How to Hit the Forehand Topspin Lob in Tennis

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Starting Backswing If your opponent is at net and a topspin lob clears his reach, it's a winner. Even the quickest players on the pro tours just turn around to see where it will land. In contrast, most flat or slice lobs are worth chasing. So, why would anyone ever choose to hit a flat or slice lob? Probably because to hit a good topspin lob, you must get the racquet tilt and swing path right much more precisely than you need to for any other lob. The payoff is a ball that, once it clears your opponent, drops faster than a flat or slice lob, then kicks toward the back fence. The risk is a ball that either hands your opponent an easy overhead or sails long. A few points to observe in this photo: Eastern grip (more Western grips would be fine, too) Stepping onto right (back) foot Backswing same so far as for a drive - no clues for opponent yet

Backswing Complete Racquet fully extended back Weight shifting onto back leg Hitting a drive is still an option

First Body Clue Dropping racquet to prepare to brush up for topspin An exceptionally astute opponent might see a signal of a topspin lob here: the curve from the back of the right foot, up the back of the leg and torso to the shoulder, resembling a right parenthesis, parallels the shape of the topspin lob swing path to come

Racquet at Extreme Low Point Racquet drops almost to ground, almost as far below ball as it can get Knees bent to get racquet lower and prepare for upward push of legs Weight shifting back onto front foot

One Frame Before Contact One video frame (1/30 second) before contact Racquet head slightly dropped Racquet face slightly open

Contact Long axis of racquet parallel to ground Racquet face slightly open Upper body pulling backward slightly

One Frame After Contact One video frame (1/30 second) after contact Racquet has moved almost straight up - very little forward motion

High Point of Follow-Through Racquet continues nearly vertical path Upper body still leaning back slightly

End of Follow-Through End of follow through looks much like a forehand topspin drive Alternative is to finish with racquet over right shoulder - more strain on the arm, but helps some players create heavier topspin