Slice technique: drop volley and attacking shots

Slice6:20Sep 28, 2020

Key takeaway from our Guru

When should I use slice in padel?

Use slice on high balls to keep them low after the back glass, or as a soft drop volley when you are at the net. Avoid using it to force winners; treat it as a setup shot to force a weak return.

What this lesson covers

The slice in padel serves two distinct purposes depending on court position and ball height. For a drop volley, the objective is to generate maximum backspin by brushing underneath the ball. This requires a short take-back and fast racket head speed to create friction while maintaining a soft touch. Because this shot is inherently risky, it is best reserved for waist-height balls rather than high ones where getting under the ball is difficult.

In contrast, the attacking slice is used for power with enough rotation to keep the ball low after it hits the back glass. The swing starts slightly above the ball, moving in a horizontal direction with an open racket face. Leading with the hand rather than the wrist ensures the brush occurs naturally through contact. Aiming for the corners or toward the glass creates a setup shot that forces the opponent to play a difficult pickup. Practicing against a wall helps develop the feel for how much spin to apply in different game situations.

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Original video

Good for

Skill level

Beginner, Intermediate, High Intermediate, Advanced, High Advanced

Court position

Net

Play style

Offensive

Secondary shot

Volley

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