Help returning lefty slice serves and hitting low balls..

[ILoveChokers]

I am right handed and I have a clay one handed backhand, like sabatini or guga (I think it is called western) I only play on clay BTW.

I have problems hitting low slice balls in rallies and returning the lefty slice serve of this guy with my one handed backhand, I try to hit it with topspin but usually I net the ball or mishit, maybe I should hit with a shorter swing?
I can slice it back, but I would like to hit the return, to do somethign more than slicing the return back.

could someone help me with this?

[Bungalo Bill]

Well for starters the player your playing is attacking your grip which is a smart move on their part.

The weakness of your grip is low balls. You have to get real low and almost lean back a little so the racquet face has a chance to be more open instead of closed on contact. however, that could introduce other problems.

Since the extreme grip likes higher balls (chest area), low balls are going to be a big problem. My opinion, is to not try to take that low ball with an extreme grip. Either learn a more forgiving grip to hit your topspin if you want or slice it back. Nothing wrong with slicing back since all your trying to do is get the point started.

Think of it this way, if your opponent is smart enough to attack your grip and the weakness of your grip is low balls, you need to be smart too. You need to neutralize that attack to your weakness by defending your weakness. Not trying to do more then you should with something that really isn't there. Neutralizing an aggressive move (especially on the serve) can play havoc on your opponents game - it means you have an answer to what he is trying to do.

If you keep trying to hit a low ball with an extreme grip with topspin and authority, your doing exactly what he wants you to do. Your opponent knows that you will lose more points trying to hit it with topspin then win. Most important, you will lose points without giving yourself a chance to play the point. So you give him easy games.

Most of service returns especially on the first serve is the opposite of the second serve. You do less with the ball and look to neutralize instead of attacking.

[drakulie]

Agree with Bungalo Bill. Also, make sure you bend your legs and stay low throughout the shot, and stepping into the court to take away the angle will also help you.

In addition, try showing your opponent different looks. On the Ad side stand in the doubles alley so he could see you there, and maybe he will start trying to hit the serve up the T. I have found this always helps against a good lefty. It begins throwing their confidence off when they try and start hitting bombs up the T, and they can't do it consitently. They soon forget to try and hit that wide slice serve, and for whatever reason continue trying to ace you up the middle. Of course this does not always work , so you have to mix it up.

Good luck.

[jun]

Pretty much agree with everything above. Even for eastern backhand grip, low skidding slices are hard to handle. So for western backhand grip, it's...........close to nightmares.

You will really have to bend your knees, stay low throughout the shots. Don't go for too much, go cross court, and get it deep.

Or you can just slice it back..