What position should your wrist be during a forehand slice?

lidation

Rookie
I am practicing my forehand slice againt a wall this afternoon and now my right hand wrist feels funny. Not pain but it seems something is wrong. I suspect that I did something wrong during my slice.

I tried to keep my wrist neutral (not locked back, nor locked forward) during the slice.

How do you guys doing? You don't lock back your wrist just like a forehand ground stroke?
 

Rickson

G.O.A.T.
I am practicing my forehand slice againt a wall this afternoon and now my right hand wrist feels funny. Not pain but it seems something is wrong. I suspect that I did something wrong during my slice.

I tried to keep my wrist neutral (not locked back, nor locked forward) during the slice.

How do you guys doing? You don't lock back your wrist just like a forehand ground stroke?

Fh slice is my specialty and my wrist is slightly in extension during the slice. Extension means that your knuckle side goes up and flexed is when your finger side goes up.
 

Rickson

G.O.A.T.
huh? which knuckle are u talking about?
People often confuse flexion and extension. I'm talking about the wrist being in the extended position which means that the back of your hand, not the palm side, bends, not a specific knuckle. Flexion means that the palm side bends like when you do a bicep pose.
 

tbini87

Hall of Fame
i actually put my wrist forward in order to open the face of the racquet, but that causes my forearm to get tired, not pain in my wrist... don't know what you could have done.
 

lidation

Rookie
People often confuse flexion and extension. I'm talking about the wrist being in the extended position which means that the back of your hand, not the palm side, bends, not a specific knuckle. Flexion means that the palm side bends like when you do a bicep pose.


So is it just similar to the laid-back wrist during the forehand groundies?
 

WBF

Hall of Fame
The forehand slice is a shot you really should *not* be practicing. Unless you are playing against incredibly hard serving opponents, in which case you should essentially use a forehand volley if you can't take a full or even compact swing.
 

Bungalo Bill

G.O.A.T.
The forehand slice is a shot you really should *not* be practicing.

For those that can hit a forehand slice it IS something they should be practicing. To those that can wield the racquet to hit this shot can prove to their opponents that it is indeed a weapon to contend with.

Unless you are playing against incredibly hard serving opponents, in which case you should essentially use a forehand volley if you can't take a full or even compact swing.

So then it should be something we should practice. I run into big servers all the time. Since I do, does this mean I should be practicing it now?

The truth is the forehand slice is a stroke that has fallen by the waste side due to the topspin game and because a majority of players have an easier time hitting with topspin rather then underspin on this side. However, this does not mean the forehand slice is non-existent or is a stroke of the past. There are plenty of situations a forehand slice can come into play. I fall into the camp that it should be practiced but maybe not practiced as much as your primary strokes such as for approach shots.

On the other hand, some players hit a forehand slice so well that it is a primary weapon in their. In this case, they should practice this shot as they would any other primary stroke they use. I have played players with a forehand slice that can eat players alive with this shot. Some of the main characteristics of this stroke are:

1. It can be very deceptive!!!!

2. A person with touch on this shot can place the ball exceptionally well!

3. Some players use it for their approach.

4. Can be hit with pace which cuts through the air.

5. Stays low to the ground forcing players to hit up. This can be a major threat to extreme grip players.

The toughest thing with the forehand slice is control. Controlling the wrist angle, developing a good grip for the player, and controlling the elbow, can take a lot of practice to get this stroke down.
 
Last edited:

lidation

Rookie
For those that can hit a forehand slice it IS something they should be practicing. To those that can wield the racquet to hit this shot can prove to their opponents that it is indeed a weapon to contend with.



So then it should be something we should practice. I run into big servers all the time. Since I do, does this mean I should be practicing it now?

The truth is the forehand slice is a stroke that has fallen by the waste side due to the topspin game and because on the forehand side the majority of players have an easier time hitting with topspin then underspin. However, it does not mean that a forehand slice is non-existent or is a stroke of the past. There are plenty of times a forehand slice can come into play. I fall into the camp that it should be practiced but will conquer that maybe not practiced as much as your primary strokes.

On the other hand, some players hti a forehand slice so well that it is a primary weapon. In this case, they should practice this shot as they would any other primary stroke they use. I have played players with a forehand slice that can eat you alive with that shot. Some of the main characteristics of this stroke are:

1. Deceptive!!!!

2. A person with touch on this shot can place the ball exceptionally well!

3. Some players use it for their approach.

4. Can be hit with pace.

5. Stays low to the ground.

The toughest thing with the forehand slice is control. Controlling the wrist angle, developing a good grip for the player, and controlling the elbow, can take a lot of practice to get this stroke down.


Exactly, I practice slice for a number of reasons in addition to the ones stated above:
1. It's an effortless shot (comparatively), which saves you strength. I am not a pro and I won't be a pro nor will I be touring match in the future. I just enjoy this game.
2. For high balls, I found that the slice is an effective shot.
3. It bounces lower than flat or topspin balls, which makes it very hard for the component to return.

One of the guys I played with (3 - 3.5) uses slice all the time.
 

WBF

Hall of Fame
I suppose I should have clarified my position and not taken such an extreme stance.

There are many players who could benefit from the shot. There are others who wouldn't, and others who might ruin their normal strokes in an attempt to develop this stroke.

I agree with the stance that it should be practiced, but perhaps not more than one's stronger strokes.

My position may be a bit biased, as I have never come across anyone with a forehand slice that could even remotely be described as a weapon (vs. a defensive or even last-ditch-option-before-throwing-the-racquet shot). I suppose I shouldn't assume that no such people exist, would be a bit naive.

I should also point out that when I say it shouldn't be practiced, I mean you shouldn't take a lot of time out of your normal schedule to work on the other shot over others. I think for many players slight adjustments to a forehand volley motion work wonders.

One of the guys I played with (3 - 3.5) uses slice all the time.

I was more or less saying that doing this is what you shouldn't do. Using it in moderation is one thing, but you're going to give yourself an unnecessary ceiling of potential if you use it as your primary stroke.
 

Bungalo Bill

G.O.A.T.
I suppose I should have clarified my position and not taken such an extreme stance.

I understood what you meant. The phrase you used to not practice this stroke came around some time in the 80's and 90's because the forehand slice became a thing of the past. In the pro game this was apparent with the onslaught of the topspin game. However, a few all-court players were still crafting their way to the net and using the forehand slice when deemed appropriate - like Pete Sampras.

When this phrase started to spread many players that could hit an excelltn forehand slice were left scratching their heads. The forehand slice in the pro game became a secondary shot used in certain situations.

However, at the club level it is another story. Because many players will never go pro and the game is slower (another reason the slice forehand left the pro game as a primary weapon - harder to control with heavy fast paced balls bombarding you all the time), the slice forehand is still a deadly weapon in the hands of a player that knows how to hit one.

There are many players who could benefit from the shot. There are others who wouldn't, and others who might ruin their normal strokes in an attempt to develop this stroke.

I agree with the first part but not the second part. Just as practicing your volleys does not ruin your groundstrokes, practicing the forehand slice is not going to ruin your forehand or backhand. It is simply another stroke.

However, you are right some players have it and others don't. This is why I am glad I played in an era that used it often. Coming from yesteryear, we practiced all the strokes. Although my game is a topspin game now, and I use a mild SW grip and a twohanded backhand, I will still slice on both sides if I want to mix things up or I see the perfect time to use it. I am very glad I am able to have this opportunity.

I agree with the stance that it should be practiced, but perhaps not more than one's stronger strokes.

If it is a shot the person owns, it should be practiced often. If it is used as a secondary shot it should be practiced as such. If a person simply does not like hitting this stroke or for some reason can't - it probably shouldn't be practiced at all.

My position may be a bit biased, as I have never come across anyone with a forehand slice that could even remotely be described as a weapon (vs. a defensive or even last-ditch-option-before-throwing-the-racquet shot). I suppose I shouldn't assume that no such people exist, would be a bit naive.

They exist - believe me they exist. It hurts to lose to them because you don't expect too. :)

I should also point out that when I say it shouldn't be practiced, I mean you shouldn't take a lot of time out of your normal schedule to work on the other shot over others. I think for many players slight adjustments to a forehand volley motion work wonders.

Again that depends on a persons game. At the club level their are plenty of players that utilize the forehand slice for whatever reason - even for doubles!

I was more or less saying that doing this is what you shouldn't do. Using it in moderation is one thing, but you're going to give yourself an unnecessary ceiling of potential if you use it as your primary stroke.

Maybe, but many players here will never become a pro. Some are young some are older. To say something so finite is not considering the players that might benefit from the stroke or health reasons can only hit that stroke so they can enjoy playing tennis and getting some exercise.
 
Last edited:

WBF

Hall of Fame
Sigh, stop rationally picking my posts apart!

Anyhow, if one isn't concentrating on improving their game to it's fullest potential (read: social players, players happy at their current level, players physically incapable of certain advancements), then I agree. Even then I suppose it's always better to have a shot vs. not.
 

Bungalo Bill

G.O.A.T.
Sigh, stop rationally picking my posts apart!

Rationally? I don't rationally pick anyone. If you post something that isn't correct and someone else has knowledge about that - they will seek to correct you. It is the nature of these boards.

Anyhow, if one isn't concentrating on improving their game to it's fullest potential (read: social players, players happy at their current level, players physically incapable of certain advancements), then I agree. Even then I suppose it's always better to have a shot vs. not.

Okay, fair enough.
 

bad_call

Legend
only knew a few players that used the FH slice with any frequency. imo it was more of a positional play than a weapon. i knew a couple big servers that had a chip and charge game so the stroke was well honed. it has it's use however somewhat limited...
 

Mountain Ghost

Professional
Forehand Slice

Practicing a forehand slice against a wall won’t give you anywhere near the real-life return needed to develop it. It will come off the wall so low and slow that it will only simulate a dink that you might want to approach against.

But more to the point, be careful about your motivation for wanting to “develop” it? Everyone who works on “perfecting” a shot tends to use that shot more often (either as a primary weapon or as a fallback), even at those times when they should be using something more effective or aggressive. I understand the need for a forehand slice in certain situations, but to really “work” on it and place it anywhere near the top of the weapons list? I don’t think so.

My forehand slice is excellent because I grew up during the age of more moderate grips and “lighter” balls, when there was a bit more room to “play” around. I actually find it to be a fun shot, but now I use it mainly to live-feed deep and accurate floaters to students, since it just gets eaten up by anyone capable of really hitting the ball. I’d advise practicing a TOPSPIN forehand in almost EVERY situation that a slice forehand might come in handy, so as to expand ITS range of usability.

As for the OP . . . keep the wrist firm and in a neutral position. Unlike a forehand volley, which can have more of a high to low path to it, the handle should still lead, but with a relatively level (through the ball) swing.

MG
 

EricW

Professional
The high forehand slice on the run has become very popular on the tour recently. They a lot of times call it the "squash shot". It's a good thing to learn.

You also should learn how to hit a forehand slice approach shot although it won't serve you as well as a backhand slice approach shot not because you can hit it better on the backhand side, but because you can pick up lower balls easier with the forehand as opposed to a 2hander or 1hander. Still a good change up and something you should definitely have to up your variety.
 
Last edited:

lidation

Rookie
I played 2 hrs daily the last few days against people and I sliced a lot. I must have unconsciously used my wrist during the slice 'cause this morning my right hand wrist has some pain in it and rotating the wrist feels funny -- not smooth, something is stuck in the joint.

I will take a few days of rest and hit against the wall to practice not moving my wrist during a slice.
 

travlerajm

Talk Tennis Guru
Forehand slices can definitely be used as weapons.

I lost to a 5.5 player who just killed me with a forehand slice. Every single time I hit a shot slightly short, he punished me by using a biting, penetrating forehand slice as an a approach shot. These shots were extremely difficult to make a good play on for a passing shot, and he usually finished me off with a volley on the next shot.

As for my own game, I often use the forehand slice whenever I get a ball that is higher than my comfort zone, since I tend to struggle with high balls to my forehand. (In contrast, my favorite balls on my 2hb side are chest to shoulder height, which I can crush for flat winners). I almost always use a forehand slice on the return if the ball is up around shoulder level.

You can count legendary Stanford coach Dick Gould as someone in the camp of those who don't believe in the forehand slice. When I was practicing forehand returns against a ball machine (which was set up to hit hard fast-rising spin serves), I asked Gould for tips on my forehand slice return.
He quickly harumphed, "you don't need a forehand slice!"
 
The forehand slice is a shot you really should *not* be practicing. Unless you are playing against incredibly hard serving opponents, in which case you should essentially use a forehand volley if you can't take a full or even compact swing.

The forehand slice can be formidable depending on the slice you are referring to.
1: high ball slice, when you time it right it can be a powerful shot and make the ball skid off off of the court. Nice for an approach shot and when you take balls on the rise.

2: squash shot, as everyone calls it , this is usually used in an emergency, so it is good to practice this shot

3: side spin slice, another forehand slice that can be a nice approach shot and get the ball away from your oponent or jam your oponent.

Yeah everything is topsin now for the most part, but why not work on all aspects of your game....you never know when you may need it....the only way you can pull off the shots is through practicing them. Do you ever rally and practice say....flat shot, top spin, slice, side spin etc all in one rally?
 
Top