Wow! This was the most comprehensive video I've seen on the different ways to use your slice - both on forehand and backhand. I would love a video dedicated to the chip and charge, especially since most of us our club players and would like to know how/when to use chip/charge on singles and doubles.
@@MeikeBabelTennis This is probably unheard of but I like to finish over my shoulder with the one hand backhand when I want to use the slice as a groundstroke drive instead of just using it just to do a normal slice. So I don't always do normal slices. For Sometimes I like to be more aggressive with the slice.
My own (great) coach really likes your videos. This video is really good. Especially for an old player like me who struggles with court coverage. I don’t do drop shots very much because I think it’s too easy to win against my old-age opponents. The most valuable tip for me is the one where you were pulled out wide and did a cross court slice to gain time to get back in position. Thanks so much! Essential tennis recommended you on their site. Ian would be good to connect with.
Thank you for the video. I usually use a slice as a defensive shot. I hit it deep and low, it's effective against players who get used to hitting the ball from waist level and can't adapt to deep, slow and low balls
Slice up the line when opponent is on the ad side after hitting a crosscourt BH or inside out FH. A low slice up the line and preferably some side spin is a great shot in that situation. They are expecting slice crosscourt when they see slice . So they’re late to get there and also can’t get under it (especially more extreme FH grips) . The FH they hit back can usually be attacked, or they make an error or they end up way out of position. Federer was great at this.
I use slice for : BH & FH defense, FH on moonballs (long or dropshot), drop shot (my fav is BH short cross court), slice BH battles, down the line BH, BH passing-shot, BH lob, and now I’m improving the long low sharp slice. Wheeler nothing else works, I can do en-endless nasty BH slices to break down my opponent.
I learned to play way back in the early 1970’s. My role model for my backhand was the great Ken Rosewall. He had one of the most consistent backhands on tour. He didn’t have lots of underspin like Federer but it stayed low and felt heavy. I use by slice backhand on approach shots, return of serve especially kick serves and in baseline rallies. I like to mix it up and slice cross court on sharp angles into service box so it goes into doubles alley or slice it down the line and come into the net. In doubles I will use slice to chip and charge second serve on add out. My slice doesn’t bounce very high so opponents have to hit up.
I’m a 52 yr old that learned playing by watching tv in the late 80s. Now I play with the high school tennis team in my town. I use all the tips you showed and try to teach them to use them. Sadly every one of them have identical strokes and forms ( they all had professional classes) but lack brains on how to use the court. They try teaching me topspin but I don’t care or like it. I only hit flat and slices on both for hands and backhands.
I have no backhand slice lol but I forehand slice a lot. My opponents hate me but its so satisfying and a very reliable and stable shot for me. Also I use that slice/chip return 80% of the time to stabilize any serve or use it as a way to ensure the ball goes in.
I usually use a forehand slice when I am stretched out wide on the run when there's a lot of incoming pace - it's almost like a squash shot, and I use it if I sense the need to regain court positioning. The only drawback for me is shot selection - sometimes I feel that it might be better (or I find I actually had enough time) to hit a top spin forehand. For the backhand slice, I also use it on neutral rallies - I usually try to get a sense of my opponent's weaker side (e.g. forehand or backhand), especially if they have a tendency to hit flat, or they have a weaker technique so I can break their rhythm or draw errors. What I find is that they'd usually dump the ball to the net or become a lot more tentative, so I can run around their ball and hit a forehand. The slice is especially great on low bouncing / fast surfaces. When my opponent comes into the net I usually use the backhand slice and aim it right at their feet, or so they have to volley very low (e.g. awkward ball), and they have not much pace to work with. Most of the time they'd have to be a very good volleyer to win the point.
Forehand slice approach shot DTL to backhand side!!!! Really useful when you’ve been hitting approach shots with topspin, sometimes the ball with straight out bounce twice because the opponent isn’t ready for it…. However, making em dig it out with their backhand, usually leads to an easy volley or overhead!!!
@@MeikeBabelTennis When I go DTL with the backhand slice, I like to put sidespin on it instead of just skidding the ball all deep and low through the court so I look for at least a Metre of Court Space to aim my slice drive down into when doing a sidespin drive down the line. I want at least a metre of court space away from the lines. As the sidespin slice drive usually stays all straight when I do that shot and swings away on the bounce but sometimes it can wildly swing the ball in the air while crossing over the net so if you are too close near the lines and the ball decides to swing wild on you then it will end up landing into the doubles alley. And that's how I went about cutting down the double alley errors with the slice drive by giving myself more court space to aim into.
To expose and exploit weaknesses. You have to have good footwork and technique to get a well sliced ball back. If they don’t have those, you get shanked and short balls once they get tired.
I've recently subscribed and I'm enjoying your excellent videos. I use slice on both sides for returning very hard serves and hitting on the run. I also use it on the backhand against players with two-handed backhands to force them low. Likewise, I will occasionally throw in a slice 'squash shot' on very high forehands near the baseline to mix it up.
If you use the slinger bag to feed you balls, you can position it at the net and keep the handle up - which is about 1 foot higher than the net. Now you have a great measuring landmark where you can really practice flat slices with low net clearance.
It is particularly useful returning serve against tall big servers. Blocked back at an angle and using their pace, it is a diving ball that if hit right shouldn't bounce up and it isn't easily volleyed if the opponent moves up unless your opponent has been chugging Glucosamine.
I have a few that you did not mention Volley drop with crazy backspin. Especially in doubles when one or both opponents are back. Steffy's pattern with an offensive slice down the line finish. For me it is slightly more returnable for the opponent, but a higher percentage shot than the run around topspin drive. I like those odds. Kill shot against a short chest or head high ball that I can not run around. Slice kill is more reliable for me here.
Back hand slice down the line is just the nicest attack shot. Opponent has to get low, difficult to get power. Most of the time it leaves an reasonable 'easy' volley
I use my slices in doubles as my approach to get into the crosscourt position for Califonia Doubles a la Pat Blaskower in her book "The Art of Doubles". Makes people hit up to me and easier to volley. If they make a mistake my partner gets setup for a kill shot.
Do you have any videos on the topspin one handed backhand technique? I can’t seem to do it properly without it feeling weird, my ball always has side spin or is flat. What’s a good grip and way to practice it?
Why are you hitting the slice approach shots cross court? I can think of reasons, like your are hitting to the backhand plus the ball goes over the lowest part of the net. But still hitting cross court does give a very poor court position and gives the opponent two great angles to pass you.
I like the Fed bait slice.
Your partner at 4:22 made me laugh 😂. Great video also!
Amateur actor :-)
Wow! This was the most comprehensive video I've seen on the different ways to use your slice - both on forehand and backhand. I would love a video dedicated to the chip and charge, especially since most of us our club players and would like to know how/when to use chip/charge on singles and doubles.
Glad it was helpful! And that is a great suggestion! I put it on my "to film" list!
@@MeikeBabelTennis This is probably unheard of but I like to finish over my shoulder with the one hand backhand when I want to use the slice as a groundstroke drive instead of just using it just to do a normal slice. So I don't always do normal slices. For Sometimes I like to be more aggressive with the slice.
You bring them in anytime! Use it to end rallies faster, well at least , I do since I’m older then the players
Short slice down the line as an approach shot is my favorite
That's a great shot to have!
Micheal Stich was great at using that dip slice when the opponent was approaching the net! Never have seen anyone better at it.
That's true, I had forgotten about that!
My own (great) coach really likes your videos. This video is really good. Especially for an old player like me who struggles with court coverage. I don’t do drop shots very much because I think it’s too easy to win against my old-age opponents. The most valuable tip for me is the one where you were pulled out wide and did a cross court slice to gain time to get back in position. Thanks so much! Essential tennis recommended you on their site. Ian would be good to connect with.
I have the same problem . The ladies I play with have very short serves..then I drop shot them..sure winners
I really like Meike's video. I get good ideas for my lesson
Yes, Ian is a great guy. His channel gave me the inspiration to start mine!
Congratulations MEIKE ,7000+ subscribers 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 ,thank you for your slice lesson 👍🏻❤️
And thank you!
Thank you for the video. I usually use a slice as a defensive shot. I hit it deep and low, it's effective against players who get used to hitting the ball from waist level and can't adapt to deep, slow and low balls
Yes, that's how I used it a lot as well
As an older player (exclusively doubles), I occasionally use a forehand slice when returning weaker serves, especially from the ad court...
Yes, that is a great option!
Slice up the line when opponent is on the ad side after hitting a crosscourt BH or inside out FH. A low slice up the line and preferably some side spin is a great shot in that situation. They are expecting slice crosscourt when they see slice . So they’re late to get there and also can’t get under it (especially more extreme FH grips) . The FH they hit back can usually be attacked, or they make an error or they end up way out of position. Federer was great at this.
Yes, that's such a good play. Barty used it, too.
I use slice for : BH & FH defense, FH on moonballs (long or dropshot), drop shot (my fav is BH short cross court), slice BH battles, down the line BH, BH passing-shot, BH lob, and now I’m improving the long low sharp slice. Wheeler nothing else works, I can do en-endless nasty BH slices to break down my opponent.
Great Meike !
Beautiful tennis strokes, great hands !
Many thanks!!
I learned to play way back in the early 1970’s. My role model for my backhand was the great Ken Rosewall. He had one of the most consistent backhands on tour. He didn’t have lots of underspin like Federer but it stayed low and felt heavy. I use by slice backhand on approach shots, return of serve especially kick serves and in baseline rallies. I like to mix it up and slice cross court on sharp angles into service box so it goes into doubles alley or slice it down the line and come into the net. In doubles I will use slice to chip and charge second serve on add out. My slice doesn’t bounce very high so opponents have to hit up.
I’m a 52 yr old that learned playing by watching tv in the late 80s. Now I play with the high school tennis team in my town. I use all the tips you showed and try to teach them to use them. Sadly every one of them have identical strokes and forms ( they all had professional classes) but lack brains on how to use the court. They try teaching me topspin but I don’t care or like it. I only hit flat and slices on both for hands and backhands.
The passage 4:11-4:23 pretty much sums up this entire sport xD
I love tennis!
True!
I have no backhand slice lol but I forehand slice a lot. My opponents hate me but its so satisfying and a very reliable and stable shot for me. Also I use that slice/chip return 80% of the time to stabilize any serve or use it as a way to ensure the ball goes in.
Lovely! Very informative good weapon to use in various occasions. Never know that, enjkoyed this vedeo much. Million thanks!
You're very welcome
I remember elegance of Stefan Edberg with his slice bh approach shot
Wonderful lesson! Thanks 🙏
Thank you!
I usually use a forehand slice when I am stretched out wide on the run when there's a lot of incoming pace - it's almost like a squash shot, and I use it if I sense the need to regain court positioning. The only drawback for me is shot selection - sometimes I feel that it might be better (or I find I actually had enough time) to hit a top spin forehand.
For the backhand slice, I also use it on neutral rallies - I usually try to get a sense of my opponent's weaker side (e.g. forehand or backhand), especially if they have a tendency to hit flat, or they have a weaker technique so I can break their rhythm or draw errors. What I find is that they'd usually dump the ball to the net or become a lot more tentative, so I can run around their ball and hit a forehand. The slice is especially great on low bouncing / fast surfaces.
When my opponent comes into the net I usually use the backhand slice and aim it right at their feet, or so they have to volley very low (e.g. awkward ball), and they have not much pace to work with. Most of the time they'd have to be a very good volleyer to win the point.
I agree with all you say, great use of the slice on all cases!
Great tennis 🎾 lesson. 👍👏🙏
Thank you!
Forehand slice approach shot DTL to backhand side!!!! Really useful when you’ve been hitting approach shots with topspin, sometimes the ball with straight out bounce twice because the opponent isn’t ready for it…. However, making em dig it out with their backhand, usually leads to an easy volley or overhead!!!
Yes, that is a great way to get in!
@@MeikeBabelTennis When I go DTL with the backhand slice, I like to put sidespin on it instead of just skidding the ball all deep and low through the court so I look for at least a Metre of Court Space to aim my slice drive down into when doing a sidespin drive down the line. I want at least a metre of court space away from the lines. As the sidespin slice drive usually stays all straight when I do that shot and swings away on the bounce but sometimes it can wildly swing the ball in the air while crossing over the net so if you are too close near the lines and the ball decides to swing wild on you then it will end up landing into the doubles alley.
And that's how I went about cutting down the double alley errors with the slice drive by giving myself more
court space to aim into.
To expose and exploit weaknesses. You have to have good footwork and technique to get a well sliced ball back. If they don’t have those, you get shanked and short balls once they get tired.
Yes, totally agree!
Great video. Thank you!
I've recently subscribed and I'm enjoying your excellent videos. I use slice on both sides for returning very hard serves and hitting on the run. I also use it on the backhand against players with two-handed backhands to force them low. Likewise, I will occasionally throw in a slice 'squash shot' on very high forehands near the baseline to mix it up.
YES, all great uses. And thank you for subscribing!
If you use the slinger bag to feed you balls, you can position it at the net and keep the handle up - which is about 1 foot higher than the net. Now you have a great measuring landmark where you can really practice flat slices with low net clearance.
That's a great way to gauge your shots!
It is particularly useful returning serve against tall big servers. Blocked back at an angle and using their pace, it is a diving ball that if hit right shouldn't bounce up and it isn't easily volleyed if the opponent moves up unless your opponent has been chugging Glucosamine.
Wawrinka is the guy who does this at a regularly basis against the first serve.
True!
Great examples! You didn't mention slice wide serve deuce side.
Good call!
Great work Couch! Courts looks familiar is it in the US?
I have a few that you did not mention
Volley drop with crazy backspin. Especially in doubles when one or both opponents are back.
Steffy's pattern with an offensive slice down the line finish. For me it is slightly more returnable for the opponent, but a higher percentage shot than the run around topspin drive. I like those odds.
Kill shot against a short chest or head high ball that I can not run around. Slice kill is more reliable for me here.
Yes, those are great ones!
Amazing 🎾✅
Terrific video especially for a rec player like myself
Glad you like it! Feel free to recommend my channel to your tennis friends
Back hand slice down the line is just the nicest attack shot. Opponent has to get low, difficult to get power. Most of the time it leaves an reasonable 'easy' volley
Love it!
Thanks!!
I use my slices in doubles as my approach to get into the crosscourt position for Califonia Doubles a la Pat Blaskower in her book "The Art of Doubles". Makes people hit up to me and easier to volley. If they make a mistake my partner gets setup for a kill shot.
Hi...Thanks for your tips!!... Are you using Ezone 98 or 100?...All the best!!!
I picked the 98.
I like the FH slice esp. for returning fast first serves. Do you turn to closed/neutral stance like BH or is it ok to open up shoulders on FH slice?
Do you have any videos on the topspin one handed backhand technique? I can’t seem to do it properly without it feeling weird, my ball always has side spin or is flat. What’s a good grip and way to practice it?
Here is the video you're looking for! th-cam.com/video/7rV_EkrLy0U/w-d-xo.html
"We have to do it again ' 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I use the backhand slice down the line to advance towards the net
Stays low and the have to hit up to you!
Maybe a video on drop shot?
Yes, absolutely. I already had it on my "how to" film list.
i like slice!
This is great for my HS freshman girl's team!
I use it to attack, to hit a knifing baxkhans slice.
Yes, that is a goodie!
Receiving a soft backhand serve. I’ll back hand slice a drop shot.
I use a slice to bring me forward...I have a good slice..not so good coming over the ball
Slice is great as an approach shot!
One more: underhand serve with side spin 🤘
Did you watch Monfis last night? :)
@@doosrajawad only highlights but they showed 2 great underhand serves with crazy side spin.
th-cam.com/video/Q6yvqfeXU5Y/w-d-xo.html
I saw one underhand serve that was incredible with side spin!
For me, slice is a safety shot
It's always a great option for defense!
👍👍👏👏👋👋
Thank you!
Why are you hitting the slice approach shots cross court? I can think of reasons, like your are hitting to the backhand plus the ball goes over the lowest part of the net. But still hitting cross court does give a very poor court position and gives the opponent two great angles to pass you.
Just for the purpose of the video to then also show the opponent lobbing.
@@MeikeBabelTennis Ok :) Great video though. Love your channel!
50 year old slice, technique, obsolete.
Federer has modern slice.
This instructor should stay in 1974, where she belongs