returning slices
- Thread starter Hoons54
- Start date
Carolina Racquet
Professional
I return with more topspin than usual and move in more before the ball moves further away. I think this the preferred way to go unless you're not in a good postion, then I use slice.
spacediver
Hall of Fame
I find that really exaggerating the "getting low" part helps me actually get low enough. I really feel it in my quads.
dozu
Banned
trouble with returning slices is a tell tale sign of muscling the ball.
key is relaxation, so you can smoothly drop the racket head below the ball, and whip it up with topspin.... grip pressure should be a 2 (yes, 2! you stiff!) on a scale of 10.
timing - the underspin of the sliced ball creates aerodynamic 'lift' on the ball, so when it bounces, it has very 'light' friction with the court, and therefore it doesn't slow down as much as a topspin ball.... the visual, to train your timing, is hit it as if you are hitting a swinging volley (without the ball bouncing).... this will get you away from the bad habit of waiting for the ball to bounce then starting the swing, which is another sin that a lot of rec players have, but can get away with incoming topspin balls, but are fully exposed when the ball skids into them.
now, relax.... I call it -
UNgrip it, and whip it!
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dominikk1985
Legend
bend your knees really deep and then slice or spin it back.
fuzz nation
G.O.A.T.
If you think about the lower skidding bounce of an incoming slice, you've got to align your strike zone down low enough to handle that ball if you want to respond with a topspin stroke of your own. That's why the extra knee bend is such an essential element - you can't make much topspin by swinging down from above the ball, right?
If the ball is just too low to start your racquet underneath it, you're going to have trouble making topspin. Often times, that can mean that the smartest reply to an opponent's slice is a slice of your own. If you don't have a strong slice, I recommend you get to work on it. You'll only become more capable on both wings if you have the option to slice well.
Ever work on hitting the ball on the rise as it bounces up off the court? You've got to recognize the opportunity and move to the proper spot in a hurry, but it can give you another strong option against a lower bouncing ball. Since it's already rising up off the court, you get to swing more flat through the ball with a closed racquet face than in low-to-high mode. One more thing to work on.
If the ball is just too low to start your racquet underneath it, you're going to have trouble making topspin. Often times, that can mean that the smartest reply to an opponent's slice is a slice of your own. If you don't have a strong slice, I recommend you get to work on it. You'll only become more capable on both wings if you have the option to slice well.
Ever work on hitting the ball on the rise as it bounces up off the court? You've got to recognize the opportunity and move to the proper spot in a hurry, but it can give you another strong option against a lower bouncing ball. Since it's already rising up off the court, you get to swing more flat through the ball with a closed racquet face than in low-to-high mode. One more thing to work on.
Sreeram
Professional
Guys yesterday in doubles one of my opponent had a slice that was flat and penetrating. my normal serve and volley movements got me forward momentum but the slice forced me to move back until the ball landed I ended up playing too close to my body resulting in a nothing shot from me.
The opponents started laughing at me for this because I had ability to rip their returns for winner but missed their slice return so badly. It happened twice. I am normally good in returning slice with high topspin shots. But my backword movement after initial serve and volley position let me down. What do you guys think I was missing here?
The opponents started laughing at me for this because I had ability to rip their returns for winner but missed their slice return so badly. It happened twice. I am normally good in returning slice with high topspin shots. But my backword movement after initial serve and volley position let me down. What do you guys think I was missing here?
Rui
Semi-Pro
A volley after your serve.
Otherwise, it sounds like he hit a couple of good deep shots that caught you unprepared.
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Sreeram
Professional
robert_craig72
New User
Try to return it with a topspin.
Although there are some players who play really well after serving, most NML players end up on the losing end of the stick. I'd suggest to decide whether to come within 2' of the service line for an approach/putaway volley or staying back right atop the baseline for a defensive second shot.
When that hard slice comes low and skidded, most forehands are hit with heavy topspin, low pace, and hit the outside of the ball for a little sidespin for depth control, since you can't always rely on getting underneath that low ball. On the backhand, same thing, hit the outside of the ball for topspin, inside of the ball for underspin, and drive thru it.
When that hard slice comes low and skidded, most forehands are hit with heavy topspin, low pace, and hit the outside of the ball for a little sidespin for depth control, since you can't always rely on getting underneath that low ball. On the backhand, same thing, hit the outside of the ball for topspin, inside of the ball for underspin, and drive thru it.
If you're serve and volleying going backward isn't an option. You get in as far as you can after your serve, (usually 2 or 3 steps), split step, and then move toward the return. You'd like the returner to hit a nice shoulder high floater, but if the guy drills it at your feet you still have to move forward, get your racquet out in front of you, and get it back. The nice thing in doubles is that you don't have to hit McEnroe-esk quality first volleys to still be in the point. Get the ball over the net keeping it low, finish moving in, and now there are two of you up there. As long as you keep your ball low you should have a fighting chance to win the point. The deeper you hit it the better your chances.
For most of us that aren't Stefan Edberg the split step after the serve usually happens before the service line, but you still should be hitting the volley at or inside the service line.
What you're describing doesn't sound like serve and volley. This sounds like like serve and then stand a bit inside the baseline and wait for a weak return - kind of in no man's land. Do I have that correct? Againist weaker players the positioning you've described can work because the returns are short and/or weak (as you seem to be describing). However I would think that a stronger player would hit a strong, deep return right at you and force you to hit a ball at your ankles. That's certainly what I would do. Slice. flat, or top spin doesn't really matter. The goal is to make you volley or half volley from behind the service line, or make you backup while trying to hit a ground stroke, both of which are pretty hard to do effectively.
This is the general reason you try to stay out of no man's land and continue to move forward if you're coming in.
It sounds like you either need to try a full serve and volley, or stayback against these stronger returns and wait for a short ball.
eidolonshinobi
Professional
Try using more topspin than usual, much easier on the forehand side IMO.
Or slice back: try not to just slice it back however, but place it, pace it, penetrate it.
Or slice back: try not to just slice it back however, but place it, pace it, penetrate it.
fruitytennis1
Professional
Agreed. Against a good topspin loop you'll be cheese
