Why is slice much more often used with backhand?

[New Daddy]

Why is slice much more often used with backhand? I see pros slice rarely with forehand.

[Koaske]

Imagine that you have a 90 mph forehand. Would you still hit slice instead of your very hard forehand meaning your opponent would have more time to reach it, set up for his shot and really whack the ball? Pros have generally so big forehands that there's just no point in hitting fh slice. Backhand is the weaker shot for many pros and backhand can't be hit as hard as forehand.

[Vims]

kinda what he sed most players hit hard on both sides but the forehand is more damagin and more can be done with it. It is also more complex so there is no eed to add an extra shot into it unless ur santoro

[x Southpaw x]

Originally Posted by New Daddy

Why is slice much more often used with backhand? I see pros slice rarely with forehand.

I'm wondering the same question... even a pro like fabrice santoro who slice a lot on both sides prefers to switch hands and do a backhand slice with his offhand than hit a forehand slice.

I myself have much less consistency executing the forehand slice as well compared to backhand, is it body mechanics?

[WhiteSox05CA]

It's more natural a stroke if you ask me. It's also easier to hit defensive topspin shots from the forehand side, than backhand- and you have more reach on the forehand.

[krz]

I hit with a 1 handed backhand if I don't prepare well, I'll just slice the ball back. Since being late on a 1hander = wide(left) or just a horribly weak shot.

The forehand has much more margin for poor preparation, and hitting late. I've hit forehands like a foot behind me.

Although I'll use a eastern forehand slice if someone hits an extremely wide angle.

[A.Davidson]

Bobby Riggs used to hit forehand slice, often as a drop shot. However, I believe that with the expansion of gear into the new frames and strings, unless you keep your slice very low, it'll get pounded back at around 100 mph, so many pro's aren't huge fans of it.

[heycal]

I don't what some people are talking about above... The answer to this is pretty simple, even to non-pros like myself:

Body mechanics. It's much easier and more natural to execute a slicing motion with the backhand than the forehand. Even in non-tennis situations, whenever you slice something -- like shaving cheese or cutting roast beef -- your are essentially using a backhand motion, and doing so because it's more natural.

[madmanfool]

yup, it's a more natural shot;

[Bagumbawalla]

I am going with WhiteSox05ca and Heycal on this one. It is a bio-mechanical thing.

[Lloyd Barcenilla]

hahaha, santorro

[sapient007]

slice is a safer shot on the BH as well the FH. it allows for more height adjustment as you swing through so you don't have to be in your comfort hitting zone to get a decent slice in.

not to mention the slice take back is not as important compared to the FH and BH.

[Mountain Ghost]

It’s mostly about how much time is required for positioning and preparation. While a slice backhand can be used as a “neutral” shot, it is not a weapon of choice at the professional level, and is often used when there is no time to position or prepare for a topspin backhand.

During the backswing for a topspin forehand, the racquet naturally goes back with your dominant shoulder as you rotate your shoulders, and there is almost always enough time for a full (or at least an adequate) backswing. If you are pressed, you can even get by with very little shoulder rotation at all, and the racquet head can still get back.

During the backswing for a topspin backhand, the racquet has to go all the way across your body to get back. If there’s not enough time, a slice is the one backhand option that doesn’t require a full backswing, near-perfect positioning or optimal shoulder rotation.

MG

[kingdaddy41788]

It's easier to do just about everything on your forehand side. Easier to set up, time, etc. a top spin shot. It's also easier to hit a backhand slice, imo.

[krz]

Originally Posted by Mountain Ghost

During the backswing for a topspin forehand, the racquet naturally goes back with your dominant shoulder as you rotate your shoulders, and there is almost always enough time for a full (or at least an adequate) backswing. If you are pressed, you can even get by with very little shoulder rotation at all, and the racquet head can still get back.

During the backswing for a topspin backhand, the racquet has to go all the way across your body to get back. If there’s not enough time, a slice is the one backhand option that doesn’t require a full backswing, near-perfect positioning or optimal shoulder rotation.

MG

Thats what I was getting at, just more in depth. Its not that its more natural if that was the case why do some people have better backhands than forehands.

[heycal]

Originally Posted by krz

Thats what I was getting at, just more in depth. Its not that its more natural if that was the case why do some people have better backhands than forehands.

No, it's not about time to set up, or topspin backswings, or that some people are stronger on one side or another, etc. It's about simple body mechanics.

Given all the time in the world and perfect conditions, it should always be easier to slice a backhand than forehand because it's a more natural motion.

[lethalfang]

Originally Posted by heycal

I don't what some people are talking about above... The answer to this is pretty simple, even to non-pros like myself:

Body mechanics. It's much easier and more natural to execute a slicing motion with the backhand than the forehand. Even in non-tennis situations, whenever you slice something -- like shaving cheese or cutting roast beef -- your are essentially using a backhand motion, and doing so because it's more natural.

Or throwing a frisbee.

[krz]

Originally Posted by heycal

I don't what some people are talking about above... The answer to this is pretty simple, even to non-pros like myself:

Body mechanics. It's much easier and more natural to execute a slicing motion with the backhand than the forehand. Even in non-tennis situations, whenever you slice something -- like shaving cheese or cutting roast beef -- your are essentially using a backhand motion, and doing so because it's more natural.

cutting things can be applied to either a forehand slice or a backhand slice, shaving cheese same thing. The knife is straight up and down, and you're chopping straight up and down. If you look to your right when chopping its a backhand slice if you look to your left its a forehand slice.

And actually when chefs cut on a bias they always cut with the face open like a forehand slice(yes, i watch to much food channel)

and if you notice the forehand slice is usually only used as a last resort because the player cannot get to the ball and cannot get a swing in so they just slice at it because it does not require a full swing.

[Swissv2]

You slice with your backhand easier because the arm has unrestricted movement across the body and the palm of the hand is naturally facing down.

I would have to disagree with Mountain Ghost in saying that

it is not a weapon of choice at the professional level, and is often used when there is no time to position or prepare for a topspin backhand.

because slices can be used offensively on an approach forcing an opponent to pop the ball up a bit to clear the net (because the ball bounces low) allowing for an easy volley. There are other uses for an offensive slice, as the ball skids off the ground lower.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by heycal

I don't what some people are talking about above... The answer to this is pretty simple, even to non-pros like myself:

Body mechanics. It's much easier and more natural to execute a slicing motion with the backhand than the forehand. Even in non-tennis situations, whenever you slice something -- like shaving cheese or cutting roast beef -- your are essentially using a backhand motion, and doing so because it's more natural.

I don't know about that. Both the backhand and forehand slice feel just as natural to me and I can execute both just as easily, and I do hit both often.