Forehand slice - the most underrated shot in tennis?

[TheCheese]

Depends on the level of play. I could see how it could give lower level players fits.

[LeeD]

Depends how well you hit it too.
Hit like Connors, it would beat most 6.0's.
Hit like me, it loses to strong 3.5's.
OTOH, run wide, full speed, it's the best shot to recover with, low, hard sliced skidding ball that takes time to travel over the court, giving me time to stop, recover, and head back towards center of intersect.

[5263]

The main reason you don't see it much is that you have to pass up a TS Fh to
hit it
most of the time, and since the TS Fh is often a players best shot...
why not hit your best shot as often as you can? Yes, you can mix it up some
if you are getting a lot of looks on the Fh side, but most often your opponent is
going to try and work your Bh if your game is like the avg player.

If your TS Fh is not your best shot, likely your game sub par, but clearly not always
the case, like with Murray and DJ. Their overall level is so high it does not matter
much though. Even though their Bh may be better in ways, their TS Fh is still brutal
as well as versatile. Most club players Bh is only better because the TS Fh is weak
for some reason and makes the Bh look better incomparison.

It comes down to the fact that most players are not going to pass up many looks
on their bread and butter stroke, to hit a Fh slice.

[TimeToPlaySets]

Yea, but against a good player, you will very often have FH shots OUT of position. Under 4.0 will usually make an error on these shots. This is why a slice can become "the best offense is a good defense". Against a strong player, you might hit more FH slices b/c you're never in position to hit a clean topspin FH anyway.

Slice always beats an unforced error.

[5263]

Originally Posted by TimeToPlaySets

Yea, but against a good player, you will very often have FH shots OUT of position. Under 4.0 will usually make an error on these shots. This is why a slice can become "the best offense is a good defense". Against a strong player, you might hit more FH slices b/c you're never in position to hit a clean topspin FH anyway.

Slice always beats an unforced error.

Well sure, if you are overmatched like that you will be forced to go to the slice
more, but
Pros are never overmatched that much. I thought this was asking why you don't
see the Fh slice more in normal matches where each player is good enough
to work their game and actually have a game.
you said, "But you seldom see pros use it ", so that is what I commented on.

All bets are off for beginners looking
to build a game and strokes. You might see anything and yes, do see many Fh
slices in these type matches.

[TennisCJC]

OK, I agree with majority that FH slice is a niche shot and your basic rally ball and aggressive shot should be a topspin FH. This is high percentage tennis and is the goal.

But, there are always exceptions. I have played against and with a guy who won at 4.5 level with 90% of the FH being hit with slice. He did play mostly doubles. He also won 4.0 singles matches and won more than he lost when he was in his late 50s.

Don't forget Paul Annacone was in the top 20 (maybe 10?) and he hit a touch on slice on most of his FH. I saw him play McEnroe in an exhibition and he stood in and attacked everything with underspin off both sides. I would venture that Annacone would beat all the 5.0s on this board playing nothing but FH slice if he wanted too. McEnroe was another great example as he hit a high percentage of FH slice and could kill 5.0s and down.

[LeeD]

Paul would beat EVERY player on this forum currently, bar none. He's still at least a strong 5.5.

[Big_Dangerous]

Originally Posted by dominikk1985

it is a nice shot to have but on the pro level it is really rare in those days. the only one who uses it regularly is murray I think

Fed, hello!

[KenC]

It's true that when you could hit FH slice you could also hit a topspin FH. The thing is, why would someone only want to hit topspin FHs? 95% of the time they bounce right into the opponents preferred hitting zone and you do little to no damage with them. With topspin only you have to go for harder shots and push the angles more.

Slice in general is a great way to pull someone out of a rhythm. It is also a great way to not give them a ball that goes right into their preferred hitting zone. For example, a great use of FH and BH slice is to take off most of the pace and let the ball bounce twice before the service line. Against a baseliner, this is a great way to keep him from pummeling the ball and forcing him to come into the net where they are usually much less comfortable.

[TimeToPlaySets]

I have always noticed this. It seems like topspin HELPS your opponent when the ball lands midcourt at the service line. It helps to reach him, and he moves less. Topspin only seems useful if you're also driving the ball deep. Otherwise, a slice is a more offensive shot, ironically.

[floridatennisdude]

Originally Posted by TimeToPlaySets

I have always noticed this. It seems like topspin HELPS your opponent when the ball lands midcourt at the service line. It helps to reach him, and he moves less. Topspin only seems useful if you're also driving the ball deep. Otherwise, a slice is a more offensive shot, ironically.

Well, a slice that lands at the service line isn't exactly offensive either. Really, any shot that goes through the court is more offensive and any shot that brings the opponent inside the court is either defensive or a screw up. Aside from a well placed drop shot.

[5263]

Originally Posted by TimeToPlaySets

I have always noticed this. It seems like topspin HELPS your opponent when the ball lands midcourt at the service line. It helps to reach him, and he moves less. Topspin only seems useful if you're also driving the ball deep. Otherwise, a slice is a more offensive shot, ironically.

I love seeing players admit to the above mentality and you are right, that if you
can't hit good pace to the right spot, you might as well use the slice,
especially if you can skid your slice with modern technique.
In the practice for smarter targets thread, it is explained how if you can hit TS with
good pace, you can hit strongly away from your opponent with low risk, creating
very good pressure on them.

But yes, If you can't hit strong TS with pace to a good target...sure slice away!

[rkelley]

Originally Posted by 5263

The main reason you don't see it much is that you have to pass up a TS Fh to
hit it
most of the time, and since the TS Fh is often a players best shot...
why not hit your best shot as often as you can? Yes, you can mix it up some
if you are getting a lot of looks on the Fh side, but most often your opponent is
going to try and work your Bh if your game is like the avg player.

Totally agree.

Originally Posted by TennisCJC

Don't forget Paul Annacone was in the top 20 (maybe 10?) and he hit a touch on slice on most of his FH. I saw him play McEnroe in an exhibition and he stood in and attacked everything with underspin off both sides. I would venture that Annacone would beat all the 5.0s on this board playing nothing but FH slice if he wanted too. McEnroe was another great example as he hit a high percentage of FH slice and could kill 5.0s and down.

Annacone and Mac are very unique players. Annacone would and did come in on anything. His whole game was about getting to the net. He made Mac look like a baseliner. Both of those guys have great hands. They could both slice and dice me to death. However I don't play either of these guys very often.

For us normal folks, if you get a fh, pound it with ts. Make your opponent deal with pace and spin.

[Netspirit]

Originally Posted by floridatennisdude

Well, a slice that lands at the service line isn't exactly offensive either. Really, any shot that goes through the court is more offensive and any shot that brings the opponent inside the court is either defensive or a screw up. Aside from a well placed drop shot.

No, a short slice is more offensive than a short topspin shot as it creates more problems for the opponent, makes him scramble and leaves him out of balance.

[5263]

Originally Posted by Netspirit

No, a short slice is more offensive than a short topspin shot as it creates more problems for the opponent, makes him scramble and leaves him out of balance.

You really can't say either way as it is the direction and quality of shot that matters.
A short skidding slice can be brutal, but not as good as a power TS Fh that is angled off short near the svc line for a clean winner.

[LeeD]

Short skidded slice or heavy topspin, it bothers certain players and other players just eat it up.
Old school guys love short skidded slices, using them for their sliced approach shots.
Young hard topspin hitters don't like being bothered by short slices.
Old school guys hate heavy topspin high bouncers.
Young guns want that incoming ball so they can pummel another one.

[floridatennisdude]

Originally Posted by Netspirit

No, a short slice is more offensive than a short topspin shot as it creates more problems for the opponent, makes him scramble and leaves him out of balance.

First time I've ever heard a sitter referred to as offensive.

That's what a slice is that doesn't penetrate the court, it sits up.

[LeeD]

Unless it hits the service line, skidds up to about ankle heights, and goes sideways as well as forwards.
A strong slice, lower than 1.5' over the net, can do this.

[NTRPolice]

Originally Posted by LeeD

Unless it hits the service line, skidds up to about ankle heights, and goes sideways as well as forwards.
A strong slice, lower than 1.5' over the net, can do this.

That sounds like a failed dropshot attempt to me and would certainly be a "sitter" in most cases provided the person has seen the shot coming (high take back) and doesnt have mobility issues.

Even at my level, dropshots need to be pretty good to be winners and slices need to be pretty deep in the court and low bouncing.

Anytime a drop shot isnt stuck well its almost an automatic loss of point. That's the gamble with droppers. If your opponent gets to the ball they have a lot of open court from being so close to the net regardless of where you're standing in the court.

And, well, if you can count hitting the line as intentional, I guess that shot would be a nice offensive winner.

[5263]

See, you guys seem to only think in terms of classic slicing, which does tend to
sit up and needs to be deeper. Look at these modern skidding slice where
the motion is across the ball and 2/3 of them are within a foot or so of
the svc line....and if these guys can't attack them, who will?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab8mr...tailpage#t=30s