FLIGHT OF THE BALL IN SPIN

FLIGHT OF THE BALL

As the Tennis ball travels toward an opponent, its flight is affected by surrounding
air. When the ball spinning, the air has even more significant effect on its flight.
*SPIN PRODUCTION
Anyone who has played Tennis knows the value of being able to vary spins on the
ball when competing. Ball spin can be used for various reasons. Some players prefer
to use Underspin (or backspin) when they feel they can better control shot
placement. Other player attack the ball aggressively, like to hit Topspin on the ball
because they feel it improves their control. Still other competitors uses Sidespin on
certain strokes.

In Topspin – the top of the ball is rotating

in the direction the ball is travelling. As
the ball rotates it carries a small boundary
layer of air with it. On the top of the ball
(where the ball is rotating in the same
direction it is travelling), the boundary
layer of air is going in the opposite
direction as the air flow that is
encountering the ball during its flight.
This causes high amount of turbulence
above the ball that forces the ball
downward thus causing the looping effect
commonly seen with topspin
groundstroke.
In Underspin – the ball is spinning in the opposite direction, the bottom of the ball
is rotating in the direction that the ball is travelling. Therefore, the interaction of the
boundary layer of air with the oncoming air creates turbulence below the ball. The
result is that the ball tends to stay in the air longer as it travels across the net.

*SPIN ALSO AFFECTS HOW A BALL BOUNCES

TOPSPIN- tends to push backward against the court, causing the ball to rebound at a
lower angle, than a ball with no spin. The turbulence on the top of the ball forces
it downward, causing the approach angel to the court to be very steep.
 UNDERSPIN –causes the ball
to bounce at a greater angle,
under certain condition. When
the ball approaches to the court
with a steep approach angel,
the underspin causes the ball
to push forward against the
court at contact, which forces
the ball to slow down and
rebound more vertically than
normal. A Slice drive that just
clears the net tends to approach
the court at a very low angle,
causing the ball to skid and take a low bounce. Most of the underspin groundstrokes
is to drive the ball in to opponent’s court with a low trajectory.
DIRECTION OF THE BALL

Reported by: Jay Carlo S. Bagayas (4.2)

References. USTPA Book & Internet

http:ffden-2.physics.itf.educ