Beating the chop shot/ slicer

[Dartagnan64]

My wife played her first tournament this weekend and got beat 0-0 against a consistent woman who only hit spinning low slices off both wings. This so flustered my wife she got very conservative and just hit back down the middle and quit moving her feet. After the match she stated she'd never seen balls like that. Admittedly in her leagues, women mostly hit flat or moonballs. When I work with her she faces mostly topspin, although I will slice off my BH rarely.
I'm definitely not skilled enough at this chop shot style to emulate it for my wife. Just wondering how I can teach her to deal with this type of player? My thoughts were to a) focus on bending the knees to stay low, b) trying to get to the net as these slices did not seem to be great passing shots, c) better attention to the spin so you know which way a ball will bounce.

I'm also going to check if I can set the ball machine at the club to send low slice shots. Then I can give her a similar shot to get used to.

 

[Don't Let It Bounce]

The classic response to a slicer-dicer is to take possession of the net: as you note, topspin is a necessary element to a passing shot. (It dips below the net on a good PS, making the volley more challenging, while underspin tends to float.) The bad news is that you have to develop a net game, but the good news is that doing so is a straightforward process.

(2) If stranded at the baseline, you need to be able to respond to unexpected/unfamiliar ball movements, which means maximizing dynamic balance. You have noted this, too: balance is enhanced by getting lower at contact and keeping the feet active.

(3) For stroke production, it simplifies things if you have the option of responding to underspin with underspin, rather than with the usual FH and BH that are grooved to respond to a different bounce. There's good news here, too: it's not a hard shot to develop.

Sounds like you are on the right track, and I bet you'll have fun working the problem. Good luck!

 

[1990's Graphite]

 

[Dartagnan64]

Thanks. Those are some great tips. I think a moonballs and sneak strategy would be something to work on. My wife is a good doubles player with solid net skills. Getting to the net is something we'll work on. And the constant, "get low" reminder.
Funny, I have to remind her to bend her knees in golf and hockey too. It's just being lazy with your legs when you are fatigued. But only good things come from keeping those knees bent.

 

[GrassCourtFan]

My opinion - strategy helps, but practice is better.

If she's being beaten 0-0, it means she's just having trouble with the opponent's routine shots. It's extremely difficult to make a strategic change that can make up for the fact that in a neutral rally, you simply can't handle the other person's safe shots - you'll spend the entire match out of your comfort zone, and that's a very tough position to win from. And to add to that - volleying a chop shot is ALSO different than volleying a flat/topspin shot. If she's having trouble hitting groundstrokes off of chop shots, it's quite possible she'll also have trouble volleying chop shots, for the exact same reason, lack of practice dealing with that kind of spin.

If you can, try to find someone - a friend, teammate, or pro, or someone - who can hit some underspin shots for practice for her for a bit. During that practice, work on being able to get down low to it and be able to place the shot, not just push it down the middle. Likewise, practice volleying off of that shot, working on being able to hit a solid volley off of it.

After you get the basics - being able to control your own shots when facing that type of shot - then the strategic advice given earlier (getting to the net) is great. But you have to actually be able to execute the shots.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

My wife played her first tournament this weekend and got beat 0-0 against a consistent woman who only hit spinning low slices off both wings. This so flustered my wife she got very conservative and just hit back down the middle and quit moving her feet.

BTW: her getting flustered could have also been due to the fact this was her first tournament and not just her opponent's style.

So did your wife do what typically happens against slicers: hit most of her shots into the net? That's what happened to me the first time I encountered a slicer ["hey, is that LEGAL??"]. This is because I failed to adjust for the fact that the ball was going to skid and not bounce up as high so I was always catching it late and with a too-closed of a racquet face.

Might I suggest the following for your wife:

- Concentrate on bending her knees more than normal; get under the ball [make sure it doesn't get under her]. Murray does this very well.

- Start with maybe a 50% swing, just to make sure the ball is going over the net. Once she gets comfortable, turn up the heat.

- Develop her own slice.

- Practice against low shots, not just slice [although, IMO, slices are the most difficult]. Does she have a SW or W FH? Low, skidding shots are the hardest to deal with using those grips. An E FH can be used to counter-slice.

I used to HATE incoming slice until I learned to counter it and now I take it as a challenge to drive them off the court if their slice is weak. And, of course, I have developed my own slice [very handy in doubles].

You don't have to be a good rally slicer to help her: just feed her slice shots. The advantage of doing this is that you will have much more granular control over the depth and lateral position of the feed. I'd suggest first just feeding down the middle so she can get used to the spin.

 

[Fxanimator1]

Try helping her work on her volley's, so that she will be very comfortable attacking the net. More of an aggressive game to bring on to the court might help her mind-set too... Like she's the one in charge.

 

[LeeD]

Slicer's are the best lobbers, so don't expect a net game to do wonder's, she still has to hit overheads from short NML and put them away.

 

[mikeler]

If you can hit decent topspin, try and get some clearance over the net and aim just past the service line. Then the slicer will be forced to hit the ball around their shoulders making for an easier shot to deal with on the next ball.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Try helping her work on her volley's, so that she will be very comfortable attacking the net. More of an aggressive game to bring on to the court might help her mind-set too... Like she's the one in charge.

It also might yield more direct benefits like more errors from the opponent.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Slicer's are the best lobbers, so don't expect a net game to do wonder's, she still has to hit overheads from short NML and put them away.

2 considerations:

- I don't know if Dart or his wife are expecting wonders. However, it's reasonable to expect that forcing such a change might rattle the opponent.

- Dart: IMO, it's important to convey to your wife that if she is lobbed, she shouldn't think "I HAVE to put this OH away.". Another approach might be to hit a more conservative OH that forces the opponent into an awkward position from which she's not comfortable lobbing and THEN put away the next one.

Too often I observe that players, more common at the lower levels, think there is some unwritten rule that says "thou shalt put away any OH" and overdo it and end up giving away the point. In this case, I think patience is a virtue.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Slicer's are the best lobbers, so don't expect a net game to do wonder's, she still has to hit overheads from short NML and put them away.

This lady wasn't a great lobber. But I've seen men who are that type in my leagues.
My wife is pretty good at the net. I usually have to hit a quality topspin passing shot to beat her at the net. I thought it was at least important to get to the net and force the issue.

She's so used to playing moonballer types and sitting back on the baseLine, it was her default strategy. And it played right into the slicers hand.

 

[atatu]

You'll find these players at all levels, I played a 65 year old 4.5 guy on Saturday who sliced every single ball, it was a lot of hard work to beat him. Then you've got Monica Niculescu....

http://www.si.com/tennis/2015/03/13/monica-niculescu-forehand-slice

 

[LeeD]

High balls can defeat a lesser chopper for sure.
But, a good chopper just high volleys a high bouncing ball, the easiest shot for someone who CAN volley, and just redirects it with no energy to the open court.

 

[Deleted member 23235]

My 3 options against slicers:
1. heavy topspin, almost moonballs
2. attack the net
3. knife fight... slice the slicer, hopefully getting a sitter first (but not likely if you don't practice it)
* or hit to their fh, if they are a bh-only-slicer
I've played 5.0 slicers (off bh, also an s&v'er), and it's a shot you have to respect. Tends to land deep, challenges your footwork to be able to get under it, heavy spin skids, etc... I actually prefer hitting to his fh which tends to give me balls i like (hard hit, heavy topspin, waist height, etc..)
Similarly I'll hit only slice if detect you can't hit it well (usually 4.0 and lower levels)

 

[Mr.Lob]

My wife played her first tournament this weekend and got beat 0-0 against a consistent woman who only hit spinning low slices off both wings. This so flustered my wife she got very conservative and just hit back down the middle and quit moving her feet. After the match she stated she'd never seen balls like that. Admittedly in her leagues, women mostly hit flat or moonballs. When I work with her she faces mostly topspin, although I will slice off my BH rarely.
I'm definitely not skilled enough at this chop shot style to emulate it for my wife. Just wondering how I can teach her to deal with this type of player? My thoughts were to a) focus on bending the knees to stay low, b) trying to get to the net as these slices did not seem to be great passing shots, c) better attention to the spin so you know which way a ball will bounce.

I'm also going to check if I can set the ball machine at the club to send low slice shots. Then I can give her a similar shot to get used to.

We have a guy in my 3.5-4.0 doubles league that hits that big chopping slice off both sides, pretty much all the time. The ball goes over the net by inches, and stays very low to the ground. He can hit really good angles with good pace with that shot.

Your advice was good. When you see opponents raquet lifted high over the ball, on the backswing, prepare to bend low for the ball. If opponent doesn't have a good overhead, lobbing, or a slice drop shot, would be a good counter. Also, going to the net works as a reply and can throw off their rhythm. Also, again, my slicer doesn't like to hit the low slice. He likes that topspin ball that sits up. So I'll hit a low slice right back to the slicer.

 

[Dartagnan64]

High balls can defeat a lesser chopper for sure.
But, a good chopper just high volleys a high bouncing ball, the easiest shot for someone who CAN volley, and just redirects it with no energy to the open court.

I'd certainly categorize this lady as a lesser chopper. She ate up low balls but struggled on the high balls. Her slice shots were not orthodox but almost a slapping stroke at the ball with both side spin and underspin. My wife hits a pretty flat FH with an Eastern grip and Borgian semi 2H backhand that also lacks much topspin. It just wasn't the right kind of shot for this opponent. I would have liked to see how she handled a player at the net. Unfortunately my wife retreated into safe baseline mode accepting this losing strategy as the best option of staying in the point and not looking foolish.

 

[navigator]

Two things I found odd here:

"A slicer likes the ball low, doesn't like high topspin": Personally, I like the ball right at the level of my chin when I'm slicing (that's not low). Now, if by "high" we're saying above the head then, yeah, I'd agree. A lot of topspin, above the level of my head, yes those can be tough. Also, low shots are often difficult to slice.
"Slicers don't like pace": Personally, I love pace; makes slicing so much easier. Now, pace plus moving me off the court - that's tough. But simply pace to my BH side makes slicing easier, not harder. In fact, it's the slower, higher balls that are harder to slice because you have to generate your own power which is harder when you're slicing.

As someone that slices 90% of their BHs I found that video odd. (Although I agreed completely that coming to the net against the slice is the quickest way to victory... assuming one can volley well - and most folks don't.)

 

[Devil_dog]

Add me to the list of playing someone who's skilled at chopping and slicing off both wings. I find myself really having to concentrate hard on hitting solidly through the ball since 1. it's low and 2. it's got crazy backspin. Be careful when coming up to volley this kind of shot too since the heavy backspin can often cause volleys to dump right into the net. I have to hit the volley with a firm wrist and just be ready for the lob or next slice shot.

 

[LeeD]

I"m actually going to string up one of my extended length, OS rackets at some really LOW tension, mid 20's depending on string, just for a old man's slice game.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Two things I found odd here:

"A slicer likes the ball low, doesn't like high topspin": Personally, I like the ball right at the level of my chin when I'm slicing (that's not low). Now, if by "high" we're saying above the head then, yeah, I'd agree. A lot of topspin, above the level of my head, yes those can be tough. Also, low shots are often difficult to slice.
"Slicers don't like pace": Personally, I love pace; makes slicing so much easier. Now, pace plus moving me off the court - that's tough. But simply pace to my BH side makes slicing easier, not harder. In fact, it's the slower, higher balls that are harder to slice because you have to generate your own power which is harder when you're slicing.

As someone that slices 90% of their BHs I found that video odd. (Although I agreed completely that coming to the net against the slice is the quickest way to victory... assuming one can volley well - and most folks don't.)

I only slice on low balls since I find I can take the high BH ball better with my 2HBH and just drive it. So from a 2-hander standpoint I can see where they are coming from. I think most 1 handers are used to slicing high balls. Not sure what chop shotters preference would be. The girl my wife played was much better with low balls rather than high balls.

But I agree that slice is not that hard to hit with pace and the hardest for them to hit is a moderate paced loopy topspin. I go into Nadal mode against these types of players. Sadly my wife doesn't do the loopy topspin shot well.

 

[LeeD]

Good slicer's I see ALL can handle shoulder high incoming balls with ease.
Some can hit 5 groundstroke slices in a row without the ball ever bouncing as high as knee high.

 

[ZirkusAffe]

usually people who chop and slice are more angle and depth (meaning lack there of or service line/alley to service line alley).. so if you get comfortable being around the baseline prepare to have to move your feet usually chasing in and wide or away from where your originally were, they use open space including not exclusive drops but low slow slice shots in front of you.. anticipation that you will have to come to the ball quicker is the key.. like others have said the net can be your friend. Off your serve you almost can S&V or assume your getting a chipped low slice back that you'll have to go get rather than wait for or adjust. Stay light on the feet, anticipate shots away but in front of you.
Even if you don't slice a lot you can mix in more shallow depth shots to your wife doesn't need to be slice but should be low and lower paced so she gets used to the constant depth change, try to slice more if she's practicing volleying though as it is an easier floater but not always handled well for people not use to the under spin which if late and racquet face too closed will still find the net if not hit out front but definitely speed-wise should not eat you up at the net.

 

[bktennis78]

Usually slicers are good at slicing from the backhand side but not their forehand side. Slice it back deep to their forehand and wait for the ball that you like to attack.

Also low, short and wide slices can get them in trouble as they'll be forced to make an uncomfortable decision. Follow in on that angle by poaching towards the middle which covers a cross court shot and dare them to hit a low percentage shot down the line or lob. You should be ready to cover all three potential shots including a hard body shot. Tap it into the open court.

Choppers, slicers and pushers all like time. Learn to pick up their **** off the rise off both sides and you'll be causing them to panic more and lead them to make errors.

You can beat them this way by constantly adding pressure to their game since they can't do anything else unless they're screwing around. Expect to lose a few games but you should win the majority of points to victory.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Well my wife feels a bit better today after finding out her first round chop shotting opponent has made it to the finals. Even bageled the 3rd ranked player in her age category. Looks like unconventional strokes can carry you far sometimes. Clearly all the 50+ ladies need to look at this thread to get tips on taking on the slicers of the world.

 

[Mareqnyc]

Slicer's are the best lobbers, so don't expect a net game to do wonder's, she still has to hit overheads from short NML and put them away.

True story. I just lost against a slicer/lobber this morning, the ******* would lob most approach shots 5 inches before the baseline. No baseliner has ever made me run so much, good slicers are a nightmare.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

True story. I just lost against a slicer/lobber this morning, the ******* would lob most approach shots 5 inches before the baseline. No baseliner has ever made me run so much, good slicers are a nightmare.

Putting my skeptical hat on, I've never played someone who was that accurate with the lob. If I could hit every lob 5 FEET inside the BL, I'd be happy.

Please clarify something: was he taking your approach and lobbing it back or was he approaching the net with a lob? I'm assuming the former. If so, how was the quality of your approach? Lob quality and consistency suffer when the lobber has to move [especially towards the net] so if perhaps you can hit approach shots that angle out wide, it might yield better results.

Also, once you figured out he was lobbing, did you start hanging back and taking some of the lobs as OHs or swinging volleys [5 inches inside the BL is a fairly challenging OH but if nothing else was working, it's worth a shot]?

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Well my wife feels a bit better today after finding out her first round chop shotting opponent has made it to the finals. Even bageled the 3rd ranked player in her age category. Looks like unconventional strokes can carry you far sometimes. Clearly all the 50+ ladies need to look at this thread to get tips on taking on the slicers of the world.

I'd expand that to include almost everyone <= 4.5 regardless of gender or age. I can't see a 5.0 being bothered but there are even 4.5s that wouldn't easily deal with a slicer.

 

[Dartagnan64]

I have a pusher friend that is amazing with lobs. He was my primary playing partner for the last 10 years. We'd play about 5 matches a year. When i started playing against him I was rushing the net continually. Then he learned to lob and got so good at it eventually I quit chipping and charging and developed a baseline game. He could hit within a foot of the baseline over and over again. Totally frustrating.

As a result I'm pretty good from the baseline and good with drop shots and other things that make him uncomfortable and he's good with lobs and taking pace off balls. We've likely stunted each others growth in other areas of tennis over that time period.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I have a pusher friend that is amazing with lobs. He was my primary playing partner for the last 10 years. We'd play about 5 matches a year. When i started playing against him I was rushing the net continually. Then he learned to lob and got so good at it eventually I quit chipping and charging and developed a baseline game. He could hit within a foot of the baseline over and over again. Totally frustrating.

As a result I'm pretty good from the baseline and good with drop shots and other things that make him uncomfortable and he's good with lobs and taking pace off balls. We've likely stunted each others growth in other areas of tennis over that time period.

How does he hit when he thinks you're staying on the BL? If he hits a normal GS, what if you sneak attacked by delaying your approach until after your shot has bounced so he's no longer concentrating on you?

 

[Mareqnyc]

Putting my skeptical hat on, I've never played someone who was that accurate with the lob. If I could hit every lob 5 FEET inside the BL, I'd be happy.

Please clarify something: was he taking your approach and lobbing it back or was he approaching the net with a lob? I'm assuming the former. If so, how was the quality of your approach? Lob quality and consistency suffer when the lobber has to move [especially towards the net] so if perhaps you can hit approach shots that angle out wide, it might yield better results.

Also, once you figured out he was lobbing, did you start hanging back and taking some of the lobs as OHs or swinging volleys [5 inches inside the BL is a fairly challenging OH but if nothing else was working, it's worth a shot]?

The guy is just really good. Not some pusher type of slice/dice/junk baller but plays very intelligent tennis. I volley quite well so on a very sunny day he chose to lob almost every approach shot, I adjusted by not rushing to the net as much and waiting for the lob, the high ones by the baseline I had to overhead/slice cause they're not easy shots at all. That came back short again with the ball either going super low like a knife through butter or just died. Super frustrating.

I play a big ball, when I got him on the move with an angle approach he would just stick out his racquet and lob to the corner, the whole point restarted that way. Hitting very heavy spin was the only thing that worked :/

 

[Mareqnyc]

Putting my skeptical hat on, I've never played someone who was that accurate with the lob. If I could hit every lob 5 FEET inside the BL, I'd be happy.

Please clarify something: was he taking your approach and lobbing it back or was he approaching the net with a lob? I'm assuming the former. If so, how was the quality of your approach? Lob quality and consistency suffer when the lobber has to move [especially towards the net] so if perhaps you can hit approach shots that angle out wide, it might yield better results.

Also, once you figured out he was lobbing, did you start hanging back and taking some of the lobs as OHs or swinging volleys [5 inches inside the BL is a fairly challenging OH but if nothing else was working, it's worth a shot]?

Just measured out 5inches. Might have exxagarated this one I am a hopelessly used to the metric system. Id say like 50cm. Still a pain in the ass

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Just measured out 5inches. Might have exxagarated this one I am a hopelessly used to the metric system. Id say like 50cm. Still a pain in the ass

Yeah, even 20" [50cm] within the BL is incredibly accurate. Sounds like a tough opponent.

 

[MisterP]

True story. I just lost against a slicer/lobber this morning, the ******* would lob most approach shots 5 inches before the baseline. No baseliner has ever made me run so much, good slicers are a nightmare.

My go-to strategy for these lobsters is to hit pace straight up the middle until they produce a short ball. The last thing you want to do is give them angles.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

My go-to strategy for these lobsters is to hit pace straight up the middle until they produce a short ball. The last thing you want to do is give them angles.

But isn't it easier to lob off of ball up the middle than one wide? Most people don't hit as well when on the run vs mostly stationary.

 

[Mareqnyc]

Yeah, even 20" [50cm] within the BL is incredibly accurate. Sounds like a tough opponent.

Tough, a true 5.0, former college player. Not your typical power baseline nonsense. S&V on 75%of serves, drop shots, flat forehand drives. Not easy at all

 

[MisterP]

But isn't it easier to lob off of ball up the middle than one wide? Most people don't hit as well when on the run vs mostly stationary.

Pushers/slicers/hackers whatever you want to call them love moving side to side. That's their happy place. When you keep them in the middle it takes away their ability to hit as many angles and gives you more margins for hitting more pace. Eventually they'll cough up a short ball and you have to be able to put it away otherwise they'll lob you or pass you and it all starts over again.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Tough, a true 5.0, former college player. Not your typical power baseline nonsense. S&V on 75%of serves, drop shots, flat forehand drives. Not easy at all

OK, since you put it THAT way…

Now I take my skeptical hat off and … my hat's off to you. That's a great opponent: I'd like to play more people like that!

 

[Mareqnyc]

OK, since you put it THAT way…

Now I take my skeptical hat off and … my hat's off to you. That's a great opponent: I'd like to play more people like that!

It's like playing a different sport

 

[Dartagnan64]

I'd expand that to include almost everyone <= 4.5 regardless of gender or age. I can't see a 5.0 being bothered but there are even 4.5s that wouldn't easily deal with a slicer.

How does he hit when he thinks you're staying on the BL? If he hits a normal GS, what if you sneak attacked by delaying your approach until after your shot has bounced so he's no longer concentrating on you?

I am no longer that quick. Lol. But I can beat him by moving him from the baseline now. He's lost a step as well over the years.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I am no longer that quick. Lol. But I can beat him by moving him from the baseline now. He's lost a step as well over the years.

Still, it might be worth the surprised look on his face when he hits a neutral shot expecting you to be on the BL and, lo and behold, you're in NML getting ready to pound a volley!

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

It's like playing a different sport

Well, I'm sure if a beginner watched you play they might think the same thing [that you're so much better than them it's a different sport]. I prefer to look at it as different points along a continuum, not a quantum leap [although the high end of the continuum seems farther and farther away the older I get!].

 

[Bilders]

Whenever I See these threads, I always think of Federer playing Santoro.

 

[Big_Dangerous]

Whenever I See these threads, I always think of Federer playing Santoro.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Well my wife lost the consolation final. This time to a consistent pusher. Realized that getting to the net was an effective strategy too late. First set she tried the baseline war of attrition and lost 6-1. Then she started rushing the net and bringing the pusher to the net and got to a second set tiebreak. Lost a close one in the tiebreak.

Chalk it up to experience as this was her first tournament. Her inconsistency still outweighs her shot making. But at least she realizes with a few changes to her game she can compete in her age category.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Well my wife lost the consolation final. This time to a consistent pusher. Realized that getting to the net was an effective strategy too late. First set she tried the baseline war of attrition and lost 6-1. Then she started rushing the net and bringing the pusher to the net and got to a second set tiebreak. Lost a close one in the tiebreak.

Chalk it up to experience as this was her first tournament. Her inconsistency still outweighs her shot making. But at least she realizes with a few changes to her game she can compete in her age category.

That's an awesome first tournament result! Good thing it was double elimination: that gave her a chance to get more tournament experience.

 

[Mr.Lob]

Well my wife lost the consolation final. This time to a consistent pusher. Realized that getting to the net was an effective strategy too late. First set she tried the baseline war of attrition and lost 6-1. Then she started rushing the net and bringing the pusher to the net and got to a second set tiebreak. Lost a close one in the tiebreak.

Chalk it up to experience as this was her first tournament. Her inconsistency still outweighs her shot making. But at least she realizes with a few changes to her game she can compete in her age category.

Your wife have a good overhead? The pusher probably started lobbing

 

[Dartagnan64]

Your wife have a good overhead? The pusher probably started lobbing

Still she seemed to win more points and games attacking the net some. Pusher sent a fair number of lobs long so it was clear she wasn't as skilled at dealing with net people.

 

[Dakota C]

My wife played her first tournament this weekend and got beat 0-0 against a consistent woman who only hit spinning low slices off both wings. This so flustered my wife she got very conservative and just hit back down the middle and quit moving her feet. After the match she stated she'd never seen balls like that. Admittedly in her leagues, women mostly hit flat or moonballs. When I work with her she faces mostly topspin, although I will slice off my BH rarely.
I'm definitely not skilled enough at this chop shot style to emulate it for my wife. Just wondering how I can teach her to deal with this type of player? My thoughts were to a) focus on bending the knees to stay low, b) trying to get to the net as these slices did not seem to be great passing shots, c) better attention to the spin so you know which way a ball will bounce.

I'm also going to check if I can set the ball machine at the club to send low slice shots. Then I can give her a similar shot to get used to.

Ya as another said, force towards the net, or bring the other player to the net. You should try both to figure out which is better. If the opponent is only confident with slicing, they will be flustered if the opponent moves to the net. As well, your wife could try hitting some short balls to force the other play to move in and try the net or retreat.

 

[trader14]

I apologize in advance if this is long. I am one of these slicers who can drive people crazy. Over the weekend i played and won a usta match and recorded it using the playsight software. I am 53 and have been playing tennis for 3 years after 35 years off. I will play people in their 20's and win. Not to be full of myself but i win a overwhelming % of my singles (prefer) and doubles. I viewed the match yesterday that i dominated and after seeing it came away with the following thought. it amazes me that i beat anyone yet alone most everyone. I can't speak for all slicers but most of the generalities that are made do not apply to me. my play is to slice every shot and i do it multiple ways and most of the time to my opponents backhand so the ball is moving away from their body. the shot can be low and deep to the baseline, it can me mid court or it can be a drop shot to either the bh or fh. I can wait till the last second to decide what i want to do with the ball. most people i beat in my opinion are better tennis players than myself (better form, more graceful strokes, better serves). I love the dropshot bringing a opponent into the net and then lob him. a friend who wont play me in singles anymore made the comment after being beaten that he came into the net 45 times and didn't hit a single volley. i have found that if i can get a opponent into a 3rd set i will usually win because a lot of the "great" shots he might make returning a ball in the first set, well getting down low, bending your knees and making those shots in set 3 are much more difficult. If someone hits a high ball to me i have 2 options 1) often times i will treat it as a overhead and serve/smash the ball but i can also easily chop those shots. tennis is a puzzle and it sometimes takes a while to solve the puzzle. I know what my weakness is and it is my backhand, if someone can somehow pick on my backhand they will beat me. I've been called crafty, strategic, frustrating to play against. i don't hit the ball nearly as hard as my opponents and at least for me I enjoy someone who hits with pace but i simply try and put my opponent in uncomfortable situations on the court and move into the net to win the point. I don't expect my slices to be winners but they set my game up so the next shot or 2 will be a winner. I can hit topspin forehands and practice all these shots using my ball machine but my slice is a much higher % shot. i wish i had some words of wisdom but if you have questions i am happy to answer. i found this thread by googling how to beat a slicer chopper in tennis