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.