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Tennis: forehand slice

forehand slice DRILLS
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Defensive slice off own side

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.

Forehand Drills

Deuce forehand down the line

The coach serves wide from the deuce side, and the player hits forehand slice return down the line.

Forehand Drills

Different spins

The coach feeds balls to the deuce side, whilst the player alternates forehand topspin and forehand slice in cross court direction.

Forehand Drills

Have unpredictable forehand

Coach feeds balls to the forehand side. Player alternates hitting forehand topspin cross-court and forehand slice cross-court.

Forehand Drills

Make response difficult and predictable

The coach stands on the service line. The player returns from deuce side and the coach serves wide. The player hits forehand slice return deep down the line.

Forehand Drills

Respond to the lob with control

The player stands on the baseline, and the coach is at the net. The player feeds high ball to the coach. The coach hits overhead to the deuce side, whilst the player hits forehand slice lob cross court.

Forehand Drills

Return with less power and more control

The coach stands on the service line and serves to the T from Ad side. The player executes forehand slice return to Ad side.

Forehand Drills

Returning a smash

Player feeds an easy lob to the coach, who then returns with a smash shot. The player has to return the coach's shot using a defensive lob and then a forehand slice - note the coach should hold his/her racquet obove his/her head after the smash to give the player a target to aim over. Repeat the drill, but the coach should hit the smash so the player has to return it using a backhand defensive shot and then a slice.

Forehand & Backhand Drill

Slice against slice

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

Forehand Drills

Touch rally cross-court

Player and coach stay close to the net on the deuce sides. Player and coach rally together using only controlled forehand slices.

Coordination / Fun Games

Tennis: Attacking forehand sli...

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

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

Slice against slice Forehand D...

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

General

Deuce mini killer Forehand Dri...

The coach stands at the net on the deuce side and the player starts from the service line. The coach moves the player around with volleys, and the player hits only slices back to the coach.

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 the lob with contro...

The player stands on the baseline, and the coach is at the net. The player feeds high ball to the coach. The coach hits overhead to the deuce side, whilst the player hits forehand slice lob cross court.

General

Slice On The Rise Forehand & B...

Player stands on the baselineCoach feeds high topspin ball to the backhand sidePlayer hits backhand slice on the rise

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

Control the Point from the Cen...

Cones are set up in deuce and ad corners.Coach feeds balls to the center of the court.Player alternates hitting deep forehands to deuce and ad side from the center.

General

Returning a smash Forehand & B...

Player feeds an easy lob to the coach, who then returns with a smash shot. The player has to return the coach's shot using a defensive lob and then a forehand slice - note the coach should hold his/her racquet obove his/her head after the smash to give the player a target to aim over. Repeat the drill, but the coach should hit the smash so the player has to return it using a backhand defensive shot and then a slice.

General

Saving the lob with slice Back...

The coach feeds the ball to the forehand side, and the player responds with forehand volley. The coach hits the ball with lob to the backhand side, and the player runs back and save the point with backhand slice.

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

Random Forehand Forehand & Bac...

Coach feeds balls to the ad sidePlayer executes regular backhand strokesFrom time to time, coach feeds one ball to the deuce sidePlayer adjusts the grip and hits regular forehand

General

Side to side safe defense retu...

Hitting on the run is a skill that has to be practiced often because players must learn to control the distance between the body and the ball and how to hit the shot while still moving. In this exercise, the player aims for the middle of the court because it is the best defensive tactical return. This is because there is more court to aim for and the middle of the net is lower. Players should also know that hitting on the run forces them to lose time as they stop, change direction and recover. So tell your players to aim high over the net to gain additional recovery time while the ball is in the air.

General

Tennis: Low ball backhand - Sp...

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

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

Baseline scenario Forehand & B...

The coach feeds fast ball to deuce side. The player runs and hits deep forehand cross-court. The coach immediately feeds drop shot to ad side, the player then sprints and hits deep backhand slice down the line.

General

Backhand Slice Return - Get Ba...

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

Tennis: Forehand Inside Out (L...

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

General

Prepare for the consistency Fo...

2 players rally together in cross court direction. Player A hits all the balls aggressively. Player B stays deeply behind the baseline and hits high topspin consistent shots.Drill specifications:5-10 min per sideWith more players on the court coach can use the same approach as in the previous drill. Switching after few shots or after a particular time is a good way to keep players motivated as also to give them a time to improve other skills (e.g physical abilities).

General

Tennis: Backhand slice - Game ...

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

Deuce Wide And Forehand Down L...

Player serves from the deuce side and delivers a wide serve, in between the cones. The coach will then hit the ball back cross-court, where the player finishes with a slice down the line, aiming between the cones.This is a progression of the Deuce Wide And Forehand Down Line drill above.

General

Tennis: Backhand Slice - Sport...

Good warm up to use between players. Stand close to the net on opposite sides and backhand slice the ball to each other.

General

Drop The Volley Rally Drills -...

Set up as shown with three cones close to the net, with these cones being the player's target on their second shot. Player and coach stand at the net, and the coach feeds the ball to the forehand side.The Player hits a forehand volley to the coach who then hits it back to the backhand side, where the player must react quickly to backhand drop volley the ball cross-court, aiming to get the ball in between the three cones.

General

Backhand slice - change of pac...

Players start the drill by rallying cross-court from the backhand corners.Player 1 can choose to slice a backhand down the line at any time and the point is then live. Player 1 can choose to hit the slice as an approach, or simply as a change of direction/pace in the rally.Players can play first to 7 points before player 2 has a turn at being the slicing player.If a mistake is made before the slice has been hit, it is not counted and the score remains the same.Players can find the slice down the line a difficult shot to play, particularly if they are used to using 2 hands on their backhand. They should be reminded to turn their shoulders well and follow the line of the ball with their feet and body.Players should make sure that they are in a good position to play the down the line shot, and be aware that in doing so they will be changing the pace, spin, direction, and flight path of the ball.Take care on it!

General

Tennis: Underspin doesn't mean...

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

Tennis: Backhand slice - Sport...

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)

General

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forehand slice SESSIONS
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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.

Different Use of the Slice

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!

Forehand Slice in Modern Tennis

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

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