Forehand slice technique: body weight and contact point

Slice4:13Apr 15, 2020

Key takeaway from our Guru

How do I hit a forehand slice with backspin?

Open your racket face slightly and keep the stroke fluid by finishing the movement behind your back. Make sure to contact the ball in front of your body while transferring your weight from your back foot to your front foot.

What this lesson covers

The forehand slice is reserved for balls arriving between waist and chest height. To execute the stroke, open the racket face slightly to brush underneath the ball. This creates backspin while maintaining a fluid, continuous motion from the setup through to the follow-through. Avoid chopping the stroke or stopping the racket abruptly at impact. Instead, plant the weight on the right foot and transfer that momentum forward into the ball. The ideal contact point is well in front of the body to ensure the shot carries weight and direction.

Common errors include using the slice when the opponents are deep in their court or hitting the ball too flat. Overusing the wrist prevents proper weight transfer and reduces the forward pace of the ball. To improve the feel of the slice, try removing the pinky finger from the racket handle grip. This adjustment allows the racket head to move more freely and promotes a cleaner cutting motion. This lesson is suited for players looking to transition from flat shots to controlled, backspin-heavy forehands.

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Original video

Good for

Skill level

Beginner, Intermediate, High Intermediate

Secondary shot

Forehand

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