Backhand Slice - The Most Under-Utilized stroke in Tennis

Next time you are at Forestmeadows, walk around the courts and see how many players attempt to use a backhand slice during points.  Then go to an FSU tennis match and determine how many backhand slices were used.  Then watch a match at the Sony Open, and determine how many backhand slices were even attempted.  Chances are the answer to all three will be identical - As a group, you might see 20% of the people using a backhand slice on 5% of their backhands, with only slight upticks in usage at the collegiate and pro level.

Two years ago I played for fun in an 8.0 mixed doubles league.  I remember two matches specifically in terms of this blog.  The first was a match against a 4.0 man and 4.0 woman.  I chipped every backhand return on the ad court, and I kid you not, not one came back in the court.  I literally won every point with my slice backhand and slice forehand.  Later in the league my partner and I played against a 4.5 man, and a 3.5 woman.  I chipped the woman's serve every time and the man's second serve 50% of the time.  I won 90% of those points without me or my teammate seeing a ball come back over the net and in play.

Now, I can attest to not having the greatest slice backhand in the history of tennis.  However, through the 4.5 level it is extremely effective - especially in doubles.  The ball stays low and out of the strike zone of my opponent, and forces them to hit up.  It will move to the player's right after the bounce.  At 4.5 and below, this is very disconcerting, since they do not account for the spin in their movement to the ball - rendering them out of position.

In doubles, if your opponent is serving and volleying or approaching the net, a soft slice backhand inside the service box to your opponent is an extremely effective shot for a number of reasons.  1) You kill all the pace, forcing your opponent to have to generate pace on the volley.  At lower levels this is a recipe for an error. 2) The ball is low to the feet of the opponent.  This forces the player to have to handle either a half volley or a very low volley.  At lower levels this is also a recipe for an error.  3) Because of 1 and 2, your partner can be more active as more balls will come to the middle of the court and up in response to the chip.

In singles, a cross court slice every 3 or 4 shots is a great way to mix up the pace and spin and keep your opponent from getting into a rhythm.  It also will keep the ball out of their strike zone, and force them to hit a ball with more spin and less pace.  A slice is also a great way to approach the net in singles, or return serve against a difficult serve.

In both games the slice is also the best way to play balls defensively when the ball is too low or too far away to effective hit with topspin or with two hands.

Now, how do you hit an EFFECTIVE slice?

First you must understand the a slice is a combination of underspin and side spin. It it produced by swinging high to low to the contact point, and then following through across the body to the dominant side.  Here are the 3 checkpoints necessary to hit a great slice backhand.  Before we start, this will be a one handed stroke, and our grip is continental.

1) Turn & MAKE A BOX



Notice that Federer has turned and placed the racquet on his left shoulder, with the upper part of the neck of the racquet touching that shoulder.  It is that movement that effectively creates the "box" - a series of 90 degree angles. The first 90 degree angle is between the upper arm and forearm, with the 90 degree angle occurring at the elbow.  The second 90 degree angle is between the forearm/wrist and the racquet.

Note the racquet face (the side of the strings that will hit the ball) is facing his opponent more or less.

2) Swing down to the ball & CONTACT WITH THE RACQUET FACE RELATIVELY SQUARE

 Note that the 90 degree angle between Federer's forearm and racquet remains unchanged at contact. This gives him the greatest possible stability. The contact point is at the same distance from the net as his right foot, no too far in front of him.  This contact point position allows him to impart side spin to the ball, as the next photo will show. Note too that Federer's left arm has move backwards to help ensure proper balance.

3) FOLLOW THROUGH WITH BOTH ARMS GOING SIDEWAYS ALONG THE PATH OF THE BASELINE/NET

Notice how Federer's follow through is going to his dominant side (right) and NOT towards his target. Going from a forward swing to contact to a follow through which changes the swing path 90 degrees is the mechanism that accelerates Federer's hand to a maximum level.  This follow through allows him to impart side spin on the ball, which earlier I stated was a function of the contact point being fairly close to him. He is literally brushing the ball from left to right.  Note that the 90 degree angle between his forearm and racquet has only changed slightly, and the racquet head is BELOW his arm.  The side of the strings that hit the ball is facing forward.

This is the new modern way to hit a slice. 

The slice is a necessary shot in all levels of tennis.  It is relatively easy to learn, and can be taught in these three easy checkpoints.  Add this shot to your repertoire, and more wins will follow.