Backhand Slice

[marosmith]

For the life of me I cannot hit this shot. I tend to hit a backspin lob whenever I try this. Any ideas what I am doing wrong?

I am self-taught, but I use a 1 HBH which gets better each time I play, but usually is a high bouncing topspin shot and I use an eastern grip for BH and FH.

[jmjmkim]

You have to have the right grip and straight arm. Contrary to belief, you don't have to chop at it . . . but rather have a open face, get under the ball, and have a wide U stroke. As you get better, you can start chopping it like crazy like Federer. . . .

Once mastered, this is the bread and butter stroke on the back hand side. Later, you can start adding some side spin to use as an approach shot to the Duece side. You gotta get the face under the ball, and give it a lift factor.

[marosmith]

You have to have the right grip and straight arm. Contrary to belief, you don't have to chop at it . . . but rather have a open face, get under the ball, and have a wide U stroke. As you get better, you can start chopping it like crazy like Federer. . . .

Once mastered, this is the bread and butter stroke on the back hand side. Later, you can start adding some side spin to use as an approach shot to the Duece side. You gotta get the face under the ball, and give it a lift factor.


OK, I assume a continental grip. Any suggestions on how to actually do the stroke.

[Midlife crisis]

A google search using "video backhand slice tennis" yielded this:

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-master-the-backhand-slice

I didn't watch it all but it looks basically technically correct.

[Djokovicfan4life]

Backhand slice technique:

http://www.fuzzyyellowballs.com/videos/index.php/list/952/Slice_Backhand

Common errors (Post #5 by Bungalo Bill):

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=191125&highlight=slice+square

Study the steps from FYB and if you have any questions I'd be happy to try and answer them as best I can.

Matt

[cl76]

The angle of the racquet face was too flat when it contacted the ball. Use a continental grip for bh slice.

[Nellie]

I use an eastern backhand grip for a more driving slice.

If the ball is poping in the air, your racquet face is too open. Likely, you are trying to scoop the ball. Instead, try to hit through the ball, with a high to low racquet swing path. The amount of racquet head drop does not need to be a lot - maybe a foot to get a good spin. Again, drive through the ball (think of hitting through a zone in which the ball is located)

[GPB]

Lately I've been hitting my slice with an eastern forehand grip. It doesn't work. Make sure you've got a good backhand grip when you attempt this shot.

I know what you're going through, though. I'm teaching my wife the game, and she decided that a 1hbh feels better than a 2hbh. Her natural swing on the backhand side has more backspin than topspin, so I'm trying to teach her how to hit a nice slice. Hers also pops up too much.

Try coming "into" the ball more, instead of "chopping" at it. When my slice starts flying, I try to hit it flatter, and it works out nicely.

Good luck, and have fun!

[Djokovicfan4life]

I use an eastern backhand grip for a more driving slice.

If the ball is poping in the air, yuor racquet face is too open. Likely, yuo are trying to scoop the ball. Instead, try to hit through the ball, with a high to low racquet swing path. The amount of racquet head drop does not need to be a lot - maybe a foot to get a good drop. Again, drive through the ball (think of hitting through a zone in which the ball is located)

Yeah, it seems that getting overly choppy with the slice, i.e. dropping the wrist at contact, seems to be one of the most common errors concerning the slice backhand.

That, along with not practicing it enough.

I prefer the mild eastern backhand gripped slice as well.

[LeeD]

MOST important is closed stance, fully turned sideways, feet also !
Then you can employ conti with forehand twist, to slice hard, low, skidding balls that move SLOWLY, spin hard, and skidd wierd. Gotta keep upper torso forward, leaning towards the opponent, and try to step in.
With eastern backhand grip, same full turn, take the ball in front more, keep torso square (vertical), move in if possible, slice hard high to low to get a faster moving ball with less backspin, more normal bounce, but more depth and penetration.
With semi western backhand grip, mainly on balls above shoulders, same prep, take the ball EARLIER, but now you don't need to swing as hard, as the racketface is more vertical, so you can short punch a fast moving, slightly underspinning backhand slice that is more traditional in movement and pace.
3 different one handed backhand slices, from returning low balls to chest high to shoulder high and above.... to be employed depending what you want your opponent to see and react to....

[fuzz nation]

This can be a really tricky thing to teach - a lot of it is counterintuitive when you compare this shot to a topspin stroke.

The continental grip is a good start. I think it also helps to keep that wrist cocked (so you thumb is right in the same plane as your forearm). Take the racquet back a bit above the ball - the elbow can start out with some bend, but you want it out straight at contact. Big difference compared with the topspin one-hander is that the slice requires a contact point that's farther back. Look to meet the ball out beside your leading shoulder.

Footwork and weight transfer - closed stance for sure, get your weight onto your front foot before the stroke, and lean forward through the shot, almost as if your arms are full of groceries and you need to bump a door open with your shoulder.

The swing isn't unlike throwing a frisbee. You start on a high-to-low path, but then curve back upward mildly as you extend into your follow-through. Maintain the "L" that's formed between the racquet's throat and your forearm throughout the stroke and try to point the tip of your racquet in the general direction of your target at the end of that full follow-through. That undesired lob can happen if the "L" breaks down and the racquet gets out ahead of your hand - that's where the racquet face opens up too much, the hoop slides under the ball, and pooches it up in the air.

Lather, rinse, and repeat a few thousand times and you'll have it!

[marosmith]

Thanks for your help, hitting flat with an extreme closed stance and a cont. grip has worked a little, but I still have a lot of work to do.