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Hey Ian, the link (both in the description and your comment above) goes to a volley page but the video at the end references a backhand slice video - wrong link maybe?
Wow i tried today and it changed my slice backhand after few tries tremendously. For me personally it was the swing path and not using the wrist that made the change. Thanks :)
A touring pro once told me to change the way I think of a slice backhand from a defensive shot to an offensive shot. Not that it always is, but to mentally approach the shot that way.
I think the slice you teach here is more of the traditional slice technique (used by Djokovic and some other players) which is considered to less effective than the advanced one (used by Federer, Murray, Nabandian,...). Instead of a U-shape swing path, it should be more of a downward diagonal motion to provide more bite to the ground. A U-shape swing path will provide some lift force to the ball, thus makes the ball bounce higher and in turn reduces the bite of the slice. There is a counter-argument saying that the downward-shape slice does not provide the needed pace for the ball to go deep but the keys for deep slices are the close racket face, less steep-angle swing path (more forward than downward) and the power from the muscle when pulling and releasing your shoulder blades; not by using the U-shape swing patch. I enjoy and agree on most of your videos but for this one, I think that the one provided by Tomas in Feel Tennis is better.
I've always had a one handed backhand and the issue i have is having two different grips depending on whether i hit slice or topspin. Just adds another degree of difficulty and decision making that doesn't occur with the two hander
When I slice there's quite some sidespin during the flight so when I slice I aim about 30 cm away from the other side sideline (Dunno what to call it) and that throws my opponents away. Sometimes they even call out before. This is one of my advantages
Ask Ian : Hello Ian my name is kurtis and ive been playing tennis for a month, ive noticed on my forehand sometimes when the ball comes toward me particularly fast i muscle my stroke, should there be any muscle used in your stroke or should it be a completely natural swing after your back swing? In addition what does it mean if you hit the ball, it goes over the net but you hear no pop? thanks in advance keep up the great work!!!!!
I (rightie) am struggling with one-handed backhand return from deuce court when playing dubs. I have semi-western forehand. Any advice on grip to use when waiting to return serve?
Hi, Ian, I was always told to remain sideways on the slice backhand, but in some of your shadow swings, you open up your shoulders to face the net. Is that something you recommend?
That's a really common old school instruction and I don't like it at all, Doofus. For me, it leads to a really restricted feeling swing unless it was a drop shot and/or had very little acceleration to it. The set up/take back should be a bit past perpendicular to the net/baseline. Contact should be made "sideways", and then in most situations its most natural and comfortable to continue rotating forward from there. What coaches are trying to get you to do is a) turn enough and b) not open up too soon. -Ian
I was taught grips not in terms of the location of the knuckle, but in terms of where the "V" is positioned. I find the explanation of the knuckle to be less precise and confusing.
Hello Ian/Kirby, Great video. Can you please compare the differences in preparation between one handed backhand vs slice ? is it a good idea to keep the racket higher over the left shoulder for both strokes or keep racket slight away from left shoulder for one handed backhand ? ( Reference used is based a right handed player). thanks again
That's a good question, ccie. They're very similar, but I'd say the main difference is in the angle of the racquet face due to which grip is best for each stroke. A slice preparation should start much more open (strings facing up) and drive/topspin one hander usually more on edge (strings perpendicular to the court). -Ian
This is an example of bad tennis instructors on RU-vid!! The guy demonstrating at the 5:15 where you should finish is ridiculous ! U Shape? WTF! The modern slice whether it's Fed, Nadal, or Wawrinka, their racquet heads travel parallel to the baseline and certainly not finishing where this guy is demonstrating! Delete this video! Thanks & be safe!
Also something that really helps me achieving a good backhand slice, is to keep my body weight balanced towards the impact point by using the step in to force that shift forward, so that my torso is well balanced while keeping my head down and my racket can go smoothly through the ball towards my target using the racket as a pointer. Excellent movie and keep up the good work!!!
