Hey Resznotes, the biggest difference between a backhand topspin and counter topspin is the starting position and contact point I would say. When playing a counter you need to start the bat slightly higher to help youbget over the top of the ball to contact it because of the incoming topspin on the ball.
Everyone is slightly different with their technique as you say I start higher and Dan brings his bat up slightly later but it in the end it achieves the same goal of hitting over the top of the ball with a closed bat angle.
With a normal backhand topspin of course your bat is still closed but you don’t need to be quote as high with the start position or hit on top of the ball as much because you aren’t dealing with too much speed or spin. I hope this makes sense and any questions on it let me know!
