Athletics: Backhand slice

Can your players backhand slice like the Williams sisters? Find out with this defensive backhand slice session!

Coach feeds live ball to Player who backhand returns

The coach then lays a cross court for the player who hits the ball at a target close to the baseline

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!

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.

Coach is stationed at position 2 while players start off forehand alley corner moves and executes first shot near middle baseline and second shot mid-court short ball.