How far can you go with a slice-only backhand?

[Enga]

It takes a lot of practice to get the slice to a level where it can be your main stroke off the bh for offense and defense. You have to consciously choose it and practice it for years. I see it as being a viable option, it just so happens that topspin is preferred is preferred by most, including me.


The thing is, if you want a slice like a Feliciano Lopez or like Ken Rosewall of the legends, I dont see it happening unless you dedicate yourself to practicing and maining that shot, ignoring topspin. Just like how a Federer uses mostly topspin and only slices for defense and variation, if you want to mainly use a slice I think you would only use topspin for variation and unique scenarios.

I mean, it has some prety decent advantages, a good slice can be used to place the ball, it can create some nice angles, disguise lobs and dropshots. You'll see those flat slices that can be outright winners and spinny slices to keep the ball well in play and tough to handle. Its drawbacks is its a bit harder to hit with a lot of pace, and people tend to make a lot of errors off the slice whe they try too hard to go on the offense.

 

[GrassCourtFan]

In singles you can go as far as you want with just a slice. The main thing you'll have to deal with that's going to be very hard is passing people at net. You can do ok with placing the ball and making them hit up, and moving the ball around to make them hit different volleys or lobs, but good net players will eat all that stuff up. The other option is to play pretty aggressive and try to be the first to net, or at least keep them away, so you don't need to do that. A third option is to pull out a topspin or flat backhand just for passing shots - it's never gonna be your most consistent thing, but perhaps it'll be enough. In combination, the three of those things are completely playable in singles. Pros do it, especially the last two.

In doubles the big thing is return of serve. You'll have a lot of trouble keeping your return of serve away from an active net player on the backhand slice, especially off of good flat serves. You'll have to have excellent variety on the return - mix in lob returns, crosscourt chips, and down the line chips, then do whatever you can to get in to net ASAP so you don't have to hit a backhand passing shot. But man, that return of serve with slice only is going to be really tough to maintain against an active net player. I don't know enough pro doubles to know if there are any pros that get away with this, but I certainly haven't seen any. You can certainly get away with it in "old-man" rec doubles, clearly playable up to at least 4.5 level.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

In singles you can go as far as you want with just a slice. The main thing you'll have to deal with that's going to be very hard is passing people at net. You can do ok with placing the ball and making them hit up, and moving the ball around to make them hit different volleys or lobs, but good net players will eat all that stuff up. The other option is to play pretty aggressive and try to be the first to net, or at least keep them away, so you don't need to do that. A third option is to pull out a topspin or flat backhand just for passing shots - it's never gonna be your most consistent thing, but perhaps it'll be enough. In combination, the three of those things are completely playable in singles. Pros do it, especially the last two.

In singles, I've found, on both sides of the net, that a slice is a pretty effective shot as the first shot when someone approaches the net, especially when it's low and at an angle. I really have to get down low to make sure I don't net the volley. And hitting a drop shot is a lot more difficult off of a slice than TS. Even if hit straight at me it can be difficult to hit a very offensive volley. And it's a very high % shot, which means you won't be giving away a lot of points due to errors trying for too much. After the 1st shot, IMO, it loses a lot of its effectiveness unless the net guy is hanging back.

 

[NLBwell]

You're forgetting about the net guy. When I'm playing doubles and I see the guy is going to slice, I lick my chops - and so do most net players. Easy put away.

I've always returned serve with a slice backhand. I've played (and beaten) Challenger level guys in doubles and have never had anyone licking their chops on my slice backhand. You must be WAY better than them.
Remember, the idea in winning doubles is to get to the net and have the opponents have to hit up to you.
If you are trying to hit topspin (or slice) backhand passing shots against two guys up at the net, you are losing.

Sorry for being snarky, but I get irritated when people say that players must do a certain thing in order to win at tennis.

 

[Minion]

I've always returned serve with a slice backhand. I've played (and beaten) Challenger level guys in doubles and have never had anyone licking their chops on my slice backhand. You must be WAY better than them.
Remember, the idea in winning doubles is to get to the net and have the opponents have to hit up to you.
If you are trying to hit topspin (or slice) backhand passing shots against two guys up at the net, you are losing.

Sorry for being snarky, but I get irritated when people say that players must do a certain thing in order to win at tennis.

Lol, ok dude.

 

[TnsGuru]

Feliciano Lopez didn't come over his backhand that much and reached #12. Plays serve and volley...not the typical dirt baller from spain! Sliced and approached frequently to get to the net and had a decent run last year at the U.S open QF and lost to Djokovic.

 

[Power Player]

My slice backhand has gotten very very good over the years. I think it has overtaken my 2hander to be quite honest. With my slice BH I have more confidence and am able to put very heavy backspin on the ball while keeping it low and deep. My FH is my real weapon anyway, on that side I hit with heavy topspin.

So my theory is by using more slice backhand, I strengthen my backhand side more. I will still hit two handed backhands when it presents itself, but I'm going to focus on using my slice bh a lot more to mix up spins to the opponent. They will have to get used to heavy slice and heavy top, and I believe that will be an advantage for me. It also will help me out if I am not feeling confident with my 2 hander, which happens some days.

Will see how it goes in league play. Did it last night and won my practice matches once I employed the strategy.

 

[SumYungGai]

My slice backhand has gotten very very good over the years. I think it has overtaken my 2hander to be quite honest. With my slice BH I have more confidence and am able to put very heavy backspin on the ball while keeping it low and deep. My FH is my real weapon anyway, on that side I hit with heavy topspin.

So my theory is by using more slice backhand, I strengthen my backhand side more. I will still hit two handed backhands when it presents itself, but I'm going to focus on using my slice bh a lot more to mix up spins to the opponent. They will have to get used to heavy slice and heavy top, and I believe that will be an advantage for me. It also will help me out if I am not feeling confident with my 2 hander, which happens some days.

Will see how it goes in league play. Did it last night and won my practice matches once I employed the strategy.

Just play like Delpo. You should do alright.

 

[Power Player]

Just play like Delpo. You should do alright.

That would be great right? Lol. But in terms of strategy, it essentially is what I plan to do.

 

[TnsGuru]

My slice backhand has gotten very very good over the years. I think it has overtaken my 2hander to be quite honest. With my slice BH I have more confidence and am able to put very heavy backspin on the ball while keeping it low and deep. My FH is my real weapon anyway, on that side I hit with heavy topspin.

So my theory is by using more slice backhand, I strengthen my backhand side more. I will still hit two handed backhands when it presents itself, but I'm going to focus on using my slice bh a lot more to mix up spins to the opponent. They will have to get used to heavy slice and heavy top, and I believe that will be an advantage for me. It also will help me out if I am not feeling confident with my 2 hander, which happens some days.

Will see how it goes in league play. Did it last night and won my practice matches once I employed the strategy.

When it comes to the backhand slice, it has to have a bit of pace and at the same time be penetrating and and stay low. This takes some good feel and skill, even at the pro level, I will see some slices that are more floaty than penetrating and don't really hurt anyone. Graf for example had a very good slice and later in her career opted to use it exclusively than her topspin even though she was very capable of hitting one.

At the amateuer level, the slice looks more like a chop with heavy backspin and not much pace. I have seen some old Rosewall backhands on youtube and it doesn't even look like he's slicing because his swing was more level and through the ball more. Also, his preparation wasn't too high like lots of players tend to do.

 

[LeeD]

If you want to add pace to your slices, use an eastern backhand grip, keep upright body posture, and moderate high to low swingpath. It can be hit almost the same speed as heavy topspin shots.

 

[Power Player]

When it comes to the backhand slice, it has to have a bit of pace and at the same time be penetrating and and stay low. This takes some good feel and skill, even at the pro level, I will see some slices that are more floaty than penetrating and don't really hurt anyone. Graf for example had a very good slice and later in her career opted to use it exclusively than her topspin even though she was very capable of hitting one.

At the amateuer level, the slice looks more like a chop with heavy backspin and not much pace. I have seen some old Rosewall backhands on youtube and it doesn't even look like he's slicing because his swing was more level and through the ball more. Also, his preparation wasn't too high like lots of players tend to do.

Yeah I have gotten mine to where it has pace and stays very low. But I've been developing it for years.

 

[jls304]

The slice backhand of course comes withome limitations but in the large picture a good slice backhand can certainly take you very far. It's generally a very consistent shot. Being consistent wins matches...plain and simple.

 

[Numero Uno]

one word-feliciano

Sent from my LG-H955 using Tapatalk

 

[tennis tom]

Niculescu is driving 'em crazy with her slices. There's a rec player I know who is very popular at the clubs with the old ladies as a designated hitter, that's the only shot he possesses. You can't rally with him because the ball never comes up.

 

[TnsGuru]

Entertaining slicing from Fed and Youzhny.

 

[Dartagnan64]

That video shows the problem with slice. It will keep you in the point but will rarely win you the point.

That being said it's an important shot to have as there are times you can't get set up to hit a proper topspin shot. And it's like a change up pitch. Throws off the receiver and hopefully gets a mishit.

 

[shamaho]

Last night I saw Steve Johnson hitting essentially all slice backhands against Verdasco. It's an interesting concept, and I am glad to see American males mixing it up and doing something other than the "Bolleteri way". So, what is the highest you have seen a player get hitting only slice backhands. I have seen 4.0 singles players and 4.5 doubles players who only hit slice off the backhand side. Haven't seen higher rated players than that doing so.

I haven't read all the thread but two immediately pop up to my memory:
Emilio Sanchez
Steffi Graf
And hmm the magician

Excuse my brevity, sent from mobile on puny keyboard and rocking public transport

 

[crazyups]

Niculescu is driving 'em crazy with her slices. There's a rec player I know who is very popular at the clubs with the old ladies as a designated hitter, that's the only shot he possesses. You can't rally with him because the ball never comes up.

Roberta Vinci employs a slice backhand about 95% of the time and she is higher ranked.

 

[Nellie]

I find it exhausting to play someone with a good slice bh who can flatten it out when needed. I have to hug the baseline (in case they hit a softer, low ball) and then sprint to ball when they hit flat. Also, I find people with a good slice can hid the direction of the ball well (ball is staying on the racquet head longer, so I am sprinting more. Also, I am hitting max effort short to get heavy/hard balls while they can respond with a lot less effort. So I end up playing a lot of serve and volley

 

[WYK]

That video shows the problem with slice. It will keep you in the point but will rarely win you the point.

....

More importantly, slice didn't win the point. A top spin backhand did.

 

[ZirkusAffe]

Feliciano Lopez didn't come over his backhand that much and reached #12. Plays serve and volley...not the typical dirt baller from spain! Sliced and approached frequently to get to the net and had a decent run last year at the U.S open QF and lost to Djokovic.

I'm glad you mentioned Lopez, watch his performance VS Isner in Vienna.. awesome slice and attack all day, but Isner even with a lot of erratic play overpowered him .. Lopez was working that slice.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/players/feliciano-lopez/l397/overview
dat stash..

 

[cknobman]

 

[TennisCJC]

I've always returned serve with a slice backhand. I've played (and beaten) Challenger level guys in doubles and have never had anyone licking their chops on my slice backhand. You must be WAY better than them.
Remember, the idea in winning doubles is to get to the net and have the opponents have to hit up to you.
If you are trying to hit topspin (or slice) backhand passing shots against two guys up at the net, you are losing.

Sorry for being snarky, but I get irritated when people say that players must do a certain thing in order to win at tennis.

Yea, John McEnroe was probably the best doubles player of the last 40 years and he hit predominately slice. I saw him 1984, 2 weeks after he dismantle Connors at Wimbledon. He played Davis Cap against Argentina and he totally frustrated them in doubles. It was pretty amazing how consistently and accurately he could return with slice. He even hit a lot of slice off the FH.

 

[Deleted member 23235]

Played a practice match against my buddy where I only sliced the ball fromn the bh... man, it's harder than I thought, especially against someone hitting heavy looping topspin (i think that's when delpo chooses to hit a 2hbh).
My buddy did mention that it was frustrating not getting the pace/height he normally gets when I hit a 2hbh (more prone to errs, couldn't get as much pace, etc...)
but too often i'd pop the ball up, and it became a sitter (even if it landed deep), which was usually put away for a winner/forced err.

I think i can make the slice work as my primary backhand, as long as i have an option to hit top (ie. for high balls and hitting on the rise), but i definitely need to work on:
* hitting it deep
* getting it to skid
* footwork to run around bh, and attack with fh

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Played a practice match against my buddy where I only sliced the ball fromn the bh... man, it's harder than I thought, especially against someone hitting heavy looping topspin (i think that's when delpo chooses to hit a 2hbh).
My buddy did mention that it was frustrating not getting the pace/height he normally gets when I hit a 2hbh (more prone to errs, couldn't get as much pace, etc...)
but too often i'd pop the ball up, and it became a sitter (even if it landed deep), which was usually put away for a winner/forced err.

I think i can make the slice work as my primary backhand, as long as i have an option to hit top (ie. for high balls and hitting on the rise), but i definitely need to work on:
* hitting it deep
* getting it to skid
* footwork to run around bh, and attack with fh

I find I'm more consistent with a OH slice BH rather than a drive 2HBH [something I'm working on remedying]. I think it's because I feel no pressure to put the ball away since, unless I'm hitting a DS, there's almost no way I'm going to hit a winner. This allows me to just concentrate on hitting it deep and hopefully not a sitter.

What I find difficult, though, is taking the ball on the rise. I've gotten relatively comfortable doing that with my TS drive but I'm not there yet with the BH slice. Maybe because it's easier to hit a slice from a higher position than a low one. I think the margin of error of taking it on the rise is a lot smaller and you don't have the luxury of just brushing up on the ball to generate more TS and more margin.