Timo Boll’s forehand topspin from a sideways position
How to play a forehand with Timo Boll shows us another topspin variety, which doesn’t look quite so spectacular at first sight but if you take a closer look it demands a lot of athletics and ability. The forehand topspin from the side is very demanding concerning balance, coordination, timing and feeling for the ball. At top level this variety belongs to the repertoire of every player because it can be used to return topspins with quick reactions and pressure from difficult positions. Let’s look at Timo Boll.
It is meaningful to look at the whole game situation to understand why it is useful to play a forehand topspin with shifting the weight to the side. Pictures 1-6 show this impressively.
Pictures 1-6
Timo is already moving forwards to return a ball which was placed in the middle of the forehand (picture 1). He gets into position with one big step and decides probably on a short push return (Picture 2). He takes the weight on his left forward leg to get back into his optimal game position (picture 4). This is followed by a parallel step backwards (pictures 5, 6). Picture 6 shows Timo just before he gets into the playing position. His bat is in front of his body in a neutral position. At this moment it is still not decided which stroke Timo will use to return the ball. On picture 7 he has made up his mind because it is obvious that he opens up towards the forehand and prepares for a forehand stroke.
I am Damo and i do not own the rights to this article it belongs to HERE
How to play a forehand with Timo Boll shows us another topspin variety, which doesn’t look quite so spectacular at first sight but if you take a closer look it demands a lot of athletics and ability. The forehand topspin from the side is very demanding concerning balance, coordination, timing and feeling for the ball. At top level this variety belongs to the repertoire of every player because it can be used to return topspins with quick reactions and pressure from difficult positions. Let’s look at Timo Boll.
It is meaningful to look at the whole game situation to understand why it is useful to play a forehand topspin with shifting the weight to the side. Pictures 1-6 show this impressively.
Pictures 1-6
Timo is already moving forwards to return a ball which was placed in the middle of the forehand (picture 1). He gets into position with one big step and decides probably on a short push return (Picture 2). He takes the weight on his left forward leg to get back into his optimal game position (picture 4). This is followed by a parallel step backwards (pictures 5, 6). Picture 6 shows Timo just before he gets into the playing position. His bat is in front of his body in a neutral position. At this moment it is still not decided which stroke Timo will use to return the ball. On picture 7 he has made up his mind because it is obvious that he opens up towards the forehand and prepares for a forehand stroke.
I am Damo and i do not own the rights to this article it belongs to HERE