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Tennis: slice

slice DRILLS
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Backhand slice - Game on!

Players are working cross-court from their backhand corners and have to hit a backhand slice off every single ball. They also have to slice the ball deeper than the service line and cannot dropshot or come to the net. If a player has to hit a forehand or a topspin backhand they lose the point straight away. Players must take it in turns to feed the ball in and the point is played out in this way in the half-court with the tramlines being out, first to 11 points.

Backhand Drills

Backhand slice

Although it's possible to hit a slice from two-hands players should be encouraged to play this shot with one hand as it is far easier and more versatile. Use lots of small steps to prepare and position yourself for the shot - feet should run parallel with the tram lines. Bring the racquet up in preparation for the shot, with your second hand gently holding the throat of the racquet (this hand will release before the shot is played). Swing forward and downward towards the ball (the more downward momentum the more spin will be applied to the ball)

Backhand Drills

Chip and Charge

Player 1 only has one serve. Player 2 returns and follows it into the net to volley or smash. The server should not be allowed to lob the first shot. Player 2 should aim for either a deep return or cross court. Play out the points and first to seven points is the winner.

Serve and Return

Forehand Inside Out (Live ball)

Drill Set-Up:Players start off on centre.Hits first ball back to coach and returns to volley to play inside out forehand.Topic of Emphasis:Players should split stop just prior to coaches hit and then prepare before ball bounces.Players should focus on proper balance.VariationPlayers should alternate the direction and depth.Coach can feed first ball with either top spin or slice.

Forehand Drills

Tennis Chess

Coach hits a variety of shots including :- Top Spin Slice Lob Drives The player has to say aloud which shot it will be as soon as they see it, which could be before the ball is struck.

Coordination / Fun Games

Using the middle to defend under pressure (it's the biggest part of the court after all!)

The coach feeds single ball feeds from the basket putting the player under extreme pressure. Starting from the singles tramline the players must try to hit the ball on the run directly back down the middle of the court to the rectangular target. Players can choose whether they slice or hit over the ball depending on how quickly they can get to the ball. Each player hits just one ball at a time so players waiting must be ready immediately for the next feed and after the shot has been played must jog back to the start position at the back of the court in order to keep the drill continuous. Repeat this drill with the coach feeding from the opposite corner.

Passing Shots Drills

Tennis: Backhand Slice Return ...

Player waits for the serve on the ad side.Coach serves wide from the ad side.Player executes deep backhand slice return in cross-court direction.<br>

General

Slice against slice Forehand D...

Player rallies with a coach using only forehand slices. The player and coach hit in cross-court direction.

General

Get it Deep with Slice Forehan...

Coach feeds balls to the deuce side.Player uses forehand slice to hit the ball deep.

General

Respond To Slice With Slice Ra...

Player serves to the T from the deuce side.Coach hits a backhand slice return down the line.Player hits their own backhand slice and hits the ball in the cross-court direction.

General

Backhand slice - Game on! Back...

Players are working cross-court from their backhand corners and have to hit a backhand slice off every single ball. They also have to slice the ball deeper than the service line and cannot dropshot or come to the net.If a player has to hit a forehand or a topspin backhand they lose the point straight away.Players must take it in turns to feed the ball in and the point is played out in this way in the half-court with the tramlines being out, first to 11 points.

General

Defensive slice off own side F...

The player stands on the baseline and the coach stands in front of the player on the same side. The coach feeds the ball off own side to the deuce corner. The player sprints and hits defensive slice down the line.

General

Doubles Backhand Slice Doubles...

Set up cones coach side on an angle, near the transverse line and doubles alley.Player stands on the deuce side.Coach feeds the balls to the middle of the court.Player executes backhand slice angle cross-court aiming for the cones.

General

Tennis: Backhand Slice Return ...

Player waits for the serve on the ad side.Coach serves wide from the ad side.Player executes deep backhand slice return in cross-court direction.<br>

General

Attacking forehand slice Foreh...

Coach feeds short ball to the forehand side.Player moves inside the court, hits attacking forehand slice deep down the line and takes proper position at the net.

General

Use slice weapon against rival...

Cones are set in the deep zone. The coach feeds balls to the backhand and the player hits a backhand slice aiming into deep zone.

General

Slice and cut it down the line...

Player A executes wide slice serve from the deuce side. Player B hits forehand cross court return. Player A moves diagonally forward and finishes with offensive down the line shot.Drill specifications:1 repetition per setTo make this drill really dynamic players should switch after one point at the serving side. Returning players can switch after few points to guarantee good consistency and more opportunities for the servers to work on the pattern. Waiting players should perform some footwork activities including quick diagonal movement to gain bigger improvements while moving to the ball after the serve.

General

Lob off drop Lob - Tennis Dril...

The player stands on the baseline. Cones mark the deep zone. The coach stands close to the net and feeds a drop shot to the backhand side and takes the racquet up. The player sprints forward and hits deep backhand slice lob off drop shot.

General

Deep Cross-Court & Short Down ...

Player stands on the baseline.Coach feeds balls to the forehand side.Player alternates hitting a deep forehand slice cross-court and a forehand drop shot down the line.

General

Underspin doesn't mean underpe...

2 players rally together in cross court direction. Player A hits all the balls offensively. Player B hits consistent slice shots to keep the ball low after the bounce.Drill specifications:5-10 min per sideWith more players on the court coach can use different approaches according to the goals he wants to achieve. If players need repetitions coach can switch both hitting players after particular number of shots (3 each) to make this drill more dynamic. If players lack of physical preparation better solution is to make 2 players work for a 1 minute while others can perform specific fitness drills. At one time 4 players can work on this aspect (2 playing forehands and 2 playing backhands)

General

Low ball backhand Backhand Dri...

The coach stands in front of the player and feeds low balls to the backhand. The player hits backhand over the net.

General

Tennis: 2 responses from backh...

The coach feeds balls to the ad side. The player alternates hitting backhand down the line and backhand slice down the line.

General

Keep the approach shot low Bac...

The coach feeds medium ball to the ad side, so that the player hits backhand slice approach shot down the line and runs to the net. The coach feeds another ball to the ad side, and the player finishes with backhand volley down the line.

General

Tactical Domination From The A...

Coach feeds balls to the ad side.Player alternates hitting a backhand slice cross-court and an inside out topspin forehand .

General

Confident Topspin Lob Lob - Te...

Player starts the drill by hitting easy high ball to coach.Coach hits offensive smash to the deuce side.Player tries to hit forehand topspin lob down the line.

General

Mixed-spins rally Forehand Dri...

Coach and player rally together in cross-court direction.Coach uses only forehand topspin - player tries to respond using only forehand slice.

General

Backhand Strike Backhand Drill...

Cones are set not too far away from the player.Player self-feeds the ball and hits backhand.Player tries to hit all the cones.This exercise can be done both in individual or team format so coach can make adjustments according to the number of the kids on the court.

General

Step In, Step Out Cross-Court ...

Cones are set on the ad side.Coach alternates feeding short and deep balls to the ad side.Player steps in and hits offensive backhand cross-court off short balls and moves back and hits neutral topspin backhand cross-court off deep balls.

General

Impatient Players Rally Drills...

Player rallies with partner.Player alternates hitting forehand topspin cross-court and backhand slice down the line.

General

Short rally with footwork Back...

Coach and player rally together using backhand strokes from service line.Player has to run around the cone after every hit.

General

slice SESSIONS
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Situational Slice Control | Te...

Different Use of the Slice | T...

Give your players a helping hand on court, by handing them a whole arsenal of shots to work with, from the slice to the drop shot!

Change the Spin - Backhand Sli...

Utilise the backhand slice to control the point by mixing up lengths and pace to dictate where your opponent goes.

Making Slice Friendly For Kids...

This session develops a players ability to hit balls with backspin.

Tactical basics for effective match play

Understand tactical plays to create an advantage on the court by playing shots with a good depth to allow the player to approach the net and finish the point.

Strategy to force mistakes

Attack with purpose and work on your player?s tactics with this session, ready to outfox the opposition

Slicing The Ball Without Fear

To get more comfortable with using the slice in different situations on the court and to understand the factors that are related to executing a high quality slice shot.

Forehand slice to dictate points and force errors

Recognise the value of the forehand slice to start dictating the speed of the point and the position of the opponent to set up winning opportunities or to force errors.

Forgotten Variety - Playing Backspin

To implement backspin as a variety that puts more pressure on the rival and understand tactical opportunities of playing slice in different situations.

You Don't Need Power To Win!

Power isn?t everything in tennis - get to work on your player?s slice with this backspin session!

No Bounce, No Problem

Encourage repetitive hitting so players can start controlling their balance and reactions when at the net.

Worthy Slice From The Forehand Side

To improve control over the sliced, backspin shot from the forehand side.

Implementing down the line shot

Implement the down the line shot into your players? game and get them mixing up their play with this session

Sending and receiving low balls

Help your players to reach low balls and then send their own with this session, working on the right technique and thinking tactically, for the right moment

Forehand Slice in Modern Tennis

Coach the benefits of the forehand slice in the modern game, giving your players an advantage on the court!

The Modern Game: Applying the Backhand Slice

Add variation to your player’s arsenal with the backhand slice, an essential in the modern game!

Backhand slice: Useful defence...

Can your players backhand slice like the Williams sisters? Find out with this defensive backhand slice session!
slice ANSWERS
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How do you beat someone who is clearly inferior but?

How do you beat someone who is clearly inferior but just keeps the ball in play?

Archived User Coach

could someone please advise what is best a one handed?

could someone please advise what is best a one handed backhand or 2 handed. I have a 14 year old girl who has amazing power who has been playing tennis for just over a yr is still doubting the one handed backhand lacks confidence in using it in matches . i would like to know should we continue to persuade her one handed is best but need to explain why. thankyou

Archived User Coach

HOW DO YOU DO A SPIN SERVE

HOW DO YOU DO A SPIN SERVE

Archived User Coach

how can i make a 4 week plan for preparation for tennis?

how can i make a 4 week plan for preparation for tennis tournament i'll play

Archived User Coach

Hi Guys, How best to teach a return of serve

Hi Guys, Just wondering if anyone has a suggestion on how to teach a block return from serve and a slice return from serve to 13y.o juniors who are playing against big servers Cheers

Ciaran Cahill Coach, Ireland

How to teach single and double-handed backhands to U10s?

teaching single and doublehanded backhands to under 10s

Archived User Coach

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