]

hmmmm, i will just go top spin , speed and height. ez pee zee

[@TEN-S60]

Mixing up one’s shots is the key to winning tennis matches.

[@akbarberlian]

Exactly

[@cesarfernandezlopez5063]

Who's captain America? 😂😂😂

[@RichardsWorld]

I guess this is what Rafa does very well?

[@feeltennis]

The best of all players of all times.

[@yangwenli5788]

comparing to hitting ball hard, i more prefer to have a girlfriend playing tennis with me everyday

[@pierosangermein2071]

😅 play like gay

[@zuffle1023]

Lose the music please, distracting and competes with your instruction.

[@akbarberlian]

This video is just okay.. nothing special.. so i give this a rating.. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have been playing almost 2 years with 100 hrs of coaching… & i never understand what a heavy topspin ball is.. (variables in it) .. until this video !! Thank you thank you thousand thanks my friend.. hope God gives you blessings for your teaching & sharing, insyaallah

[@feeltennis]

Thank you very much for this wonderful feedback, I am very glad the video helped!