Tip for November 2006
Slice Backhands:
Most players that have problems executing the shot well are often off-balance when trying to hit it, so I think it’s important to start with the basics and try and get your shoulders level so that you will be nicely balanced, even if you’re moving while hitting the ball, like on an approach shot.
When preparing try and take your racket back slightly higher than the height at which you’re going to strike the ball, so that you can swing through the shot from high to low, which will allow you to get the slice on the ball. The angle of the racket face on contact with the ball is the most important thing to think about when trying to hit spin on any shot. If you have the racket face too closed when you’re trying to hit slice then you will end up hitting it too flat, and if it’s too open then you will end up hitting too much spin or the ball will go pretty much straight up in the air. Once you start your swing try and make sure you hit through the ball, and try and finish the stroke with your racket pointing somewhere in the direction of the area of the court you’re aiming for, which will stop you swinging too wildly and losing control of the shot.
And, last but not least, always remember to watch the ball! Most players are guilty at one time or another of missing shots because they start to look at their target area instead of concentrating on the shot.
Adam.