"Hitting the one-handed slice"

Most players that use a one-handed backhand usually have some variety in their shots off that side. Usually, the variety would include a slice backhand. The slice backhand is probably one of the most natural strokes in tennis. Bringing your racquet back to about shoulder height position on the backswing is as natural as blinking your eyes. The trick is in knowing what to do with the racquet from shoulder height position. Most beginners wind up chopping down at the ball miss-hitting it completely, or imparting too much spin on the ball causing it to float or pop up in the air with little or no pace. The slice backhand is accomplished by having your racquet head tilted at impact instead of swinging at the ball with a severely angled swing pattern. It needs less effort than a topspin shot and the ball’s pace and depth can be controlled. The motion involved in slicing your backhand is the reverse of the natural topspin forehand – take your racquet back shoulder high, come down to meet the ball and follow through out in front of you. If your racquet head is moving down as you hit the ball, you’ll brush the back of it and that will put underspin on it. The slice backhand may be used for deep penetrating shots, or to create angles to move your opponent around the court. The slice backhand can also be used to attack the net. The under-spin created by slicing the ball keeps the ball low on its bounce making it a little more difficult for your opponent to hit a passing shot.

This lesson is an excerpt from Bring Your Racquet: Tennis Basics for Kids

www.kirkhouse.com/books/bring-your-racquet