Comprehensive Slice Backhand Masterclass

Key Points

• L shape with the forearm that is consistent throughout the swing but more pronounced on the backswing
• Big shoulder turn
• Push through your shoulder and lower body, using your entire weight to hit the ball
• Contact point is more to the side of the body and a little further back than your regular backhand, to help with the feeling of bringing the racket through and holding the ball on your strings a little longer for extra control
• To change where you want to hit the ball, either push through more with your body and legs, or shorten and lengthen the stroke depending on the depth you want to hit
• Follow through and hold the L shape at the end without dropping the wrist
• The slice and the backhand volley are very similar, with the slice being a longer swing
• Backhand slice variations include defensive, offensive, approach shots, ones with more stick or pace on the ball and slices that float a little higher
• Early turn and wide lunge on the defensive slice with a nice follow through to float the ball a little higher and give you time to recover to the middle
• Follow through and “hold that glass of water on the finish”, not allowing your wrist to break or drop down
• When the ball is higher, look to carve around the left side of the ball where you can be creative and choose to hit shorter or deeper
• The higher offensive slice that you hit short and angled can bring your opponent forward and open the court
• Once you have the fundamentals of the slice, you can start to use it as a weapon with offensive slice variations
• When approaching down the line, put some side slice where you hit right to left without breaking the wrist
• If your opponent is covering the line or a has a huge forehand, approach crosscourt with more float and depth to give yourself more time to close the net