The Rosewall Skidder?

[hoodjem]

Thanks everyone.

[NadalDramaQueen]

Hello Hoodjem, I have been slowly trying to change my backhand slice to be more like Rosewall's (and more old school in general) and it has been paying off. I used to have more of a chop (similar to Federer's) and I sometimes revert to that during a match, but that is another story.

I have a lot of success with my new slice especially when returning kick serves and handling good approach shots to my one handed backhand. I usually am not able to pass someone with my slice cleanly, but I am at least making them hit a tough volley.

[hoodjem]

Originally Posted by NadalDramaQueen

Hello Hoodjem, I have been slowly trying to change my backhand slice to be more like Rosewall's (and more old school in general) and it has been paying off. I used to have more of a chop (similar to Federer's) and I sometimes revert to that during a match, but that is another story.

I have a lot of success with my new slice especially when returning kick serves and handling good approach shots to my one handed backhand. I usually am not able to pass someone with my slice cleanly, but I am at least making them hit a tough volley.

NDQ,

I, too, have a 1HBH. What's the secret of your "new slice"?

Thanks.

[NadalDramaQueen]

Originally Posted by hoodjem

NDQ,

I, too, have a 1HBH. What's the secret of your "new slice"?

Thanks.

I'm not sure if there is a secret. I have actually been working with a local instructor with a focus on changing my backhand specifically. When I began to use more modern grips I also changed my drive backhand grip to be very extreme in order to handle heavy topspin balls, but I am punished by lower balls and excessive pace to that side. That is why I wanted to have a more attacking slice in the bag.

I try to drive through it more with a Rosewall like finish (the finish on my old slice was much different than this). I still tend to hit it too far out in front and I have to concentrate on moving into it with my body in order to correct this. Usually, if I am able to position myself correctly then I am able to hit slices with more penetration than my old chop. I'm sorry that I can't be more helpful.

[Frank Silbermann]

When I first started playing tennis in 1973, I bought a copy of "World Tennis" magazine. They had an instructional article on how to add more power to your game. On the forehand side, the recommended trying to put some topspin on the ball to help bring down hard-hit balls before they would fly long. (They said there were three ways to do this: (1) wrist flick, (2) pull up with the elbow, and (3) a gradually rising swing from the shoulder. The recommended (3) for most readers.)

On the backhand side, they pointed out that heavy under-spin had the opposite effect, helping hard-hit balls float long. So they recommended that readers try to use less under-spin on their backhands when hitting with power.

[LeeD]

Guess WorldTennis got it wrong, as most publications do.
To hit the low skidded slice, you have to take it LATE, almost beside your body, using a weirdo almost forehandy grip (continental, like your serve, wiht a tiny twist towards eFOREHAND. You step into the ball, lean forwards towards the target, slice the ball aggressively clearing the net by no more than 2', closer is better, the ball goes deep into NML and skidds about lower shin heights, dropping quickly from there with almost no spin, or some sidespin only after the skidded bounce.
Takes an aggressive hitting mindset. This on painted cement courts.

[slowfox]

^^ That's a good description of what a slice should do. Funny how on the public courts all I ever see are high-arc, floating slices. Was watching the *fixtures* at my local courts today - these guys who are always there and supposedly the "best" - and all they do is loop these floating slices back and forth.

[freeez]

Seems like LeeD is on the money.
i've noticed my slices float when i'm on the run, not in position, or I just need time. To get the hard driving skidding slice I'm setup and focused on on making this particular shot. You really need to be aggressive(eventhough generally a defensiveshot).

[BruceG]

Originally Posted by powerslave

Well the only way you can get close to hitting a shot like Rosewall's skidder is to play on grass courts of the type prepared in those days, remember all old players alluding to how the grass courts in those days had this horrible inconsistent bounce ? Also the balls were smaller and bounced relatively lesser in those days (the old white ones). Then you have the rackets too, a modern racket with a large headsize and strung with poly will bite the ball so the slice will have a lot of underspin than what is needed for a shot that skids off the court, for latter you need to hit the ball flatter with just a hint of underspin and not the modern slice which tends to have a lot of under/side spin.

That's not true in the slightest; none of it. Back in the day the players always complained about the grass at the US Open; used to say it wasn't fit for cows. But Wimbledon was always said to be pristine and the Aussie Open was a quality surface but with more bounce when it baked in the summer heat.

Seriously dude, I got to watch Rosewall play vets tennis alongside Stan Smith, Bob Lutz, Marty Riessen, Newcombe and Tony Roche and he could hit every type of shot off his backhand. He could hit it flat, with dirty slice, fade it away inside-out or roll it with some top. And he did that on hard courts, not grass. He also did it with an oversize Head graphite racquet. It's called talent and it trumps the racquets, balls, surface and generation.

[OHBH]

I have a very good bh slice for my level and find that to hit the skidder I need to make contact closer to my body while still swinging aggressively. But the timing is quite a bit more difficult so it is a better percentage play to just rip a topspin bh. Unless of course your opponent particularly dislikes low balls, then its time to drive him nuts with the slice.

[LeeD]

Bingo!
Closer to the body, more to the side than in front, weak grip, strong aggressive swing, firm stance, leaning forwards slightly.
It's used mainly against western grip topspinners, or guys who don't like a shin high ball, which can be anybody.
Usually, in practice, it's hit for about 10 minutes straight, without a topspin or conventional slice to throw form into disarray. After than, you can practice your topspin backhands and wide defensive backhands. Of course, this is the stuff of practice partner level tennis. YOU help him, he helps you, to get better and better.

[Rozroz]

this reminds me of someone here a year a go or something linking to a youtube video of Billie Jean King with this slo-mo slice.. can anyone find it? couldn't find it
i've tried it since and it upgraded my low drive slice.

found it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIvxP...6DAEE72DA98B78

[chrischris]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnz4_3zobgo there he is skidding and hitting a skidder too.

[Rozroz]

Originally Posted by chrischris

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnz4_3zobgo there he is skidding and hitting a skidder too.

it was a nice motion but the ball wasn't that skiddier..

[chrischris]

Originally Posted by Rozroz

it was a nice motion but the ball wasn't that skiddier..

Are you skidding me? .... lol.

here you go , a whole bunch of them in this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJubu...eature=related

my personal favorite is at approx. 06.22

[Rozroz]

Originally Posted by chrischris

Are you skidding me? .... lol.

here you go , a whole bunch of them in this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJubu...eature=related

my personal favorite is at approx. 06.22

you mean the DTL slice winner?
it was ok, yea. not with much drive though.

anyway it was mainly the crappy grass

[Rozroz]

ooooh, this is a nice one.
one or two slo-mo slices there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aUnSCp64S0

[hoodjem]

Originally Posted by FiveO

Here's a gif of Rosewall's driven slice:

5

It appears that Rosewall scoops under the ball more than chops down across the back (as I do).