Spin in Table Tennis/ Ping-Pong - How Does it Work and How do You Create it?

With topspin, the ball is rotating forward so that the top of the ball is moving in the same direction that the ball is travelling. The force exerted on the ball by its spin will be generally downwards (assuming the ball has been hit almost horizontally). This downward force works in the same direction as gravity, causing the ball to dip faster towards the table.

It is the effect of topspin that allows advanced players to hit the ball with amazing power from below the net, but still land the ball on the other side of the table.