table tennis glossary
What is a Topspin in Table Tennis?
Topspin is forward spin imparted to the ball by brushing up the back. Topspin shots arc downward into the table and skid forward off the bounce. The dominant attacking shot in modern table tennis.
Example in a match
You loop a forehand topspin against your opponent's push. The ball curves down and skids forward off their side.
Table Tennis scoring with Volley
Volley scores table tennis with all the standard rules built in. Pick the sport at match setup, name your sides, and tap to score. Volley applies the rules from there — including the ones that involve "Topspin".
Free on iOS and Android. Multi-sport scoring across 9 sports with proper sport-specific scoring engines, ELO rating tracking, and tournament running.
Frequently asked questions
What is a topspin in table tennis?
Topspin is forward spin imparted to the ball by brushing up the back. Topspin shots arc downward into the table and skid forward off the bounce. The dominant attacking shot in modern table tennis.
Does Volley handle topspin automatically?
Yes. Volley's table tennis scoring engine handles every standard rule including topspin. You don't have to track it manually — pick the sport at match setup and Volley applies the rules.
Where can I learn more table tennis terms?
The full Table Tennis glossary is at /table-tennis-terms-glossary, with 20 of the most common terms explained.