This is my attempt at the BH Shove Topspin from 1.5 weeks ago (i.e. before watching the official video). I tried to copy the stroke from Brett's short video he previously posted in this thread (he also provided comments on shadowswings I had sent to him directly). Some questions:

(1) Brett, does the shadow swing look ok?

What I find interesting and frustrating is that my actual stroke is different (imo I need to bow forward more and shove directly forward) than the shadowswing -- this happens to me quite a lot. I look at the recording after returning home because I don't want to keep my practice partner waiting.

(2) Any advice on how to minimize the difference between shadowswing and actual stroke? Do you recommend practicing the shadowswing more often?

https://youtu.be/nNcHxXv3K_4

My backhand is a mix of all kinds of things - shove, twist, arm usage, and none of them done 100%... what the heck...

https://youtu.be/0jAftP-e0xA?t=264

Just in case this gets lost - there is nothing wrong with having more than one backhand topspin shot IMO (or more than one kind of forehand topspin shot either). I tend to do something more like the shove when I counter a topspin ball, but something with more elbow driven action (and sometimes more wrist usage) when I want to loop backspin or play a spin shot from off the table with more venom.

Here is my first attempt:


It's very very hard to remove the wrist whip. I was of course trying different things here, like using both arms, then 1 arm. I wasn't even really focused on the ball.

The body movement is flawless but you need to shove your arm out much lower.

Try to get the feeling that you are hitting down on the ball and throwing your arm low and forward.

The closest one was at 00:20

I must disagree, the one at 10 seconds was best. In fact all of them with 2 arms were better. I can see a change when I go to 1 arm. I'm going to stick to 2 arms for a little bit and see if that helps.

Here is my first attempt:


It's very very hard to remove the wrist whip. I was of course trying different things here, like using both arms, then 1 arm. I wasn't even really focused on the ball.

It will get better but the ball quality looks pretty good. Tuck your arm in towards your chest more. I think taking the backswing further gives you more room to come forward and straight into the ball.

I think this is a good tip for everyone.

Brett we need more content. Now is the time for really working on technique.

Alright I will try this later. I had to sleep on what it meant. Just got done with my cov19 three hour daily training camp.

Brett we need more content. Now is the time for really working on technique.

Footwork is way overrated imo.