1 handed BHers: How often do you slice?

[armand]

Please only vote if you hit exclusively a one handed backhand. Thanks

[dmastous]

Please only vote if you hit exclusively a one handed backhand. Thanks
I hit slices if the ball isn't in my wheel house, or at least close to it. High backhands, or lowballs at my feet or that I have to move towards the net.
Also, if I loose confidence in my topspin backhand I'll fall back on the slice (and vice versa).

[Happyneige]

I hit mostly backhand topspin. I feel I have better control and penetration on my topspin as opposed to the slice. Having said that, I use slice when the ball is out of my strike zone, i.e. the coming shot is also a low slice or a high bouncing topspin that I have no time to retreat and hit. I also throw in a slice when I play one dimensional players who stay behind the baseline hitting heavy topspin all day long. It usually gets them wrong footed.

[arky-tennis]

If I am having an okay day, more topspin, but normally I will slice more often than not... I like to make ppl bend their knees :)

[SageOfDeath]

I didn't vote because it depends, my backhand isn't consistant enough. If I get an easy ball at a height I like, I can hit a drive but otherwise I like to play it safe with a slice.

[VGP]

"90+% (I'm Steffi Graf)"

With her it was like 99% slice. Sometimes I think I'd have watched a match of hers that she wouldn't come over a backhand at all. But boy was her slice backhand a great shot. Some said it was a safe shot, and most of the time it was, but it was penetrating. And she sure could move it around.

I watched my tape of her winning the Roland Garros in '99 over Hingis. It was refreshing to watch her play. Her movement really was the best and it tops any of today's players. To see her use that slice was great. Too many players hit the compulsory two-handed backhand drives today. Too much grunting (screaming) on tour. No need to scream while working the slice. That would just seem really strange.

[goober]

I stopped watching pro tennis for a long time when Steffi was at her prime.

A couple questions

Did Steffi try to pass people at the net with her slice? Was she successful?

How did she handle deep looping shots to her backand.

[VGP]

Steffi did use the slice to pass. On occasion though, she would hit the topspin. Using the slice she's knife the ball either down the line or crosscourt. She was good at chipping it and getting it low to give her opponent a tough volley.

When a ball was coming high to her backhand, she usually stepped in and took the ball on the rise. Making contact about shoulder height.

[TnTBigman]

10-20%. I only slice when I'm out of position/reach for a full swing, or if I see an opportunity to try a drop shot from the base line.

[Rickson]

Not very often because the backhand drive has a lot more punch to it. I slice on some approaches although I approach on almost anything that lands deep and I definitely slice when I want to short ball, but not quite dropshot, my opponent when he stands too far back. The slice is nice, but it's definitely not the favorite backhand of most one handers I know.

[Mahboob Khan]

In my case it depends on two things:

-- demand of the situation;

-- My positioning/footwork/movement (if I have good time and space I hit topspin drive, if my positioning is poor I use slice).

I voted 50-50.

[akj27]

I love to slice, so I'd say 60-70

[Happyneige]

"90+% (I'm Steffi Graf)"

With her it was like 99% slice. Sometimes I think I'd have watched a match of hers that she wouldn't come over a backhand at all. But boy was her slice backhand a great shot. Some said it was a safe shot, and most of the time it was, but it was penetrating. And she sure could move it around.

I watched my tape of her winning the Roland Garros in '99 over Hingis. It was refreshing to watch her play. Her movement really was the best and it tops any of today's players. To see her use that slice was great. Too many players hit the compulsory two-handed backhand drives today. Too much grunting (screaming) on tour. No need to scream while working the slice. That would just seem really strange.


Gotta love that '99 RG final. I still watch it once in a while. In fact, I think Graf used topspin backhand in that one match more than she had in the prior 6 matches combined. She managed to get a few points off of backhand topspin winners too. :cool:

[snowpuppy]

I suck and my backhands suck with me. I usually try to slice on the service returns though since it is a more abreviated stroke (and because federer does it). I wish i can though.

[srv vlly]

i only slice when i chip and charge so its only 10-20 bec my slice is weak

[arky-tennis]

My slice is my bread and butter shot... It is my power house strangely enough.

[ffrpg]

I slice about 40% of the time. It's always good to change the pace of a rally. On high balls that I don't take early, I'm pretty much forced to slice it back.

[VGP]

The slice is greatly underused! Pace, pace, pace. Blah, blah, blah.

Don't let your opponent get grooved off the same shot over and over. Also, the added pace of a drive can be used against you.

Since switching to my Dunlop HM 200gs, I've been slicing even more. That racket really holds the ball.

With the slice, it's easier to handle the high ball and the low ball. I can shoot it down the line and the spin keeps it low. Crosscourt, I can hit deep to the corner or short to the service T. It's a great way to expoit a weak righty backhand. Also, on the crosscourt if you add some sidespin, it can slip even further away. Now that's a great shot!

[Queensryche]

Personally i hate slicing , i only do so when the ball lands deep or i'm out of posisiton.

Any shot of my opponent that lands within the service box or slightly beyond it , i will hammer the ball at it's apex.

I have better control of placement/depth with my toptpin backhand. For some reason , i have more confidence to rip ridiculous angles on the backhand wing with a topspin drive as opposed to my slice which i am unable to control the depth/agle as well as the former due to it's floating properties.


I use a light western 1HBH so naturally i tend to take the ball higher and its not very convenient to slice with that grip and requires a grip change.

[rafael]

I didn't vote because I slice when it is appropriate. Some matches are more (much more) than others. Usually only when its too high to hit a clean backhand or when I am hitting a drop shot or approach shot.

[armand]

...Also, on the crosscourt if you add some sidespin, it can slip even further away. Now that's a great shot!I don't understand. If you slice crosscourt for a righty, it would come back into the court. If you slice down the line, then it would hop further away from the opponent. That's the way my slice goes anyhow.

[thejackal]

I used to only slice back when I wasn't as good. Now I'm about 50-50, more when I'm playing on a faster surface like indoor carpet. I really like to mix in a slice when my opponent's at the net. It gives them a different look and works especially well against insecure volleyers.

[VGP]

If you slice down the line and kind of hit about 5 o'clock on the ball, you can get the ball spinning away from a righty's forehand.

If you slice crosscourt and kind of hit about 8 o'clock on the ball, you can get the ball spinning away from a righty's backhand.

[Da One]

I try to show variety on my backhand with the flat, topspin and slice shots. Not alot of topspin backhands though

[tpe11etier]

I did have a 2HB and hit a slice about 70% of the time. Now, I'm working on a 1HB and now I hit a slice 90% of the time. I've always hit it alot primarily because I play alot of doubles and IMHO it's much better to keep the ball low.

[santolg321]

I only hit slice when the ball is out of reach to hit a backhand topspin......

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Big flat sw forehand
1 handed backhand
flat powerful serve

[VGP]

I only hit slice when the ball is out of reach to hit a backhand topspin......

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Big flat sw forehand
1 handed backhand
flat powerful serve

I'd suggest some more variety on your backhand side.

[armand]

If you slice down the line and kind of hit about 5 o'clock on the ball, you can get the ball spinning away from a righty's forehand.

If you slice crosscourt and kind of hit about 8 o'clock on the ball, you can get the ball spinning away from a righty's backhand.Wow, I never thought of trying that, impressive. Of course, if there's time to hit the ball so precisely, I guess I rather use that opportunity to hit a more aggressive topspin bh. Hmm, but maybe on approaches...

(aside: 90%+ Steffi Graf. And for 10% or less, I shoulda put James Blake. Damn, he choked again! Poor guy.)

[Andres]

Around 30-40%, I guess. But it depends on the opponent, the surface, and many other factors. But my slice comes very naturally, and I like to slice a lot :D

[Kabob190]

I don't understand. If you slice crosscourt for a righty, it would come back into the court. If you slice down the line, then it would hop further away from the opponent. That's the way my slice goes anyhow.

ya but if you slice crosscourt and they get there when it bounced then it will come right at their body and they will shank the backhand, especially if your opponent has bad footwork.

im a two handed backhander so i didnt vote in the poll but i would say that i slice a lot more than an average two handed backhander. in rallies i like to use my two hander and just put topspin (particularly high to the opponents backhand side, they hate that) but when i dont feel like i can outlast someone in a rally i'll throw in some slices and if i hit it really well they will frame a ball and it will either go out or it will be an easy put a way. i also like to use the slice when the ball is low or when im out of position. i will also aproach with either two handed topspin or slice.

you can disregard what i said because im a two hander i just felt like sharing what i thought

[Exile]

My opponents can't handle my slice, especially the western users.

But, I use the slice to the point where even I'm upset to see another slice.

[JayxTheKoolest]

I slice about two thirds of the time. I find it to be more consistent and helps me approach the net, which I do frequently.

[35ft6]

80 to 90 percent. It's the foundation of my game. I love watching people self destruct under a barrage of my slice backhands.

[Caswell]

I didn't vote because I slice when it is appropriate. Some matches are more (much more) than others. Usually only when its too high to hit a clean backhand or when I am hitting a drop shot or approach shot.

Same here. Backhand return of serve is almost exclusively slice, as are most high balls and approach shots.

[Rickson]

I voted less than 10 many moons ago, but the number has gone up since then. I'd say it's moved up to about 1/3 of my backhands now because I hit a lot more bh dropshots for fun. I used to dropshot almost exclusively on the fh side, but that got predictable after a while. Slicing can be fun at times, but I still prefer the bh drive any day. I see some one handers slicing exclusively and I have to wonder how long and at what level they think they can get away with that.

[Captain America]

20-30% for me, mainly:

- stretched out wide
- approach shot
- defensive against big forehand or serve
- occasional rhthym disrupter

[AngeloDS]

50-60%, depends on who I play too. I slice on people I know who can't handle it so I slice everything. But in regular play -- I slice serve returns and slice if stretched wide or ball comes up high.

I like my backhand slice. Since it's what I started with when I first started playing 100% slice. So I have the slice down and disguise it well, but also disguise the depth of my slices too (short, long or dropshots).

[tennis_eel]

I'll only ever slice if I'm on the run. If I come to the net I don't even chip which I know is bad, I just try and put it in the opposite corner so I get a defensive shot.

[JayxTheKoolest]

80 to 90 percent. It's the foundation of my game. I love watching people self destruct under a barrage of my slice backhands.

This made me laugh, but I argee. People are not used to hitting low balls.

[wyutani]

i only use slicing whenever i net rush...

[MasterTS]

I find that most players with the 1hb that slice over 30% do it because they just suck at the 1hb topspin. Since I'm the masterTS, I slice about 10% of the time.

[Rickson]

I find that most players with the 1hb that slice over 30% do it because they just suck at the 1hb topspin. Since I'm the masterTS, I slice about 10% of the time.
But why do you flare out your left arm so much? You look like you're about to take a bow!

[JayxTheKoolest]

I find that most players with the 1hb that slice over 30% do it because they just suck at the 1hb topspin. Since I'm the masterTS, I slice about 10% of the time.

It depends on who I'm playing, but most of the time I'm playing high school varsity players who hit with heavy topspin that makes the balls kick up to about head level (and I'm medium height at 5' 10"). Thus, I use slice most of the time. If I were to step in the court to hit the ball on the rise, that would be a poor decision considering my opponent coudl simply hit the ball deeper, thus making the ball land at my feet. This is why I hit slice most of the time. Perhaps I used to playing better players than you are?

[Marat Safinator]

20-30, use it mostly when the ball is very low. If the ball is waist- chest height, 80% top spin, 10%flat 10% slice. If the ball is high 60% topspin, 40%slice id say.

[cghipp]

50-60%. I hit topspin when I have time to get prepared, and slice when I'm hurried or when it's high, although I am going for some more aggressive slice service returns lately.

[AngeloDS]

I find that most players with the 1hb that slice over 30% do it because they just suck at the 1hb topspin. Since I'm the masterTS, I slice about 10% of the time.
A slightly true satement, since a lot of people lack the motion/movement and coordination for the topspin.

The people I play can deal with low balls. So it isn't much of a weapon, as it is more of an asset :p.

The depth of the one handed slice backhand is deep. For me it sets up my forehand when placed, and it allows me the time to get back into position and a lot more.

I use the topspin one handed backhand if I'm not way out of position or hitting a passing shot. Backhand to backhand I go topspin backhands, slice just leaves them an easy down the line shot.

[ShooterMcMarco]

I'll make sure that when we play, I'll test your strategy Angelo :)

[MasterTS]

Reason a favor the topspin backhand a lot more now is because its become somewhat of a weapon now. Heavy spin and face. Love to unload on the backhand and then run in for an easy volley. Kinda reminds me of gasquet.. Now while my forehand is my bread and butter, with great consistency and directiononal control, the backhand is just devasterating!

You look at all the best backhands.. Its mostly 1 handers! Gasquet, Kuerten, Gaudio, Haas! No one slices that much past the 5.5s simply because players dont have that many issues with low balls.

[TacoBellBorderBowl1946]

bout 50%, more if my opponent has a tw-handed backhand.

[Jonny S&V]

My coach taught me that a slice with a little underspin is the basic 1-BH (Rosewall-esq) but since then I've added topspin so I slice 70-80% since I like to chip-charge.

[armand]

Hey, whatever happened to Rickson? Haven't seen him in ages.

[Voltron]

About 30%, oh, I use a 1HBH now, woot.

[equinox]

60-70%. Nearly always on return of serves. It really depends on how often i play and how confident i'm hitting my 1bh. I went through a stage of ripping dtl passing shots pass the net player and then i stopped playing for a month and kept hitting the ball late.

I find i'm a little lazy with preparation on deep balls and fail to bend my knees enough on low balls with the 1bh. So i slice it back, which is my dependable shot.

[ubel]

Nothing makes me happier than getting clean contact on a return of serve where my slice just cuts through the air and floats inches above the ground. Feels so good :)

Oh I hit about 10-20% slices. I pretty much always prefer to come over a ball, feels so much better and doing so more is the only way I can get better at it, so I keep doing it :) Generally I'll slice if I'm stretched out or notice my footwork is slipping a bit in quality.

[Polaris]

I chose 30-40%. I slice closer to 30% than to 40%, and the percentage is reducing until it will probably settle to 20%, if I can improve my topspin backhand enough.

It depends on the opponent though. I suck at returning high balls on the backhand side with topspin, so against an opponent that is feeding high balls with a western grip, I have no other option but to slice it back. Also, against someone who plays with a lot of power but doesn't move very fast, I like to slice and throw off the opponent's rhythm.

[ipodtennispro]

Please only vote if you hit exclusively a one handed backhand. Thanks


You can't vote on this because is depends on the opponent. If I know your opponent hates the net I slice all the time. When I play net rushers I can't risk letting them step in and take it early and approach the net.

Here is a recent clip of the winner of the boys 18's National Open in Hawaii. He sliced over 90% of the time because his opponent only came in on drop shots. If someone can't hurt you with the slice you should use it all the time.

It's a safe shot, very little energy used. However, you can get attacked on it by net rushers.

http://iws.punahou.edu/user/lcouillard/Boys_Finals.mov


www.ipodtennispros.com

[edberg505]

You can't vote on this because is depends on the opponent. If I know your opponent hates the net I slice all the time. When I play net rushers I can't risk letting them step in and take it early and approach the net.

Here is a recent clip of the winner of the boys 18's National Open in Hawaii. He sliced over 90% of the time because his opponent only came in on drop shots. If someone can't hurt you with the slice you should use it all the time.

It's a safe shot, very little energy used. However, you can get attacked on it by net rushers.

http://iws.punahou.edu/user/lcouillard/Boys_Finals.mov


www.ipodtennispros.com



This is quite true. It definitely depends on who you are playing. If my slice is causing the person problems, I will hit it all day long. I have no problem doing that at all. As for that video, that guy needs to go after his slice backhand. He's kinda popping it up. The rest of his game looks damn good though.

[thejackal]

i slice a lot less now. maybe 10% in practice. 30% in matches especially if im stretched out.

[dave333]

lol I have a 2bh and I can do a topspin 1bh! :P

Anyway, when I feel like doing 1bh's, I usually slice 40% of the time. At the high school level, mixing up shots works wonders. A fast flat or a loopy topspin followed with a floaty slice is very efficient.

[Baghdatis72]

30-40% of the times approximately and when I want to change the pace of the point and create an opportunity to hit a winner usually :D

[moxio]

About 25%. 55% flat, 20% topspin.

[obow]

Well less than 5%. I use the topspin, flat, block, push and flick, etc. on my 1hbh.

I only use the slice when I am overstreched, and the percentage of slice shots is about the same for both forehand and backhand.

I find that I could have better placement and depth from topspins than slices. Another reason for my low percentage is that my 10-year-old racquet is crapy for slices. Maybe if I get a new racquet, I would raise my % to 50!

[shojun25]

i only hit slices when i want to mix up the opponent's pace (although pace isn't common in high school jv tennis). So I voted 30-40%

[Hot Sauce]

I normally use a 2h bh, but I use a 1h for slice. So my % would be 100.

I don't really qualify though, do I?

[dennis10is]

I voted 50-50 on average if I count only match situation. It depends on my opponet but I find that in matches, my slice backhand is an offensive weapon so I use it as much as I can. I count slice as anything hit is some degree of underspin.

[master935]

The slice was the first thing that I learned. It's more natural, I acttually have troublewith my topspin BH. But I'm going to post a thread on that and see if anyone can help me.

[vkartikv]

If you go back to the first page and the first 2 posts, how did adely and armand get mixed up???

[killertubbie]

I slice a lot when I have no confidence in my backhand drive

[Amone]

I didn't vote, because I hit a two-hander. But I used to hit a one-hander... I find that I'm slicing around 60-70% of the time, oddly enough.

[MHobbit]

I don't regularly slice, but do when the time calls for it; namely, when I want to mix things up, when I'm stretched pretty thin, or when my opponent hates it. If I'm having a particularly bad day, I'd tend to slice more.