Stop Brushing for Topspin: Use a Press-and-Roll Drill Instead

“Brush up on the ball” can be a useful cue, but it is easy to turn into a literal, steep scrape. When players chase that feeling, contact can become late or weak, the grip can tighten, and the ball may land short. The aim is not to eliminate topspin; it is to combine a clean forward contact with a modest upward path that suits your stroke and the ball you receive.

Start with a relaxed, repeatable swing. On slow self-feeds or easy drop feeds, choose a contact point in front of your body and send the ball forward with a slightly rising racket path. Keep the hand and forearm loose enough for the racket to move freely; do not force wrist lag or lock the wrist in place. Notice whether the ball clears the net with enough height and still reaches a useful depth.

A simple press-and-roll rehearsal can help you feel the direction of the strings without becoming the stroke itself. Away from live hitting, gently roll a ball upward along your own racket strings or use a coach-held ball, then return to easy feeds. The rehearsal should be light and controlled—never a reason to press hard against another player’s racket or to exaggerate the upward movement.

Build the drill in stages. First, use ten to fifteen calm feeds and prioritise centred contact and depth. Next, add a little racket speed while keeping the path mostly forward. Then try short cooperative rallies and assess the result: is the ball clearing safely, landing with depth, and rotating without tension? If the ball repeatedly lands short, reduce the steepness of the path and simplify the feed rather than forcing more spin.

Topspin is only one part of a reliable groundstroke. Trajectory, pace, timing, depth and court position matter too. If you have persistent wrist, elbow or shoulder pain, stop the drill and seek an assessment from a qualified clinician or coach before continuing.