The True Brush Stroke Top Spin Forehand

After reading Charly Rasheed’s book, Brain Alignment: The Art of Focus in Tennis, I imagine I began analyzing the mechanics of my swing a little more as I was trying to strike the ball earlier if I could. Check out Brain Alignment: The Art of Focus In Tennis

We all see the pro’s do it and it usually requires a western or extreme (if that be the proper term) western grip and coming more so up and upward through the ball than driving the ball forward with the racket, body and arm momentum.

I am being somewhat facetious as to my knowledge of this stroke, yet I feel many who went to the other tennis class a few decades ago (I did) are having a difficult time creating this shot. Much of it is timing and adjusting one’s body stance differently and being prepared slightly, yet much earlier to address the incoming shot.

I’ve even seen teens doing their best to emulate this stroke, but many are still striking the ball almost behind them and most likely off their back heel. If you don’t use this stroke to strike the ball early (earlier than otherwise), you might as well do your best to hit old school waiting for the ball to fall near your knee height. There is nothing wrong with this as it is still a strong fundamental tennis stroke, but it is not going to set your opponent off balance.

In other words, if I see an opponent exaggerating the basics of a great top spin brush stroke, but they are waiting for the ball to drop in their wheel house I am coming in to take their shot out of the air.

Obviously with the pro’s and the young one’s coming up and using this stroke properly, it is very powerful, not so much by pace as much by how early the ball can be taken (demanding quicker response from the opponent) and by being taken at a greater height (a much better ball point-of-view) at the opponent’s court.

Although this shot requires some sound footing, possibly followed through with motion that takes one off their feet, being planted and ready to pounce, on the balls of one’s feet, will produce better results.

Obviously, the motion and power used to brush the ball presents a problem (top spin) for the returner, particularly if the ball makes it to court level.

If you are playing doubles and you are experiencing too many well executed killer top spin forehand shots after the serve, you are either not moving in or you and your partner are out matched.

This is a huge tennis topic, like most, that could be dissected 10 different ways.

The top spin brush stroke taken early or at the top-of-the-rise is such a graceful shot when executed well and so deadly when used at the right time.