A video about "how to respond to different types of tennis shots" would be appreciated. Especially, the best way to respond to a slice shot from the opponent.
@@Edkey I sometimes will counter with a topspin bh. But I have to get into a low knee bend position. I find it really satisfying returning a low slice with an aggressive backhand
Agree, particularly a slice that comes to your forehand...needs recognition and the knowledge that you need to respond with lots of topspin and if its bouncing through low, the need to stay low in the shot.
I used to play slice a lot for exactly that reason. A year ago I changed to hitting one-handed topspin backhands almost exclusively both in training and in matches. This raised my level remarkably, because it puts the opponent under a lot more pressure. The topspin should be the standard and a slice can help to add some variation afterwards.
Dein Vater war mein Trainer und ich habe nur gute Erinnerungen an die Sessions mit ihm als Kind in der 90ern. Schön zu sehen, dass du noch dabei bist ❤️
Perhaps it is the easiest shot in tennis, but it is also one of the most effectiv ones, and if you can play an aggressive slice, it is one of the most dangerous shots, just remember the best backhandslice ever, Steffi Graf ;-)
Today’s is Ash Barty. I copy hers. I am a lefty 3.5 player and can also hit with topspin. I will follow the advice in practicing/warming up with not utilizing my backhand slice so much. My topspin BH needs to develop more power which means setting up and following through properly😎
The slice is a versatile shot. Good slicers are automatically also good volleyers and good dropshotters. They can also be aggressive with the slice approach shot.
I absolutely agree, not only physically less demanding but also to use when you are not standing perfect for backhand, especially one handed backhand one has to stand in perfect position, but it is good to practice aggresive slice like Steffi Graf, Roger or Ashley Barty, is very good shot for changing rhythm, getting time to recover or approaching net after getting short low ball, I used to play it as defensive shot but couple of years I am practising it and love it, but as you say makes one sometimes Lazy, it is co comfortable that one tenis to overplay that
I’ve been playing two years and the backhand slice is my most difficult shot. I can do a drop shot backhand but a slice I just hit the ball with the side of my racket. The forehead slice is my best shot. It’s easy and effective if not too low. My topspin forehand flies into the fence or into the net weakly. I’m not lazy either
I am an old high school tennis and UST Junior coach. I agree with Nick’s opinion and assessment on the slice backhand. So many players are either late to get in position or lazy in their shot selection when they use overuse this shot. Don’t misunderstand my comment because I teach that every shot should have a purpose, placement and a variety of spin, pace and net clearance to help set up each point. Shots can be offensive, neutral or defensive depending on where the ball lands, your court position, opponents court position, plus game and set score. I will add the the type of court surface , speed and bounce height are factors that are part of your shot selection. Personally like to mix up my spins but hitting a low bounce slice especially on the approach or at a sharp cross angle that pulls my opponent out wide is one of my favorite placement shots to set up a point.
I've been focusing on not relying on my slices. I built that habit out of my game the past month and my match play has sky rocket. I can finally be more offensive instead of mostly defensive!
@@warehouse13graphicsolutions oh definitely. I love my slice so much, but I was at a point of only using it in matches cause I was not confident in my BH. But now, I can use both my slice and BH when it is best. Game changer now that I can put some pace on my BH.
Haha that’s funny. For me I feel I’ve gotten so good at playing defensive that I want to continue playing this way. Started off as scared tennis or just having bad technique but it works so well now. I’ve strengthened that playstyle so much. I end up winning a lot against players who have been playing for much longer and win much more. However the funny thing about me here is I can’t backhand slice. I always do flat or tops in backhands. The slice backhand is not natural to me. Forehand slices come natural to me and I recently found out I can do those quite well. I don’t want to rely on it like you said tho lol. Now I’m getting better playing more and want to learn even better technique and skill to add to my defensive arsenal lol.
I seem to be the opposite of most in that my backhands (one-handed) are just about all topspin because I have no confidence in my slice. I've been practicing and in my head I picture the way Steffi Graf used to hit it. She had the high-low-high follow through and she generated a lot of racket-head speed. My other problem is answering when my opponent slices. Again, I'm getting better but still striking the ball a bit gingerly. I need to let it rip. Anyway, enjoyed the video as always.
Great video learned a lot! I have a two hand topspin drive backhand and am working on a one hand slice for variety so it doesn’t come natural to me. I can’t get consistent with my grip and high vs low balls to not pop it up and get some pace on it.
Hey Nick, if you haven’t covered it already, I’d love to see a video on how you hit the ball cross court vs down the line. I (and many others) do this intuitively, but not sure I really understand what my body is doing when I do this. Now, it seems obvious that the ball will go where the face of the racquet is pointing (I like the adage “The face sends it, the path bends it” as highlighted in Essential Tennis’ recent post), but how I get the face pointing in those directions is of interest to me. The two options that immediately pop into my mind are either 1) I subtly adjust the angle of my wrist lag at contact, but hit the ball at the same contact point in front of me; or 2) I preserve the same wrist lag angle at contact, but adjust my contact point so cross court shots are more in front of me, and down the line shots have a “later” contact point. Can you clarify what are bodies are doing when we intuitively hit it one way or the other? Thanks!
Hi Nick, I'm in Florida till sometime in May. Would you be up for a tennis lesson and maybe do a video. I'm ok on camera, which you can see from my videos.
Slicing is no bad habit but a remedy. I manage to get rid of wrist pain by resorting to FH slice. Of course I lose more often than not due to lack of aggressive FH shots. But it's way better than quit playing tennis at all because of the wrist injury. I'm working on offense tactics though. But I'm still confident that your conventional approach to tennis will worsen my wrist problem. You cannot tell the likes of Niculescu to stop slicing since she reached #28 of WTA with that strategy. And you can hardly feel the pain of those who were born with a weak wrist. Very apathetic indeed. .
There are three types of slices that you can hit on a one handed back. 1) typical backspin slice 2) slice that skid to the right 3) slice that bounced to the left. (it's all in the wright)
I've saw a "tip" that is closing a bit the grip from continental. That actually helped me but I'm wondering if that is going to affect a "long term" progression of the shot
hey i think most amateuer players have the problem the other way round. i rarely hit slice in matches not trusting my execution and will always fall back to my double-handed backhand :(
World #1 Ash Barty slices almost everything on her backhand. and she wins Slams. so.... i'm gonna keep mixing up slice and drive on my backhand. I also Slice on my forehand sometimes just to keep it low and mix things up on my opponent during matchplay
when I see someone just hitting slice or for that matter even a one-hand backhand I hit high heavy balls to backhand side. eventually I get a short ball or they miss. This is at the 4.5 level. IF someone hits just slice I attack asap as I will win more points at net then they will trying to pass or lob me.
Hello Nikola! Please make a video about Fabrice Santoro's two handed forehand and two handed forehand slice. I know it sounds crazy, but his two handed forehand slice was killer shot... thank you in advance Nik! @intuitivetennis
I would argue that running wide for 2 handed backhands is more demanding than any other shot because a player has to do this over and over again. Many players nowadays especially on the women's side are terrified of coming to the net. In those cases these types of players will very seldom have to hit an overhead.
Many NextGen players could use a better slice, I think. As for the most physically exhausting shot, I missed the mark, but I definitely understand why. The physics side especially combined with a bit of biology.
If it's so easy why can't the majority of WTA players play this shot? It's a big reason why ash barty is no. 1....her slice is a point of difference. I've been curious about this observation for a while now
On paper...the serve, cause it depends ONLY to you. In real life, after decades of playing/coaching, probably the forehand slice, also known as "chop". Ciao.
I actually find the forehand is the easiest shot. Backhand slice I feel you really need your body and feet to be perfect..... to do effectively anyway.
Yes exactly, pros that only hit slice backhand also are incredible at running around the backhand. At the rec level only slicing on the backhand side is a weakness
In my early 40's, I developed elbow pain because I overhit backhand slice. Pain eventually went away when I admitted my physical limitations and slowed the stroke down. If anything, my backhand improved doing that.
BTW physically the most demanding shot in tennis is ambidextrous FH. Just imagine Federer hitting a massive left-handed FH winner. Of course he can't do it since he's only a human.
Backhand Slice Lesson with Shamir 👉🏻 ruclips.net/video/d-VvKDgoIew/видео.html
Sir which state are you live in America
A video about "how to respond to different types of tennis shots" would be appreciated. Especially, the best way to respond to a slice shot from the opponent.
I'd like a lesson on responding to a low slice to your backhand
@@LTBlightthebeam with another low slice
@@Edkey I sometimes will counter with a topspin bh. But I have to get into a low knee bend position. I find it really satisfying returning a low slice with an aggressive backhand
Agree, particularly a slice that comes to your forehand...needs recognition and the knowledge that you need to respond with lots of topspin and if its bouncing through low, the need to stay low in the shot.
Excellent topic. Yes do a video on this
I used to play slice a lot for exactly that reason. A year ago I changed to hitting one-handed topspin backhands almost exclusively both in training and in matches. This raised my level remarkably, because it puts the opponent under a lot more pressure. The topspin should be the standard and a slice can help to add some variation afterwards.
Exactly it’s not good to rely too much on slice being a one hander myself
I agree & had same experience
I found it very hard mentally to make this change
It's so nice to have a tennis tutorial vid that isn't 20 minutes long, thanks man
Dein Vater war mein Trainer und ich habe nur gute Erinnerungen an die Sessions mit ihm als Kind in der 90ern. Schön zu sehen, dass du noch dabei bist ❤️
Perhaps it is the easiest shot in tennis, but it is also one of the most effectiv ones, and if you can play an aggressive slice, it is one of the most dangerous shots, just remember the best backhandslice ever, Steffi Graf ;-)
So. Very. True.
Today’s is Ash Barty. I copy hers. I am a lefty 3.5 player and can also hit with topspin. I will follow the advice in practicing/warming up with not utilizing my backhand slice so much. My topspin BH needs to develop more power which means setting up and following through properly😎
Ah no. Roger Federer’s backhand slice is the finest in tennis. End of story.
Thx for this advice...majority of my backhand shots are slices bc of my poor confidence w 2h bh. Will practice more and get out of this habit
The slice is a versatile shot. Good slicers are automatically also good volleyers and good dropshotters. They can also be aggressive with the slice approach shot.
👍
I absolutely agree, not only physically less demanding but also to use when you are not standing perfect for backhand, especially one handed backhand one has to stand in perfect position, but it is good to practice aggresive slice like Steffi Graf, Roger or Ashley Barty, is very good shot for changing rhythm, getting time to recover or approaching net after getting short low ball, I used to play it as defensive shot but couple of years I am practising it and love it, but as you say makes one sometimes Lazy, it is co comfortable that one tenis to overplay that
I’ve been playing two years and the backhand slice is my most difficult shot. I can do a drop shot backhand but a slice I just hit the ball with the side of my racket. The forehead slice is my best shot. It’s easy and effective if not too low. My topspin forehand flies into the fence or into the net weakly. I’m not lazy either
I am an old high school tennis and UST Junior coach. I agree with Nick’s opinion and assessment on the slice backhand. So many players are either late to get in position or lazy in their shot selection when they use overuse this shot. Don’t misunderstand my comment because I teach that every shot should have a purpose, placement and a variety of spin, pace and net clearance to help set up each point. Shots can be offensive, neutral or defensive depending on where the ball lands, your court position, opponents court position, plus game and set score. I will add the the type of court surface , speed and bounce height are factors that are part of your shot selection. Personally like to mix up my spins but hitting a low bounce slice especially on the approach or at a sharp cross angle that pulls my opponent out wide is one of my favorite placement shots to set up a point.
Best reliable shot in tennis effortless motion that gives spin and that bit more returning reach out wide than two handed backhand on every shot
I've been focusing on not relying on my slices. I built that habit out of my game the past month and my match play has sky rocket. I can finally be more offensive instead of mostly defensive!
A slice can definitely be used as an offensive tool in singles.
@@warehouse13graphicsolutions oh definitely. I love my slice so much, but I was at a point of only using it in matches cause I was not confident in my BH. But now, I can use both my slice and BH when it is best. Game changer now that I can put some pace on my BH.
Haha that’s funny. For me I feel I’ve gotten so good at playing defensive that I want to continue playing this way. Started off as scared tennis or just having bad technique but it works so well now. I’ve strengthened that playstyle so much. I end up winning a lot against players who have been playing for much longer and win much more. However the funny thing about me here is I can’t backhand slice. I always do flat or tops in backhands. The slice backhand is not natural to me. Forehand slices come natural to me and I recently found out I can do those quite well. I don’t want to rely on it like you said tho lol. Now I’m getting better playing more and want to learn even better technique and skill to add to my defensive arsenal lol.
Excellent video. Never knew about the U shaped swing or that the racquet face was more neutral at contact point.
Exactly what I was looking for thank you!
I love the slow raquet pathway explanation as well as the initial and final body posture. WOW! Simpliest, impossible!
I seem to be the opposite of most in that my backhands (one-handed) are just about all topspin because I have no confidence in my slice. I've been practicing and in my head I picture the way Steffi Graf used to hit it. She had the high-low-high follow through and she generated a lot of racket-head speed. My other problem is answering when my opponent slices. Again, I'm getting better but still striking the ball a bit gingerly. I need to let it rip. Anyway, enjoyed the video as always.
Great video, as usual. Could you give us some tips also for slice back on middle/high ball? Robeta Vinci's style!
Great video learned a lot! I have a two hand topspin drive backhand and am working on a one hand slice for variety so it doesn’t come natural to me. I can’t get consistent with my grip and high vs low balls to not pop it up and get some pace on it.
Same one handed backhand slices defo do not come to be natural and easy. Forehand slices do
Great lesson. You had me at "Shamir".
Hey Nick, if you haven’t covered it already, I’d love to see a video on how you hit the ball cross court vs down the line. I (and many others) do this intuitively, but not sure I really understand what my body is doing when I do this. Now, it seems obvious that the ball will go where the face of the racquet is pointing (I like the adage “The face sends it, the path bends it” as highlighted in Essential Tennis’ recent post), but how I get the face pointing in those directions is of interest to me. The two options that immediately pop into my mind are either 1) I subtly adjust the angle of my wrist lag at contact, but hit the ball at the same contact point in front of me; or 2) I preserve the same wrist lag angle at contact, but adjust my contact point so cross court shots are more in front of me, and down the line shots have a “later” contact point. Can you clarify what are bodies are doing when we intuitively hit it one way or the other? Thanks!
ruclips.net/video/Pnpr0Uz9QHI/видео.html
Steffi Graff sliced all the time back then. But absolutely agree coach, slice can become a bad habit because its easy and a safe shot.
Very good title: true, useful...
Thank you
Hi Nick, I'm in Florida till sometime in May. Would you be up for a tennis lesson and maybe do a video. I'm ok on camera, which you can see from my videos.
Slicing is no bad habit but a remedy. I manage to get rid of wrist pain by resorting to FH slice. Of course I lose more often than not due to lack of aggressive FH shots. But it's way better than quit playing tennis at all because of the wrist injury. I'm working on offense tactics though. But I'm still confident that your conventional approach to tennis will worsen my wrist problem. You cannot tell the likes of Niculescu to stop slicing since she reached #28 of WTA with that strategy. And you can hardly feel the pain of those who were born with a weak wrist. Very apathetic indeed. .
There are three types of slices that you can hit on a one handed back. 1) typical backspin slice 2) slice that skid to the right 3) slice that bounced to the left. (it's all in the wright)
I tried with this technique works best!! But it often tends to go cross court.. How to control direction while doing backhand slice
Great video! Do you think Evans is the greatest slicer nowadays?
F López too
I've saw a "tip" that is closing a bit the grip from continental. That actually helped me but I'm wondering if that is going to affect a "long term" progression of the shot
Ash Barty: yes 😅
Steffi Graf was extremely successful with her lazy forehand
Sorry I meant lazy slice
hey i think most amateuer players have the problem the other way round. i rarely hit slice in matches not trusting my execution and will always fall back to my double-handed backhand :(
World #1 Ash Barty slices almost everything on her backhand. and she wins Slams. so.... i'm gonna keep mixing up slice and drive on my backhand. I also Slice on my forehand sometimes just to keep it low and mix things up on my opponent during matchplay
when I see someone just hitting slice or for that matter even a one-hand backhand I hit high heavy balls to backhand side. eventually I get a short ball or they miss. This is at the 4.5 level. IF someone hits just slice I attack asap as I will win more points at net then they will trying to pass or lob me.
how do you hit the slice on the full run ? and modern day slice motion don't work in amateurs
What do you think of Evans slice, it's a floaty slice
It’s very good
Hello Nikola! Please make a video about Fabrice Santoro's two handed forehand and two handed forehand slice. I know it sounds crazy, but his two handed forehand slice was killer shot... thank you in advance Nik! @intuitivetennis
Great analysis 🧐.
Lucky are the players you are coaching!
❤️
I appreciate that
I’m turning 45 this year and my conditioning isn’t what it used to be. But I can hit backhand slices all day long.
The clue: neutral raquet position when ball contact. even for a low incoming balls.
I would argue that running wide for 2 handed backhands is more demanding than any other shot because a player has to do this over and over again.
Many players nowadays especially on the women's side are terrified of coming to the net. In those cases these types of players will very seldom have to hit an overhead.
I agree but every beginner struggle to execute it at first for some reason
Many NextGen players could use a better slice, I think.
As for the most physically exhausting shot, I missed the mark, but I definitely understand why. The physics side especially combined with a bit of biology.
I love the lazy shot😉
I agree….
My coach doesn't want me to learn slice shot, that's why I'm here
Omg I know so many people who just back hand slice as their entire game lol
Are those cars lining up for a pickle-ball tournament?
🤣👏
Steffi Graf and Ash Barty - both predominant slicers who reached the top.
If it's so easy why can't the majority of WTA players play this shot? It's a big reason why ash barty is no. 1....her slice is a point of difference. I've been curious about this observation for a while now
I'm looking forward to Nick playing trolls for their $300.
05:20
On paper...the serve, cause it depends ONLY to you.
In real life, after decades of playing/coaching, probably the forehand slice, also known as "chop".
Ciao.
@@sergiosimbula that's why i said..."on paper"
I actually find the forehand is the easiest shot.
Backhand slice I feel you really need your body and feet to be perfect..... to do effectively anyway.
i would say FOREHAND VOLLEY !!ª!!!!!!!
👍
nick is talking about recreational players not elite pros. maybe up to 5.0 level. imo the biggest mistake people make is trying to play like the pros.
Yes exactly, pros that only hit slice backhand also are incredible at running around the backhand. At the rec level only slicing on the backhand side is a weakness
O
when I have tennis elbow, this is a shot I absolutely have to avoid
In my early 40's, I developed elbow pain because I overhit backhand slice. Pain eventually went away when I admitted my physical limitations and slowed the stroke down. If anything, my backhand improved doing that.
Letter U? Pravi hrvatski shot :) Just kidding ;)
There is no one way to hit a slice. It depends on what you're trying to do with the ball.
like
First again
Yayyy
BTW physically the most demanding shot in tennis is ambidextrous FH. Just imagine Federer hitting a massive left-handed FH winner. Of course he can't do it since he's only a human.
Please don’t call it the easiest shot, I know so many players who struggle with it. Coaches shouldn’t generalize.
Maybe you could do the voiceover while you’re hitting shots that would help so we could see while you’re talking and keep seeing