I have a solid 2hbh. I actually perfer it over my forehand but I have so much trouble hitting a low skidding slice. When I slice it floats high and slow. My goal is to give it a little more pace and to hit it lower across the net...Can anyone help me build a slice backhand from scratch?
Sounds like symptoms of turning late among other things.....so first off, turn earlier and make a complete shoulder turn so that your shoulders are about perpendicular to your target line.....it will feel very weird at first,,because I bet you're not turning much now. Turning late is also making you hit the ball late so try to hit it more out in front of you and lean into your shot, get your weight into it.
Then you want to look at the slope of your racquet path; if it is too severe/steep, you''ll pop up your slice, almost like hitting a drop shot, so flatten your stoke out a bit..not completely flat but try using a more gradual slope and hit through rather than straight down..
You can also try closing your grip a bit going more towards an eastern bh grip than continental (not completely though) if you are still popping it up too much. That will close the racquet face at impact...like the difference between hitting a wedge and a six iron and you'll get a flatter trajectory. It is one way to compensate for all the other stuff you're doing wrong.....like turning late and not turning completely. At least you'll hit a flatter slice.
Also unlike your 2hander, you'll have to control your rotation.......something you're probably not doing now. And you'll have to try to keep your wrist firm.
Foot work, ah foot work.....the karaoke step.....learn it. See if you can get some video of Rafter and/or Edberg. Two great slicers and great guys to copy slice bh technique from. ..then go out and hit a million balls and you should be good. ;o)
Really the best way to learn any stroke is to find a good teacher and buy a few lessons. You can read about this stuff all day long and it helps somewhat but having someone who knows proper technique and can communicate it to you and correct your mistakes is the way to go. Don't let the guy go until you understand the proper technques involved and then practice to hone those techniques. Pretty soon you may have a damn good slice..one that skids through the court like they are suppose to instead of sitting up big and fat with "kill me" written on it. ;o) .
