AboutJoe Rill Expertise Can answer questions related to coaching and playing tennis including stroke production, skill evaluation, group drills, player evaluation, planning and record keeping, mental toughness, first aid and minor health issues, social aspects of club tennis, tennis rules and regulations, and tennis courtesy. I no longer desire to answer questions on "How to become a Pro."
Experience Forty years total playing experience including: 25 years tournament play, three year tennis club tennis director; former racket stringer; Graduate Vandermeer Tennis Univ I; Virginia HS League certified coach; Asst Tournament Director
Expert: Joe Rill Date: 5/25/2008 Subject: slice and backspin return
Question QUESTION: Hello
Help, My tennis partner relies (successfully so) on slice shots, I have a very hard time getting pace on returning those shots. I ending playing His game. I end up playing an almost defense game. I have learned to beat him sometimes. But I can rarely get the balling I have a strong forehand but hardly get to use it as everything coming over the net spins away from me?
Any thoughts or suggestions I would great appreciate.
Thanks
Troy
Also I am trying to develop a two handed backhand needless to say, It is extremly difficult for me to return his slice shots with it.
ANSWER: Hi Troy,
Because the slice uses underspin, it seems to float; it comes to you slower; and it skids when it hits the court. Therefore it bounces lower. It is not usually an offensive stroke unless it is coupled with the opponent’s being out of position. It is also a very accurate and safe shot. Here are some things you can do against it.
Hit the ball as deep as you can. This gives you the most time before the return gets back to you. Thus you have more time to get into position for your own return.
When the ball comes back short or slow, move forward and take it early forcing your opponent to rush his return. An added advantage is that the ball is higher for your two handed backhand. Try to emphasize your follow through by wrapping it around your head.
Come to the net as much as you can and volley the ball with sharp angles or deep to the opposite side of the court.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks,
Very helpful I managed to win to day two sets after a long tie breaker in the
first set. The last few months I have been working with a tennis coach. We
have been working on my two handed backhand and my forhand and we
changed the grip of my serve. I have been improving a great deal with this
coach. But it is when I went back to my tennis partner, I tried to implement all
my new tools and lost the first two outings. So today I Kind of had to go back
to my Street fighting so to speak. I don't feel good about no utilizing my new
skills but, but this player sends my all kinds of stuff over the net as I said the
SLICE the Short Shot, The big LOB. Its hard for me to get the pace on and that
is where I play better. Thanks again for your thoughts Its almost as if he gets
the slice to me first the moment goes his way and I can never get pace on the
ball. I will re-read your advice. GREAT
Troy
Answer Hi again Troy,
Sounds like your coach is improving your game. It’s a shame you are paying for advice that you are not able to use… lol
Remember that your “street fighting” strokes were based on muscle memory reinforced by hitting thousands of balls. It’s hard to ignore those habits. You have to decide what is more important: beating your partner on one day, or improving your game for the rest of your tennis career…
The two-hander will become a weapon for you if you practice it enough (ball machine, wall, pick up games, etc.). Once you get it perfected, your topspin shots will bounce so high that he will not be able to slice. Another secret to beating the guy you mentioned is pace. His junk shots are interfering with your ability to hit the ball like your pro taught you to. Other than hitting with pace, the way to beat him is either by running him or by hitting sharp angles that pull him off the court. There is a “secret 1-2 punch” that could get you a couple of quick points and mess with his morale like he seems to be doing with you. That is the drop shot to his back hand side followed by a deep lob to the other side of the court. After a couple of those, he will start playing inside the baseline and you can hit the ball deep to his feet. Sounds like you are having a lot of fun with the competition and really—Isn’t that the objective? Cheers. Joe
