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

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Which forehand do you prefer? Download our FREE forehand guide - www.top-tennis-training.com/forehand-guide/

[@atp_tennis_big]

What model of white racket do you have?

[@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 !

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Good luck with the improvements 🙏

[@gerrysuwignyo1979]

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

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

It’s the most tranquil tennis club I’ve ever come across. Oxford, UK 🇬🇧

[@TicTacs4everyone]

I thought so too. There is also no shadow :D

[@simenbo797]

That's just insane, I was sure it was a green screen. I was thinking, why the hell bother, why not just record a tennis video on a tennis court 😂😂

[@basicallynormal]

The lack of shadow is super weird 😂

[@bob1234881]

It's the uk. We don't have sun. 😂

[@connyberg5665]

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

[@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!

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Many thanks 🙏

[@Shaunsweeney-Kubach71]

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 .

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Many players who are younger haven’t faced a flatter ball and it really shows when they’re pressed. Very interesting. Thanks for tuning in 🙏

[@vasDcrak]

Yes, that younger player is me lol

[@panosbozopoulos5212]

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!

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Good luck with the improvements 👍

[@annaquilina1702]

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

[@guillermoeduardogatto7513]

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

[@Sy2023hk]

I tried your forehand techniques today, really impressed with my improvement, thanks!

[@PrecisionPointTennis]

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

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

My pleasure and thanks for the support 🙏

[@ElijahPlaysTennis]

Top class material as usual! Simply the best

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Many thanks for the support 🙏

[@kemalkahvecioglu9707]

Great lesson! Thank you Coach Simon.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

My pleasure 🙏

[@user-ng9jj3cz5p]

O! Thanks a lot for subtitles! Now I can understand you better!

[@robertonunez1085]

Thank you very much Simon!! I really appreciate your videos!!!

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

My pleasure Robert 🙏 Any lessons you’d like to see soon?

[@alanknowles1154]

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.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Thanks for watching

[@oliveroshea5765]

Love this!!

[@sheswhisky]

Very good explanation, thank you so much

[@amerassi9319]

Excellent video and lesson .very usefull.thank you coach simon for share it.,👍

[@AKJoel]

Wow this video is incredible, exactly what I needed to see - thanks!

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Happy to help 🙏

[@claudiocacopardo4452]

Thanks you :) for that nice video explanation

[@ilovejune98]

It's very useful information. I'm going to watch this video and practice slowly

[@olaniyanadeyemiayodeji3500]

Great lesson. Very apt and precise. We'll done coach.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Many thanks 🙏

[@mojikatofficial]

Sincerely you are a great teacher man , many blessings and prosperity for being such a great tennis teacher

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Many thanks for your kind comment 🙏

[@yannleborgne2996]

Excellent ! Very precise 👍

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Many thanks 🙏

[@hyungpak5181]

Congratulations! You got a synthetic and didactic explanation! I appreciate a lot!

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Many thanks 🙏

[@karimessam6003]

Thanks simon for your awesome videos. Can you make one about timing?

[@WisdomTeet]

Excellent explanation. Thank you

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Many thanks 🙏

[@martinvazquez-gg5xs]

Great vid

[@TheWZINCLTD]

Wow what a great video!! I could do these but I did not know how and why. Thanks

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

My pleasure 🙏

[@us_tennis_parents_academy]

Good points Simon. Sometimes it's easier to hit a shorter, high ball flat with a semi or open stance. The higher ball is difficult for some to hit from neutral and drive through the ball. With a semi or open, you can use angular momentum and extend through the contact point to really flush the ball away. Similar to the stance and angular momentum you used at 8:44 in this video. Keep up the great work!

[@varjona1]

Awesome video, really brings into consciousness these choices and what the desired effect is! Question, what tennis ball machine are you using?

[@ParkerHsu]

Useful tips

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Many thanks 🙏

[@rf923]

Nice demonstration. Upload the dual video to compare topspin vs. flat for some minutes.

[@svarodzic]

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

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Sounds delicious, make it two, one for each of us 😉

[@sibelakkaya]

Thanks a lot! 🙏 I wıll try.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Let us know how it goes 🙏

[@Matthew9818]

Good video . I get so frustrated with my forehand . very consistent but i don’t get enough pace on the ball . I started as an adult but i struggle to play aggressive on the forehand . I play with a semi western forehand grip . i’m a lefty . My backhand is the opposite . Two handed flat as a pancake and punchy . But because it’s so flat i don’t like hitting it .

[@marivipalomino6975]

Thank you.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

My pleasure

[@darridee]

Nice clear explanation of what each shot looks like and when to use it. Keen to work on my non-existent topspin forehand now! Was a bit baffled by "close the strings" though lol

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Try it out and see what happens 👍 It’s magic 🪄

[@bmanbusee3812]

Yeah same here about close the strings as well. Get what he’s saying but better clarification should be used..😅

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

I’ve covered it in past lessons. In great depth

[@divitisaiprasad9607]

Super explanation.....

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Many thanks 🙏

[@AntonioGarcia-vb8el]

Hey Coach!! Have you painted your racket?? And if the answer is yes, what materials do you used and how was the process? Thanks so much!!

[@akbarberlian]

Amazing video for beginner! Can you make similar explanation yet for backhand side? How to hit, when to use, etc?

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Coming soon 👍

[@bdwar2354]

Cảm ơn bạn!

[@stevehackbarth1831]

Thanks Simon. Excellent video! I use a semi-western grip on my forehands, should I adjust towards continental on flat hits?

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

No, stick with the same grip on all forehands but change the racket path during the strike zone

[@ofekarush3236]

Great video! Do you keep the same grip for both topspin and a flat shot, or does your grip style change (and which grips do you recommend)?

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Same grip for both 👍 Semi western or eastern grips work best

[@oliveroshea5765]

Do you do face to face coaching?

[@martinrosemary5654]

I use an eastern forehand grip and hit whit a straight arms, does the chest level height for a flat ball still applies?, or should i have an easier time whit let s say hip level balls?, thanks, love your channel.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Test out different heights and see which one suits you more. One size doesn’t fit all

[@ElijahPlaysTennis]

Can you make a video on how to get rid of one of my bad habits which is being constantly stuck in a open stanced footwork?

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

I cover that in this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKHGopdrnrV2rasfeature=shared

[@adderall7104]

Move your feet?

[@stevelangridge1755]

I feel like in doubles - leaving aside topspin lobs - that flat or slice are both more effective than topspin because they present fewer and more difficult volleying opportunities for the opponents. Would you agree?

[@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… ✌️

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

I think the string patterns can definitely help a player to some degree, but, ultimately, it comes down to technique. A player using 16x19 for example who uses an eastern forehand grip and hits through the ball won’t be getting much topspin. Just like certain strings can help you hit with more topspin but you still need that technical foundation

[@alfonsonorelli5413]

yes its true, 18x20 is for extreme control if you are a player tecnhique and accuracy, 16x19 gives better spin and you have more chance of saving some techincal error (a bit late or early shot, less or more power....). Last summer I bought my usual racket brand but I didnt notice it was different scheme and also a different balance....It was terrible, I had all flat shots, no spin and I damaged elbow for months. I got my racket back but after 4 months im good but still not 100%

[@chevgr]

The way you “jump” / step through. When your right leg end up in front of your left. I’m told by many coaches not to do that?

[@fervent282]

Other than the swing path and contact point, does the grip or angle of the racquet change when doing a flat forehand? I mainly use a semi-western grip and do mostly topspin shots for reference.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

You should keep the same grip for all forehands. Changing grips is a great way to ruin your feel for a stroke

[@fervent282]

Thanks!

[@marekw.9816]

Great, now I'm craving a French baguette.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Get one ☝️

[@hyonhoshin1241]

Thanks for this video. Quick question. The man at the last few seconds of this video uses both hands as forehand. Is that legal? Very interested in that style😊

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Absolutely legal, there are a few pros who play/have played with two forehands

[@micr0eye]

what is the white tennis racket thank you have?

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

It’s a prototype 👍

[@mehmetmacit3]

4:02 from Turkey . Hi 😊😊😊😊

[@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.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Test it out and see what happens 👍

[@MoneyisAwesome]

@@TopTennisTrainingOfficial I tried, but it ends up being open at the contact point. Do you have a video where you go on this like step by step specifically on this closed racket swing path?

[@butacaexplosiva333]

Which grip should I use for flat shots? Eastern? Or should I not change the grip?"

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

It’s best to use your usual (same) grip

[@butacaexplosiva333]

Thx! 🙏🏻

[@cesarfernandezlopez5063]

The green grass of England, they really look great those grass courts, but this year Djokovic didn't taste it , instead he had to bite the "dust "😂😂😂 VAMOOOOOOS CARLITOOOS 💪🏻🎾❤️🇪🇸 Thank you Simon 🙂❤️

[@billucf96]

Practice alternating continental and semi western grips every shot for 50 shots.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Why would you do that unless you’re alternating between a topspin drive (semi) and a slice (continental) ?

[@maxdawson2948]

Hitting a flat forehand well so difficult

[@destrakharisma4883]

Can Subtitle to Indonesia?

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Maybe in the future 👍

[@serhiyfesh4478]

👍

[@wackojumey]

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

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Next time I’ll ask you to add the subs 👍

[@redmandyl]

Agree. Very distracting

[@henrychua6476]

You should have emphasized the difference in the follow through…..because there is.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

👍

[@kahlilherde9334]

Ok ok

[@Fridebuh]

Why the baguette ? I'm french and now i'm disturbed :)

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Just a visual aid to help you

[@Fridebuh]

@@TopTennisTrainingOfficial haha I know i was kidding. Thanks for the video. Being back to tennis after a while it helps a lot :)

[@TheDudafantini11]

french baguette🤣

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

🤣

[@Davyjones5454]

woah...that background is very weird

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

A beautiful tennis club in historic Oxford

[@user-ff8zm9ye7r]

Sorry For me your second forehand is not flat just my opinion

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

It’s almost impossible to hit a completely flat forehand unless you’re using a continental grip. We call it flat as it’s much flatter than the normal topspin shot 👍

[@user-ff8zm9ye7r]

@@TopTennisTrainingOfficial yes for really flat forehand you need use continental Grip right For me it s polyvalent forehand

[@user-hd2bk3hy1u]

Dual forehand for you? Uhmmmmmmmm........

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Absolutely 💯