Slice or drop shot?

02-19-2004, 08:27 PM

I recently made attempts to utilize a slice backhand but it barely made it over the net, thus making it a drop shot. Though I do like to mix it up with drop shots I want to know what I'm doing wrong. Thanx Bungalow bill and Maboob Khan.

Eric Matuszewski · 02-19-2004, 08:40 PM

William, you not supplying enough drive to the ball. Use this excersise to feel the muscles you need to use more of.

Stand with your right side leaning against a wall or something immovable.

Back away about a foot from the wall (distance from right shoulder to the wall)

face the back of your right hand against the wall.

push on the wall with the back of your hand.

The muscles you are using here are the external rotators of the humerous (primarily the infraspinatus).

This muscle needs to contract more forcefully during your slice.
Also make sure not to open the racket face. The high to low path of the racket will give the ball the desired backspin, opening the face will cause a short drop shot, not the deep low slice your looking for.

02-20-2004, 07:00 AM

great stuff Eric!

Cypo · 02-20-2004, 07:49 AM

I'm probably being pedantic, but a dropshot is when you take the pace out of the ball by cradling it and ease it over the net so it just dies on the other side. A hard chopped (backhand) slice, will also land short, but it will bounce up again (likely back towards the net). It's a good shot too, but I'll bet even lower percentage than a dropshot.

It doesn't matter at all for the discussion of course.

dozu · 02-20-2004, 10:22 AM

the slice is hit just like a backhand volley, there is no intentional "chopping" to generate the underspin. Instead, because the racket impacts the ball with an open face, the underspin comes as a side-effect.

To have good consistency for who trying to develop this shot, keep the racket/forearm angle fixed (ala Federer, Stich), instead of letting it swive (ala Steffi).

I hit 90% of my backhand with the slice, it's a high efficiency shot, it covers wide angle well, and takes very little effort. In a neutral position, I can cover the backhand side of the court with just 1 step. It also gives lots of variety as an approach. When a short ball is available on the backhand side, I can either slice deep down the line/cross court, or drop shot to keep him honest... with essentially the same take-back.

It's a great tool.

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02-19-2004, 08:27 PM	#1
willman Posts: n/a	Slice or drop shot? I recently made attempts to utilize a slice backhand but it barely made it over the net, thus making it a drop shot. Though I do like to mix it up with drop shots I want to know what I'm doing wrong. Thanx Bungalow bill and Maboob Khan.

02-19-2004, 08:40 PM	#2
Eric Matuszewski Rookie Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 179	weak slice fix William, you not supplying enough drive to the ball. Use this excersise to feel the muscles you need to use more of. Stand with your right side leaning against a wall or something immovable. Back away about a foot from the wall (distance from right shoulder to the wall) face the back of your right hand against the wall. push on the wall with the back of your hand. The muscles you are using here are the external rotators of the humerous (primarily the infraspinatus). This muscle needs to contract more forcefully during your slice. Also make sure not to open the racket face. The high to low path of the racket will give the ball the desired backspin, opening the face will cause a short drop shot, not the deep low slice your looking for.

02-20-2004, 10:22 AM	#5
dozu Professional Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 923	like a backhand volley the slice is hit just like a backhand volley, there is no intentional "chopping" to generate the underspin. Instead, because the racket impacts the ball with an open face, the underspin comes as a side-effect. To have good consistency for who trying to develop this shot, keep the racket/forearm angle fixed (ala Federer, Stich), instead of letting it swive (ala Steffi). I hit 90% of my backhand with the slice, it's a high efficiency shot, it covers wide angle well, and takes very little effort. In a neutral position, I can cover the backhand side of the court with just 1 step. It also gives lots of variety as an approach. When a short ball is available on the backhand side, I can either slice deep down the line/cross court, or drop shot to keep him honest... with essentially the same take-back. It's a great tool.

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