Slice Forehand

[TeamOB]

This shot is almost universally frowned upon by coaches. IMO this is unjustified. The slice forehand is a very useful shot. When I am in a power-FH rally I will often slice the ball low DTL to my opponents BH. The change of pace and height often results in a poor reply. When hit with a little bit of side-spin (by carving around the inside of the ball) it bounces away from the opponent and can be wickedly difficult to return. A short, low, cross-court slice can be very tricky for guys with extreme FH grips. Overall I think the FH slice is the most underrated shot in tennis. What do you think? Does anyone here hit many FH slices?

P.S. I mean slice from the baseline. Slice approach shots are a widely accepted shot that most people hit.

 

[movdqa]

I only hit slice forehands on approach shots or as an extreme defensive shot. Most of the folks that I play don't have any problems hitting low slice shots.

 

[Fuji]

I think it's only worth hitting if you are going for a good squash shot. Even then I've noticed that most guys are able to handle a forehand slice pretty well. (Unless you have mad disguise like Tomic with his drop forehand.)

If you haven't seen this, it's honestly one of the coolest shots I've ever seen in tennis. Absolutely ridiculous feel off the forehand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox68399L7rE

-Fuji

 

[Sir Shankalot]

I'm a lefty, so I suppose my slice BH is the equivalent of a righty's slice FH. Anyway, I find it to be a very useful shot simply as a changeup to get my opponent off his rhythm. It seems to draw a lot of errors.

 

[Bobby Jr]

Ditto to what Sir Shankalot said. I'm a lefty to approach the net with a slice forehand dtl an opponent's forehand a fair bit so I have more time to close in and also they wont be hitting their shot in their main strike zone.

 

[nootles]

I feel that in general, you can do more with a top spin forehand than a slice forehand. There are instances where the slice forehand is superior. For example, you can hit a ball that is behind you with a slice forehand.

At the level where shot variety can win points, the slice forehand can be a good shot for free points. Once you go up to a level where shot quality becomes the main factor in winning points, the slice forehand will quickly lose its effectiveness.

 

[Sir Shankalot]

Ditto to what Sir Shankalot said. I'm a lefty to approach the net with a slice forehand dtl an opponent's forehand a fair bit so I have more time to close in and also they wont be hitting their shot in their main strike zone.

Yes, and add a bit of sidespin and your opponent will be right off the court. The other fun shot is hitting slice crosscourt with sidespin... the ball bounces into the body of the opponent and if they don't read it right they get totally jammed.:twisted:

At the level where shot variety can win points, the slice forehand can be a good shot for free points. Once you go up to a level where shot quality becomes the main factor in winning points, the slice forehand will quickly lose its effectiveness.

I'm sure that is true, but I am talking 3.5-ish level here. The ability to mix in the odd junk ball with routine plain vanilla topspin can draw a lot of errors.

 

[nootles]

I'm sure that is true, but I am talking 3.5-ish level here. The ability to mix in the odd junk ball with routine plain vanilla topspin can draw a lot of errors.

At that level, variety of spin is a deadly weapon. People get into a one tracked mind of top spin after top spin that anything else doesn't really register until it's too late.

 

[TennisCJC]

you don't see it much in pro tennis but it has its place.

It was used a lot in past. Evonne Goolagong used it a lot and especially on grass. She beat Evertt in Wimbledon final and hit a ton of FH slices. Connors used it for DTL and low balls. McEnroe used on as ROS and approach shot.

It can be used in rec levels. I had a friend was a teaching pro who hit a ton of FH slices.




It can be good against high balls, very

 

[barringer97]

I'm all over it.

Chip & Charge Baby!

 

[dman72]

I think it most cases at 4.0 level and below, it's actualy more effective then "plain vanilla topspin", a good phrase whoever said it! It's not more effective then hard, heavy topspin, but how consistently are people at this level hitting that?

A short slice to either side is a shot that many, many 4.0 and below players can't do much with...they cannot consistently lift it over the net and back down into the court with any pace..flat hitting guys Eastern FH in my league have tons of problems with these shots.

 

[RoddickAce]

I find it a very useful shot when defending and I'm on the dead run to my forehand side.

 

[winstonlim8]

I don't know how to hit a defensive forehand slice. I only know how to hit the attacking flat-slice forehand and use it mainly as an approach shot. I prefer to hit a lob as high and as deep as I can when on the run - being fat, slow and old, it gives me time to get back into position.

That's why, as I mentioned in another post, I practise topspin lobs against idjits who try to hit winners during the warm up.

 

[dman72]

I don't know how to hit a defensive forehand slice. I only know how to hit the attacking flat-slice forehand and use it mainly as an approach shot. I prefer to hit a lob as high and as deep as I can when on the run - being fat, slow and old, it gives me time to get back into position.

That's why, as I mentioned in another post, I practise topspin lobs against idjits who try to hit winners during the warm up.

Defensive forehand slice is the "squash shot" often referred to. It's used a lot by pros when pulled very wide.

 

[Manus Domini]

It's a strategic thing, imo. If your opponent has bad footwork/trouble with slices, a forehand slice is a viable shot--so long as you don't over use it, and use it more as a change-up shot. Forehand slice is one of my favorite shots, but I use it sparingly.

 

[winstonlim8]

Defensive forehand slice is the "squash shot" often referred to. It's used a lot by pros when pulled very wide.

I know that but I just can't do it. I don't have the coordination to do it at all. I always end up clipping the ball with the edge of my racquet. I don't do that when I hit a floaty slice backhand (I almost never do since I have an aggressive all-purpose flat-slice backhand) I don't know why.

 

[movdqa]

I think that it's a lot easier if you've played squash before. I played squash, racquetball, tennis and table-tennis in my 20s.

 

[dman72]

I know that but I just can't do it. I don't have the coordination to do it at all. I always end up clipping the ball with the edge of my racquet. I don't do that when I hit a floaty slice backhand (I almost never do since I have an aggressive all-purpose flat-slice backhand) I don't know why.

It's about contact point and grip..you can hold the racquet in an almost eastern backhand grip and slice the ball when it is past you.

When you're slicing offensively, you can do it with a continental or even eastern forehand grip.

If you just play around with it hitting against a wall or something it will eventually click.

 

[winstonlim8]

It's about contact point and grip..you can hold the racquet in an almost eastern backhand grip and slice the ball when it is past you.

When you're slicing offensively, you can do it with a continental or even eastern forehand grip.

If you just play around with it hitting against a wall or something it will eventually click.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[mightyrick]

Slice forehand?

Applicable to approach shots or drop shots. Nothing outside of that unless your last name is Federer, Dologopolov, or Radwanska.

 

[dman72]

Slice forehand?

Applicable to approach shots or drop shots. Nothing outside of that unless your last name is Federer, Dologopolov, or Radwanska.

When your opponent just made you run across court and the ball is 2 feet behind you on your forehand, just don't bother to swing at it because only Federer should try that shot? It's used when there is no other alternative, and it really isn't that difficult.

 

[Egoista]

ifyou hit it it has to stay really low and fast in order to be effective

 

[tennisfreak]

ifyou hit it it has to stay really low and fast in order to be effective

I know a player who is playing at the 4.5 level who basically slices his forehand with a moderate pace nice and deep on rally balls. He wreaks havoc on most other 4.5 players who get impatient and overhit what they think are sitters.

It's hard to come in on him because he can either lob or take something off it and slice it at your feet.

 

[dman72]

ifyou hit it it has to stay really low and fast in order to be effective

I'd say if it's low that's 75% of the battle.

 

[5263]

This shot is almost universally frowned upon by coaches. IMO this is unjustified. The slice forehand is a very useful shot. When I am in a power-FH rally I will often slice the ball low DTL to my opponents BH. The change of pace and height often results in a poor reply. When hit with a little bit of side-spin (by carving around the inside of the ball) it bounces away from the opponent and can be wickedly difficult to return. A short, low, cross-court slice can be very tricky for guys with extreme FH grips. Overall I think the FH slice is the most underrated shot in tennis. What do you think? Does anyone here hit many FH slices?

P.S. I mean slice from the baseline. Slice approach shots are a widely accepted shot that most people hit.

Much of our coaching is influenced by how Jrs are coached. Their coaches are concerned about them using it to be lazy and hate to see them not develop the big Fh at every opportunity. THe slice Fh absolutely has several outstanding uses.

 

[mightyrick]

When your opponent just made you run across court and the ball is 2 feet behind you on your forehand, just don't bother to swing at it because only Federer should try that shot? It's used when there is no other alternative, and it really isn't that difficult.

Ah, ok. Yes. I missed one. The lunging running squash shot. That would also qualify as a forehand slice. I stand corrected.

 

[Sir Shankalot]

Does anyone have any link to a good video about how to hit a decent FH slice?

Still vaguely on-topic.

I went to hit yesterday and after I had finished I watched a couple of players on an adjacent court. One of them was pretty old, around 70 but in decent shape, and he hit all his forehands with slice. This guy is still pretty good, and back in the day I'm told he used to win all sorts of local tournaments. And wow, these were great slices: clearing the net by less than a foot, lots of pace, landing in deep NML and skidding through fast and low. Nice.

So I thought to myself "wow, I wish I had that shot in my armoury."

Thing is, the reason I don't hit FH slice very often is that I'm terrible at the shot. My BH slice is OK but the FH just pops up, floats, and then just sits there after the bounce saying "hit me".

Does anyone have any link to a good video about how to hit a decent FH slice?

 

[dman72]

It's a shot I feel is necessary once you get into late middle age pushing senior. The knees don't want to bend as much and the body isn't as limber. If you're going to arm the ball, you're better off with slice. The club hacker in my league is in his mid 60's and has been playing there since the place opened in the 70's..hits exclusively slice..he's basically the litmus test for anyone coming in.

 

[movdqa]

There are several guys at my club that play this style. One is an older 4.5 - 5.0 player and he hits flat to slightly sliced shots with moderate pace. The guy is in good shape (he does weights and cardio regularly). The guy looks effortless. He plays a 5.0 at the club most of the time who uses classic strokes and the 5.0 always wins. He's played a friend with classic/modern strokes who is also 4.5/5.0 and the guy with the classic/modern strokes wins too.

I see other older players that are lower level, some out of shape, that slice everything - just moderately, some in shape and some out of shape. Some of these guys have granny sticks and the ball can go all over the place if their timing is slightly off.

Those with modern strokes are probably used to putting in a lot of effort into hitting their groundstrokes. I don't think that you can do that with slice shots unless you put most of the effort into generating spin.

 

[mightyrick]

Does anyone have any link to a good video about how to hit a decent FH slice?

Go to YouTube and look up "Brent Abel Forehand Slice". You'll find a few.

As old as he is, Brent is still a great player. Also, his style is primarily Serve/Volley/Chip/Charge. So he's exactly the kind of coach to watch if you're wanting to add some versatility to your net game.

 

[dman72]

Go to YouTube and look up "Brent Abel Forehand Slice". You'll find a few.

As old as he is, Brent is still a great player. Also, his style is primarily Serve/Volley/Chip/Charge. So he's exactly the kind of coach to watch if you're wanting to add some versatility to your net game.

Beat me to it. More specifically, look up "Brent Abel-squash shot"..that's the best video regarding that shot for the rec player that I could find.

 

[jersey34tennis]

i finally can add a post where i feel like it is 100% under the radar and i'm surprised nobody picked up on it. monica niculescu slices sooo much on the forehand

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9CWbNQ-O5E

 

[sovertennis]

i finally can add a post where i feel like it is 100% under the radar and i'm surprised nobody picked up on it. monica niculescu slices sooo much on the forehand

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9CWbNQ-O5E

Yes--watched her at the Italian Open last year absolutely bedevil her opponent with her forehand slice. It is an effective and idiosyncratic shot for her, but wouldn't work for most players.

I find the slice forehand useful as a squash shot, and as a neutralizing shot against a player who likes to hit a slice bh down the line that lands mid court, low, and with some pace. It's often tough to hit topspin in reply, so I often try to slice it back deep and keep the point going.

 

[TCF]

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[movdqa]

i finally can add a post where i feel like it is 100% under the radar and i'm surprised nobody picked up on it. monica niculescu slices sooo much on the forehand

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9CWbNQ-O5E

It didn't seem to work against Lisicki. Many of her slice forehands came up short and Lisicki just hit it deep to the corner and came to the net. The slice forehand sits up for an easy volley.

Yes, in any sport, the person with an oddball stroke, shot, move, etc. can confuse other players but there's often a reason why the oddball stroke isn't used very much.

 

[TCF]

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[10sGrinder]

How about Santoro?

Exactly what we tell kids who fall in love with it and win short term with it. There is a teeny tiny kid down here winning in the 12s with crazy slices on both sides. Won't last.

Just out of curiosity, where do these kids come up with it in the first place? I've worked with lots of kids and it's never even been an option except on the approach. Do you show them the shot as a defensive shot (a la Federer) and then then start using it as a rally shot?
Also, I didn't see any mention of Fabrice Santoro, who pretty much made a living with different spin shots. I wonder if he would have gone further without all the junk balls he hit, or did the junk make him a better player (results wise) overall?

 

[Sir Shankalot]

It didn't seem to work against Lisicki. Many of her slice forehands came up short and Lisicki just hit it deep to the corner and came to the net. The slice forehand sits up for an easy volley.

Yes, in any sport, the person with an oddball stroke, shot, move, etc. can confuse other players but there's often a reason why the oddball stroke isn't used very much.

Yes, but just imagine if (as a rec player I assume) you can hit both topspin, flat and nasty slice. This confuses the hell out of opponents.

As a lefty, I know the power of variety off my BH hand side in the deuce court. I can hit topspin backhand, flat backhand, slice backhand, or IO forehand. Four different spins, four different looks. On my FH side I can only hit topspin and so I am more predictable.

 

[mightyrick]

Just out of curiosity, where do these kids come up with it in the first place? I've worked with lots of kids and it's never even been an option except on the approach. Do you show them the shot as a defensive shot (a la Federer) and then then start using it as a rally shot?
Also, I didn't see any mention of Fabrice Santoro, who pretty much made a living with different spin shots. I wonder if he would have gone further without all the junk balls he hit, or did the junk make him a better player (results wise) overall?

Even though Santoro was hailed for his singles ability to frustrate a couple of top singles players from time to time, his singles play is a shadow compared to what he did in doubles. Santoro was one of the few doubles players would could blow the Bryan Brothers off the court regardless of who his partner was or what the surface was.

In singles, he had some fun rallies and was entertaining to watch, but let's be real... he wasn't that great of a singles player. His technique greatly inhibited his ability to find success in singles.

 

[movdqa]

Yes, but just imagine if (as a rec player I assume) you can hit both topspin, flat and nasty slice. This confuses the hell out of opponents.

As a lefty, I know the power of variety off my BH hand side in the deuce court. I can hit topspin backhand, flat backhand, slice backhand, or IO forehand. Four different spins, four different looks. On my FH side I can only hit topspin and so I am more predictable.

The better players that I hit with can do all of this. And they have no problems when they encounter it. Most of the people that I hit with can hit slice, flat and topspin forehands and backhands. There are varying degrees of strength on various types depending on the grip. These players usually have continental to semi-western grips.

One guy I play with can play left-handed or right-handed including serving. He's a natural rightie but had a shoulder injury about ten years ago and developed a left-handed game.

If someone is junk-balling you with funny slices, you need to really move your feet and gauge where the ball is going to land and then move to to keep it in your swing zone - and then just hit it like a normal shot.

There's been quite a few threads on what some consider strokes and shots that are unconventional to them. A lot of these types of shots are in the arsenal of classic players - if you want to learn how to play against these shots, play against more classic players. There are a lot of them out there - though they may be older.