The backhand slice is one of the most common shots in recreational tennis, yet in most cases the slice is floating up too high and is easy to attack.

The following backhand slice tip helps you develop that extra bite on the slice (whether backhand or forehand) and change the slice from a simple neutral shot to a more offensive one.

The Biting Backhand Slice

The feel exercise of cutting the net is one of the final polishing techniques one needs to add to one’s tennis backhand slice technique in order to make the slice more effective and not sit up in the air.

Instructional Diagram
Instructional Diagram

Imagine "slicing" the net open with your backhand slice

As I mentioned in the video, to add bite to your slice backhand, you should:

  • Make a long cut – imagine making a meter (3–4 feet) long slice into the net;
  • Slice the net from tape down and don’t change the racquet path – keep it in a straight line until you stop touching the net and only then lift the racquet into the follow-through;
  • Alternate between the feel drill of slicing the net and hitting backhand slice shots from the baseline; and
  • Accelerate a few times with full speed as that will help you engage your whole body into the shot and feel which parts of the body you can use to generate power. Oftentimes, players are too focused on their arm movement and thus disengage the legs. The legs, hips and the trunk are the main energy sources for all shots including a backhand slice.

Note that you can use this exercise of cutting the net for your forehand slice, and it will also improve the bite on your volleys as most volleys need to be hit with a slight slice.

Of course, with the extra speed of the racquet head, you will increase the risk of missing since the ball will go lower above the net and travel faster.

Therefore, it will still take you some time to master the backhand slice shot as a more offensive stroke in tennis.

You will also need to learn when to actually apply that extra bite for more offensive situations or use a slower, floating slice when you’re pushed out of the court and need to buy yourself time to get back in the correct recovery position.

Feel free to let me know in the comments below how this backhand slice tip worked for you!