Reliable Slice? How to

[Serve em Up]

I am trying to learn how to hit a hard reliable slice off both sides. I can hit them about 10% of the time from slow to med pace balls. If the pace picks up, I sail them high and long. The backspin is there but the trajectory is completely wrong. How do I flatten it out?

Most of the good players at my club hit with low hard slices. It is particularly effective in Doubles.

My normal topspin baseliner style just doesn;'t match up well. I need to learn how to mix it up some so they don't get dialed in.

[bigfoot910]

I am going to assume that you use a 2 hbh. This is when players have the most trouble learning a 1 handed slice. If not this advice will translate to the 1 hander too.
The biggest problem with hitting a slice for most people is in the shoulders. When taught a 2hbh we are taught to open up our shoulders to get the most bang for the buck while striking the ball. However, this will lead to alot of inconsistency in the slice backhand. Just like a topspin or flat 1 hbh players are taught to keep their shoulders level and hit through the ball without opening up the shoulders until much later in the follow through. Take a look at federer hitting his backhand. his shoulders stay even and closed almost until he is turning around to track down another ball.
So an easy fix is to work on keeping those shoulders closed and level, and have a good solid follow through (no chopping a la Roddick).
Hope this helps!