Is it possible to hit offensively with forehand slice?

[BillyBee]

I know that topspin is king when it comes to hitting forehands, but is it possible to hit slice forehands that are as offensively powerful as topspin forehands? Or should I just develop my topspin forehand to be my bread-and-butter groundstroke?

I'm only asking because:

(a) I saw a guy hitting the other day who seemed to have a slice forehand that really had *pop* to it. It was truly an offensive shot because he hit it HARD each time. I'd never seen anything like it.

(b) my slice forehand is SO consistent but I have it so drilled into my head that I should hit with topspin that I lose points in matches because it's less consistent.

Advice?

[nViATi]

I know that topspin is king when it comes to hitting forehands, but is it possible to hit slice forehands that are as offensively powerful as topspin forehands? Or should I just develop my topspin forehand to be my bread-and-butter groundstroke?

I'm only asking because:

(a) I saw a guy hitting the other day who seemed to have a slice forehand that really had *pop* to it. It was truly an offensive shot because he hit it HARD each time. I'd never seen anything like it.

(b) my slice forehand is SO consistent but I have it so drilled into my head that I should hit with topspin that I lose points in matches because it's less consistent.

Advice?
There's a reason everybody's main forehand stroke is topspin not slice!

[glass]

why turn what should be your main weapon into a pea shooter?

[Marius_Hancu]

course it is, it's just lower percentage

check this thread:
Slices
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?p=639091

[Bungalo Bill]

I know that topspin is king when it comes to hitting forehands, but is it possible to hit slice forehands that are as offensively powerful as topspin forehands? Or should I just develop my topspin forehand to be my bread-and-butter groundstroke?

I'm only asking because:

(a) I saw a guy hitting the other day who seemed to have a slice forehand that really had *pop* to it. It was truly an offensive shot because he hit it HARD each time. I'd never seen anything like it.

(b) my slice forehand is SO consistent but I have it so drilled into my head that I should hit with topspin that I lose points in matches because it's less consistent.

Advice?

Yes it is possible! Remember just because the spin is reversed does not mean it is automatically defensive. A defensive response with underspin is dependant on other things involved (positioning, opponents shot, preparation time, etc...).

You can hit an offensive slice on both sides. If you can nail an offensive slice forehand it is a very difficult shot to read from your opponent.

Several main things need to be present for a good frorehand slice:

1. Elbow is in!

2. Fixed wrist and firm grip (different than topspin forehand)

3. Master the contact point for you. Make it steady and consistent.

I like the forehand slice shot a lot and think it is a lost art. It dissappeared overnight when topspin became the ticket. In many ways, I think it needs to come back. I love hitting a strong crosscourt shot to the ad side (I am lefthanded), then change speeds with a down-the-line slice forehand that is hit firmly (offensive). The little ball skids and squirms away with some cross spin. Drives Western grippers nuts!

[snowpuppy]

Sure, if you can hit those low skidding slice. The two most annoying locations to hit it is shallow and angled away or close and right at your feet. but like Marius say there goes your percentage.

[bookem]

I think the maximum advantage of an offensive FH slice would be as an approach shot down the line. In most cases your opponent would hit a high return, thus setting up your putaway at the net.

The DTL is a fairly high percentage shot on a short ball. If your opponent doesn't return then you have a gift point.

[cervelo]

Keep posting on this topic guys ...

I have the same prejudices against the slice forehand as most of us ...

But if you don't think it can be an effective shot, I bet it's because you've never seen a brutal slice FH. That said, I think it's a harder shot to use routinely and effectively. Without solid timing, the tendency is to pop the ball up and lose spin.

I had this guy hit with that squash shot style that cleared the net by 6 inches and just got eaten up by the court due to its spin. He could hit topspin, but he would only mix it in about 50%. I was actually hitting a two handed BH/Jimmy Connors style slice back because of the bite.

I'm sure this guy frustrated many players by forcing errors due to his opponent's impatience by trying to "overwork" his slice ball.

[Richie Rich]

go watch a tape of a Noah match and you'll see how effective a forehand slice can be, especially as an approach shot.

[Geezer Guy]

Everybody's got a great topspin forehand, and you should too.

That being said, if you've got a consistent reliable shot that most people DON'T, that can be VERY effective for mixing things up. It will make playing against you just that much harder than playing against everyone else.

I'd suggest you work on BOTH shots, and during a game you mix and match to drive your opponent crazy.

[kevhen]

Yes, you can hit offensive slice. I will hit mine either low and hard up the middle over the low part of the net, or will take a little bit off and go for angles (usually inside out to the backhand side) since I can place it well and get my opponent off the court and away from their baseline comfort zone. It's hard to hit a clean winner with offensive slice though, but you can force many errors and use angled placement to open up the court. If you hit offensive slice, the ball will skid and stay very low. If your slice is slow and defensive, it will pop straight up after the bounce.

[Marius_Hancu]

as I said somewhere else:

the slice can be low percentage if you chose too low a trajectory. target a bit higher if your balls go into the net.

it's a lower percentage on the FH side, just as the FH volley is lower percentage than the BH volley (even Fed has problems with it, as commented by JMac), because the arm is open wrt the trunk at the shoulder, elbow and the wrist on the FH side, more reasons for instability, while on the BH side, the trunk is close for easier muscle support

[kevhen]

I don't consider it a low percentage shot (but it takes practice), unless you are trying to hit the ball 80-100mph (would you slice your backhand that hard?). My elbow is down by my waist and ends up pinned to my waist while my forearm and wrist slice through the ball with minimal waste of motion. It a very simple swing technique and can rally all day with it, if my opponent doesn't have any big winner blasting weapons.

Most club instructors frown upon players hitting forehand slice and I have seen them yell at pupils when hitting forehand slice when late to the ball and not being able to hit topspin. I think it's good to have both topspin and slice on both side and being able to use them when appropriate. That is the ultimate player in my opinion. Much more interesting to watch than the power serve and huge forehand style of player that was becoming dominate before Federer rose to the top with his all-court game.

[Kaptain Karl]

Using the technique described by BB, my FH Slice is such an offensive weapon, most of the guys I play have stated they "hate" my Sliced FH. I get many "unitentional winners" off it, because it squirts away and low. (I write "unintentional" because I'm really using it as a forcing or set up shot. Sometimes it's just too good anyway.

I will say those who normally use the Western grip have "slightly more trouble" disguising it. (The grip change is pretty obvious to your opponent.)

Yes. The FH Slice is an offensive weapon.

- KK

[cervelo]

It's also worth noting about using it as a desperation shot and passing shot when the approach is out of reach.

I see low approaches get chased down but mangled by efforts to hit topspin from shin level. In the example I'm describing, the player trying to hit a pass tries to apply topspin where it's just too dang hard to hit topspin. They end up with a wristy shot that lacks punch and direction.

Here's why the FH slice is the better choice: 1) when stretched out and on the run, the arm/wrist will apply slice more naturally than it would topspin- the body is not behind the shot. 2) slicing allows a hitter to get the sweet spot on the ball in one motion- there's no drop of the racquet head to get under and then through the ball/strike zone, 3) as a volleyer, ever notice what happens to a sliced ball when it hits your strings? It drops downward with the slightest mishit and creates a volley error!

The FH slice IS an underrated shot in my opinion. Although I wouldn't reserve it as a routine shot for a majority of players who probably find it unnatural, I think it should be used more often. It certainly allows for a decent degree of directional control, even on the run.

For those that can hit it, it is an exceptional weapon.

[kevhen]

Santorro won 5 games a set against Federer using a forehand slice!

[Slazenger]

Santoro's a perfect example of exception to the rule.
He has excellent touch and feel (not to mention double handed slices). Did you see him 'pocket' that air ball in his racquet????
He wasn't able to take a set off Fed, but he made Fed work though.

I use my forehand slice offensively, but only about 5% of the time. I've got 2 types. One is the straight underspin slice. It has very low net clearance and really dies after bounce. Also very low percentage.
The second is a squash type shot, which I use more often. Has a bit more net clearance, has some sidespin and has more 'pop' to the shot.

The situation and type of player will determine shot selection.

[Bungalo Bill]

Sure, if you can hit those low skidding slice. The two most annoying locations to hit it is shallow and angled away or close and right at your feet. but like Marius say there goes your percentage.

Well you get no argument about under spin (on either side) being a lower percentage spin than topspin.

But we are also talkiing about hitting the slice shot at the right time and with the right ball. In this case, the shot selection choice (providing you can hit the shot with good consistency) is a shot choice I would take.

So I would disagree that your "percentage" simply drops off the map. If you hit the slice forehand correctly it can be a very stable and risk friendly shot even hitting it down the line. The problem is most players that say it is "way" to risky can't hit the shot anyway.

[dmastous]

If you consider an offensive act as getting to the net to put away a volley, then yes a slice forehand may be even more effective a shot than top spin. It makes a great approach shot.
Normally a righty's forehand, hit down the line, will got to his right handed opponent's backhand. It's not easy for one handed backhand players to do much with a slice forehand like that. It can be a very effective shot in many situations.

[BillyBee]

Thanks to everyone for the great replies! This board is incredibly helpful.

[Mahboob Khan]

I did not have the time to read the above responses. My take on this issue is:

-- Normally players do not work on their forehand slices. Backhand slices come naturally to them.

-- A slice cannot match topspin drives in the power department.

-- However, a good slice whether from BH or FH win good in certain situations such as change of pace shot, approach shot, change of pace rally shot, return of serve in some situations.

-- It is good against extreme grip players such as western fh grips because such players prefer high balls in their strike zones. A good slice bounces quite low!

-- Slices are very effective against girls.

-- It's tough to pass with slice (a natural serve and volleyer).

-- You can use slice as a set up shot.

No, slice cannot match or replace a topspin forehand. If you want power, you must learn how to drive the ball with topspin!

Having said, players must work on their topspins as well as slice shots. You need all the tools to play the modern game of tennis.

[timmyboy]

the bounce on a slice shot is signifigantly lower if power is applied, therfore a harder to return ball.

[joe1987]

Hmm I think a few months back the ATP site had the play of the day showing ferrero using a forehand slice, you guys may want to check it out..

[kevhen]

Girls hate slices that is true. My sister used to complain to me to hit the ball like normal people do and a number of other women (3.0-3.5 level) have commented that they think forehand slicing is illegal (or should be made illegal) in the sport of tennis. Heavy topspinners with western grips hate slicers too since they make so many errors trying to get under the low balls.

[Kaptain Karl]

I might be side tracking here, but...

-- Slices are very effective against girls.Why? (Seriously.)

My sister had four brothers -- three of us Teaching Pros. And SHE was a Teaching Pro.

Maybe it was because she had four brothers to hit with, but I'm pretty sure she handles the Slices pretty well. (And I know I'm generalizing from a specific, hence my honest question....)

- KK

[kevhen]

Most girls in high school just hit topspin, so that is all they are experienced with. Once you get to the college level, the women have seen alot more slice and generally doesn't both them as much. Since I hit so much slice (not quite as much any more though), and have hit with alot of 3.5 ladies, I have seen very few get the low slices back. It does come with experience as 3.5 guys struggle with low slice too but not as much since maybe men tend to slice more than women. Women generally hit 2 handed backhands while alot of guys still slice with one hand. Alot of generalization, so plenty of exceptions to this hypothesis.

[Geezer Guy]

I know this is a bit off the boy-girl trend, but just wanted to say that I recently played an opponent who hit TONS of forehand slices. I've never seen anyone hit that MANY slices that WELL. It was pretty effective, and he passed me several times (usually when I was following an approach shot to the net). I eventually won, but I think it was more of a matter of fitness than shot selection.
If you've got a good forehand slice, you can ride it to the bank.

[SageOfDeath]

the bounce on a slice shot is signifigantly lower if power is applied, therfore a harder to return ball.

That all depends on your opponent, I'd take a slice any day over a heavy topspin on my backhand side.

[Bobo Lat]

"Is it possible to hit offensively with forehand slice?"

Maybe it depends on the surface.

[timmyboy]

girls nowadays all use super topspin. i don't think i've met a girl who doesn't use topspin.

[Happyneige]

I played a guy who has FH slice as his default rally shot. AND IT DROVE ME INSANE! Now, I am a lefty with topspin FH and pride myself in the footwork and speed that I have. But the FH slice got me wrong-footed and I just couldn't hit the ball right! The morale is, if you could master the FH slice, do it! It will give topspinners fits.
:)

[Bungalo Bill]

I played a guy who has FH slice as his default rally shot. AND IT DROVE ME INSANE! Now, I am a lefty with topspin FH and pride myself in the footwork and speed that I have. But the FH slice got me wrong-footed and I just couldn't hit the ball right! The morale is, if you could master the FH slice, do it! It will give topspinners fits.
:)

I usually like a tad later contact point, but make sure you keep that elbow in as you swing through.

[Rickson]

My forehand slice has a lot of bite to it. I usually use it as an approach shot when I get it deep, but many times I don't even get a return because of the low bounce. Slice forehands aren't usually associated with winners, but you can certainly hit some winners with it if you execute it well.