How to Hit a Slice Backhand

by: Mike Sprouse / TennisCT

There are many different types or degrees of a slice backhand, and while watching the world's best professionals it takes a discerning eye to spot the subtleties. Time and again, the best pros utilize a slice in myriad ways as offense, defense, variation, and change of pace. The key word here is versatility: hitting a slice backhand confidently regardless of the situation gives you versatility that will keep your opponent off balance.

The best slices, the ones you see players struggle against, are the ones with "bite" that stay low and skid when they hit the other side of the court. It takes hours of practice to get good at, but the payoff is big; it is incredibly difficult to defend against a penetrating slice much less to hit an offensive shot off of one. 

Would it surprise you that biggest keys have to do with head position, shoulder turn, and weight transfer and *not* the racquet itself and certainly not the wrist? Once you have the grip set - I'd recommend picking up the racquet using a continental forehand grip, and then using that as the backhand grip - the racquet path is a downward motion from high to low and then high again. It's pretty easy to practice the motion without a ball.

If you slow the video down and go frame-by-frame, there are a few things to keep in mind: 

  • The first movement of the racquet is straight back. This automatically gets the lead shoulder turned.

  • As you prepare to swing at the ball, the racquet head should start out slightly above the shoulder.

  • The dominant arm (right, in this case) is almost at a 90-degree angle.

  • As the racquet comes forward, the racquet *head* drops towards the level of the ball but the racquet *face* is open.

  • As the racquet face meets the ball, it appears to be exactly perpendicular to the ground. Keep in mind, the swing path is downward so that the under-spin happens naturally. There isn't anything "extra" you need to do with your wrist or hands.

  • As you hit the ball, aim for 10 o'clock on the ball (for a right-hander). 

  • Pay particular attention to your head and it's position. The head stays down and back *way after* impact. This is crucial to hitting a penetrating shot as opposed to a “floater”.

  • As the racquet comes through impact, the face naturally opens back up and the swing path finishes high.

  • Balance transfer is complete and you're ready to split-step for the next shot.