1HBH/2HBH vs. BH Slice?
- Thread starter derickyan
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Topspin Shot
Legend
It isn't bad to hit a lot of slices or even to have slice as your default rally shot (although this is uncommon and less than ideal), but you still need a respectable topspin backhand for passing shots and some variety.
Topspin Shot
Legend
Do you really think OP will reach the 6.0 level? And there are pros eg Roddick who slice most if not nearly all backhands.
The biggest con is that you have almost no chance against a good player who can come to net. Doubles returns are also a challenge as the opponents can cheat heavily as well.
This was the biggest mistake I made when I was young. It helped me to win some matches then but it made me non-competitive at higher levels. It is even hurting me when I am older since I am not quick enough to run around it like I used to.
This was the biggest mistake I made when I was young. It helped me to win some matches then but it made me non-competitive at higher levels. It is even hurting me when I am older since I am not quick enough to run around it like I used to.
OTMPut
Hall of Fame
I have never seen Steffi Graf hit a topspin backhand in match play. She always sliced. May be she hit one or two when i was not watching.
Stosur? Santoro?
Ignore the stereotype. Just think for yourself. A reliable, consistent backhand slice can be sufficient at decent levels. Just work on consistency and variety and build other parts of game taking that into account. For example you may want to work on i/o forehand a lot more.
Shroud
Talk Tennis Guru
I/o forehands worked for Steffi. She had a monster FH and was quick.
I also recall Nick Bolleteri saying of Couriers backhand, that he saw it and told Courier to hit more forehands.
Graf learned a topspin backhand at the later point of her career, and although I don't watch tennis too often a quick youtube search showed both Stosur and Santoro hitting topspin backhands.
fuzz nation
G.O.A.T.
One of our highest priorities when developing our tennis skills is to build consistency. If you have that with your slice backhand, that's a very good thing. While you may not be able to make as much pressure as you want against some stronger opponents with that shot, you may become especially good at neutralizing them with it. That's half the battle right there. Plus, if you like to rush the net, the slice is a great choice to use for your approach shot.
Interesting - I always had a good slice backhand, having played a lot on grass courts as a kid. Later on when I wanted to hit a stronger topspin backhand, I sought some help from a teaching pro and asked for help with learning a two-hander. He had already seen my slice, including my footwork, and we instead went to work on a one-hander because his trained eye spotted my potential to produce it. The results were fantastic for me and I think that the slice being part of my foundation paved the way for my success with the topspin one-hander.
Something you should take comfort in is that everyone should learn a slice backhand regardless of what sort of topspin backhand they might (or might not) build. While many (including myself) consider this shot to be a fundamental, it's too often neglected in too many circles, sometimes until much later on, but sometimes it's completely overlooked.
Also, against doubles opponents and net-rushers in a singles setting, a good low slice can easily be the most neutralizing shot in that setting. When shrewd net-rushers approach well, they often leave little option for a passing shot, but a slice can deny them much of any advantage. Hit a low slice that forces an opponent to hit up, and you get to go on the offensive and maybe harvest the point.
When you're especially comfortable with a backhand slice, you can also hit it with significant disguise. That can keep opponents more off balance and even allow for an occasional winner, depending on the situation. Bottom line - it's a very practical shot that is too often neglected or overlooked.
Hone your slice now and keep your "classroom" open. Eventually you may find your stronger aptitude for either a one or two-handed topspin backhand, but who knows, right? Time will tell - keep up the good work!!!
D
DefensiveTennis
Guest
Edit. Very few players will reach 6.0 but who are we to know how good the OP can be?
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loosegroove
Hall of Fame
A good backhand slice is fine as your primary backhand; just ask Steffi Graf. However, I get the feeling that OP probably isn't hitting a great slice, but more likely chip backhands. I say this, because most players I know that don't have the skills to hit a topspin backhand (2h or 1h), rely on a pretty junky slice.
So by all means, use primarily slice if that's what comes naturally to you. But like any shot, make sure you're not limiting yourself by using bad form. And even if you primarily use slice, you should practice a flat/topspin backhand, because sometimes it's simply the best shot.
So by all means, use primarily slice if that's what comes naturally to you. But like any shot, make sure you're not limiting yourself by using bad form. And even if you primarily use slice, you should practice a flat/topspin backhand, because sometimes it's simply the best shot.
Vary your slices.
You can hit your normal slice, one that is slower but higher over the net, then have one where you switch grip to EBackhand and really drive the slice with a fast swing, aim it 2' above the netcord, so it lands near the baseline for a speed approaching normal topspin speeds.
And, because you're basically using the same grip, one low CC short angle slice that lands around the service line, but CC and near the sidelines.
You can hit your normal slice, one that is slower but higher over the net, then have one where you switch grip to EBackhand and really drive the slice with a fast swing, aim it 2' above the netcord, so it lands near the baseline for a speed approaching normal topspin speeds.
And, because you're basically using the same grip, one low CC short angle slice that lands around the service line, but CC and near the sidelines.
martini1
Hall of Fame
I play somebody with nothing but bh slices. It's so easy to approach him on the bh side as you can't really lob with a slice. He could chop it up with underspin that can be smashed or attack on the rise.
People with heavy ts bh can easily hit a ts ball that crosses the net at 6' or so. Too low to smash well, and bounces high to drive ppl back.
People with heavy ts bh can easily hit a ts ball that crosses the net at 6' or so. Too low to smash well, and bounces high to drive ppl back.
dominikk1985
Legend
stosur often hits a topspin BH. even santoro would use it maybe 20% of the time, especially for passing shots.
I have seen graf hit topspins too but almost exclusively as passing shots.
dominikk1985
Legend
roddick rarely sliced.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WktXRJdqhkU
he could reached 6.0 but only with a 6.0 serve, 6.0 FH and 6.0 footwork. that will be the bigger obstacle than his BH
.
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jasonmcmann
Banned
Ken Rosewall was the only one who never hit over the ball for his entire career.
The recent/current slicers - Graf, Niculescu, Vinci, Santoro.... they all pass with topspin.. it's a no brainer.
For recreational, slice-only is fine... Good (4.5 and above) players will figure out this weakness and approach to your BH.
So you really need some type of topspin shot from the BH side.. The good news about passing shot is that you don't need much depth control. The point is yours if you can dink it short cross court with a little top spin.
The recent/current slicers - Graf, Niculescu, Vinci, Santoro.... they all pass with topspin.. it's a no brainer.
For recreational, slice-only is fine... Good (4.5 and above) players will figure out this weakness and approach to your BH.
So you really need some type of topspin shot from the BH side.. The good news about passing shot is that you don't need much depth control. The point is yours if you can dink it short cross court with a little top spin.
D
DefensiveTennis
Guest
Slice only is like serve and volley, it is not optimal play in modern tennis.
So if you want to slice you gotta have a world class slice to compete at higher levels.
A topspin shot is a better shot than a slice shot in modern tennis.
So if you want to slice you gotta have a world class slice to compete at higher levels.
A topspin shot is a better shot than a slice shot in modern tennis.
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GoudX
Professional
Explain Federer, Murray, Djokovic and Nadal regularly using the slice backhand if it is not 'optimal' play. Without a doubt the slice forehand is outdated, but the slice backhand takes advantage of the relative weakness of the very common 2hbh on low shots (which is why Fed struggles against Nadal who doesn't have a 2hbh on the left hand side of the court), plus it can be used to exploit an opponent with poor backwards/forwards movement - which is much harder with topspin as a short topspin shot which isn't perfectly placed is a sitter. Finally a floating slice is one of the most effective ways of keeping the ball deep whilst buying you time to recover if you are caught wide.
D
DefensiveTennis
Guest
I meant slice only, as the op I thought was asking if its ok to slice nearly all of your shots.
You are right backhand slice is a terrific shot for defence and occasionally offence.
D
DefensiveTennis
Guest
Slicing is so bad in doubles as your opponent at net has so much time to cross and pick off your slow slice.
Topspin Shot
Legend
Actually, it's a great shot if you can get it by the net person. The ball will stay low off the bounce and force the opponents to hit up.
I unfortunately have an exclusive slice backhand and am currently rated 5.0 at 40 something although probably don't deserve it. When I was younger I was a real 5.0 and was probably closer to the 5.5 level if that actually exists. I was borderline to play on my D1 school and could have probably played for most of the weaker schools.
It is possible to compensate for a slice backhand although is not optimal. It is attacked at pretty much every level. I got away with it at 4.5 and even against many 5.0 players. It is a serious issue against top open players though. They have the control to pin you to the back corner and wait for a weak shot.
The biggest issue with a slice is that it requires good timing to hit an effective shot. Any small mistake in your stroke, and the ball is popped up. Top players have the ability to see that hitch in your stroke and punish you by getting in better position to put the ball away.
It is possible to compensate for a slice backhand although is not optimal. It is attacked at pretty much every level. I got away with it at 4.5 and even against many 5.0 players. It is a serious issue against top open players though. They have the control to pin you to the back corner and wait for a weak shot.
The biggest issue with a slice is that it requires good timing to hit an effective shot. Any small mistake in your stroke, and the ball is popped up. Top players have the ability to see that hitch in your stroke and punish you by getting in better position to put the ball away.
dominikk1985
Legend
D
DefensiveTennis
Guest
Yes, it is. I should have really said hitting returns as a slice backhand is bad.
maggmaster
Hall of Fame
My coach when I was a junior taught only slice, heavily attacking tennis. I recently developed a top spin backhand and I have to admit, the game is easier particularly against the 4.5, 5.0 guys that I play.
Since most of us will never be a solid 5.5 level player, or Div1 singles level, a slice is JUST FINE up to our highest level of opponents.
With a slice, you have better height control of the ball, so you can consistenty hit low returns. With topspin, most players pop some returns up around shoulder heights to the netperson, and those get put away just as well as shoulder high slices.
With slice, you do lose the low dipping ball, countered by the fact a hard slice is hard even for a 5.0 player to consistently low volley, and a slice backhand has more consistent deep lobs than any backhand using topspin. Yes, a backhand topspin lob can be a clean winner, but that works about ...never, in crunch time.
With slice, you can go DTL easily, as it's your defacto shot you used in singles, and short CC with a skid is easy to hit, against western grippers.
Only at the very top levels of play is a topspin backhand NEEDED, and lots of top players like Haas and Fed would rather run around their backhands than consistently hit topspin backhands.
With a slice, you have better height control of the ball, so you can consistenty hit low returns. With topspin, most players pop some returns up around shoulder heights to the netperson, and those get put away just as well as shoulder high slices.
With slice, you do lose the low dipping ball, countered by the fact a hard slice is hard even for a 5.0 player to consistently low volley, and a slice backhand has more consistent deep lobs than any backhand using topspin. Yes, a backhand topspin lob can be a clean winner, but that works about ...never, in crunch time.
With slice, you can go DTL easily, as it's your defacto shot you used in singles, and short CC with a skid is easy to hit, against western grippers.
Only at the very top levels of play is a topspin backhand NEEDED, and lots of top players like Haas and Fed would rather run around their backhands than consistently hit topspin backhands.
Oh, WHY slice?
With a slice groundie, you can bounce the ball about lower thigh high, and hit deep. Using your forehand topspin, you can bounce the ball about shoulder high to your opponent.
With a slice groundie, you can hit low short, skid the ball to bounce shin heights.
Now, couple this with a flat serve at waist high, a top/slice at upper chest heights, and a twist around chin to forehead heights, and you have an opponent who needs to contantly adjust his strikezone.
I haven't mastered the pure slice serves, which can bounce around mid thigh heights.
With a slice groundie, you can bounce the ball about lower thigh high, and hit deep. Using your forehand topspin, you can bounce the ball about shoulder high to your opponent.
With a slice groundie, you can hit low short, skid the ball to bounce shin heights.
Now, couple this with a flat serve at waist high, a top/slice at upper chest heights, and a twist around chin to forehead heights, and you have an opponent who needs to contantly adjust his strikezone.
I haven't mastered the pure slice serves, which can bounce around mid thigh heights.
Love the Slice. Takes less energy, and can drive your opponent mad. Especially if he's having trouble with low balls (often western grippers as LeeD already pointed out). The DTL approach which almost doesn't come up is a specialty shot of mine, most of the time i don't even have to volley and when I get one it's just a putaway. And, since this post is in LeeD mode anyway, I do hit my fair share of winners by just slicing sharp dtl or cc. That doesn't mean I never rip it hard with ts now and then. You just gotta know when to pull it off. Plus, don't forget the short bh angled dink shot which can be very effective from mid court, especially in doubles.
