A good backhand slice can make a rally feel like it has hit a speed bump. The ball stays low, skids through the court, and suddenly your opponent has to bend, reach, or abandon the big swing they were planning. But there’s a catch: if you just chop down at the ball, your slice may float long or sit up like an invitation to attack. The reliable version is less “hack at it” and more “guide it”—with a dependable grip, a slightly open racket face, and a smooth swing that travels forward as well as down.
Whether you want to change the rhythm of a baseline rally, handle a high ball, or buy time to recover, a controlled slice is a wonderfully practical shot. Here’s how to build one, what the racket should feel like through contact, and how to fix the most common mistakes.
What a controlled backhand slice should do
A slice is a backspin shot. The racket brushes across the back of the ball so it rotates backward as it travels forward. That spin helps the ball stay low after the bounce, but spin alone doesn’t make a useful slice. You also need enough forward drive to send the ball deep or place it where you want it.
Think of the shot as a combination of lift, cut, and push. The racket moves from high to low, the strings meet the ball with a modestly open face, and the swing continues forward through the contact zone. The result should usually travel with a steady, penetrating flight—not pop straight up, and not dive into the net.
There are plenty of reasons to slice in a match. You might be stretched wide and need a safe, deep ball. You might want to keep a strong opponent from hitting comfortably at waist height. Or you might use a short slice to draw them forward before sending the next ball behind them. The shot is defensive when you’re in trouble and tactical when you choose the moment.
Choose a grip that lets the racket face work
For most players, the continental grip is the best starting point. Hold the racket as if you were shaking hands with it, then check that the base knuckle of your index finger rests near the upper-left bevel of the handle for a right-handed player. Left-handed players can mirror the position. The grip gives you room to present the strings slightly open and make a firm, stable contact.
If you use a very forehand-oriented grip, the racket face may want to close through contact. That can make a slice feel awkward and encourage you to flick the wrist to compensate. The continental grip lets the racket travel naturally through a high-to-low path without forcing the face shut.
Some experienced players prefer a grip shifted slightly toward an eastern backhand position, particularly for certain high contacts or personal style. But there’s no need to make grip changes the first thing you experiment with. Start with continental, learn to control the face, and adjust only if a coach or consistent court testing gives you a clear reason.
Keep the grip firm—but not clenched
Imagine your grip pressure on a scale from one to ten. For the slice, aim around a four or five while preparing, then firm it slightly as you meet the ball. A locked, tense hand makes it harder to feel the strings and can leave your forearm doing far too much work. A grip that’s too loose, on the other hand, allows the racket face to wobble on contact.
The wrist should feel stable rather than rigidly forced into a pose. Don’t try to generate the slice by snapping or rolling your wrist. Build the shot with your shoulder, arm, and body position, while your hand keeps the racket face under control.
Set the racket face slightly open
At contact, the racket face should be open enough to create backspin, but not so open that it points toward the sky. For many players, that means the strings are tilted modestly upward—only a little more open than they would be for a flat drive. The exact angle depends on the incoming ball, your swing speed, and the shot you’re trying to play.
Here’s a helpful picture: the racket face is a tray, but you’re sliding the tray forward, not lifting it toward the ceiling. If the face is too open and the swing is mostly downward, the ball floats. If the face is too closed, the slice can skid into the net or come off with little backspin.
Ball height matters. On a low ball, you may need a slightly more open face and a lower contact point to get the ball safely over the net. On a high ball, you can make a more level, forward swing and keep the face closer to neutral. Avoid trying to use one exact racket angle for every situation.
Use a high-to-low swing that still moves forward
The classic slice swing travels from high to low, but “high to low” is only part of the instruction. If you swing down too steeply, you cut under the ball and lose depth. A controlled slice also travels forward through contact, sending the ball toward your target while the strings brush down its back.
Start with the racket head above and behind the ball. As you swing, let the racket travel down and forward on a smooth diagonal. The downward component creates backspin; the forward component supplies pace and depth. A useful practice cue is: “brush down, drive through.” Don’t turn that into a violent strike. The racket should accelerate smoothly and finish balanced.
For a basic backhand slice, turn your shoulders so your side faces the net and bring the racket back with the hitting arm supported by the opposite hand. Step into the shot when the ball allows it. As you swing, let your shoulders and hitting arm move together rather than trying to manufacture the whole shot with your wrist.
Meet the ball in front of your body
Contact is usually in front of your hitting hip, with your arm comfortably extended—not locked straight and not jammed against your ribs. If you let the ball drift too far behind you, the face is harder to control and your swing path tends to become a late, desperate chop.
For a right-hander, a comfortable contact is generally ahead of the body and on the backhand side. Left-handers mirror the position. Keep your head steady through contact and watch the ball meet the strings. That sounds simple, but it stops a lot of last-second lifting, pulling, and reaching.
Your non-hitting hand has an important job. During the preparation, use it to help support the racket and maintain balance. As you swing, let that arm move back naturally. It acts as a counterbalance, helping your shoulders stay organized instead of spinning open too soon.
Build the shot in three stages
1. Rehearse the shape without a ball
Stand in your ready position and turn your shoulders. Bring the racket up, then make a slow high-to-low-and-forward swing. Freeze at the imagined contact point. Check that the racket face is modestly open, your contact point is in front, and your body is balanced. Repeat until the movement feels smooth rather than theatrical.
2. Feed short balls and focus on clean contact
Have a partner feed gentle balls, or drop a ball in front of yourself and slice it over the net. Start from close to the net so you can focus on controlling the racket face. Aim for a comfortable arc and a landing well inside the baseline. Don’t chase maximum spin or speed yet.
3. Add depth and direction
Move back to the baseline and aim deep through the middle of the court. A deep middle slice is a useful first target because it gives you margin over the net and reduces the angles your opponent can create. Once you can repeat that ball, practise crosscourt and down the line. Change one thing at a time: target, depth, or pace.
When you’re training, judge the shot by more than whether it lands in. Notice whether it clears the net safely, stays low after the bounce, and gives you time to recover. A slice that lands deep and stays low is often more valuable than a flashy, heavily spinning ball that floats short.
Common slice problems—and how to fix them
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The ball floats long. Your racket face may be too open, or your swing may be mostly downward with no forward drive. Keep the face a little more neutral and send the racket toward the target through contact.
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The ball hits the net. Check whether the face is too closed, contact is late, or the swing is too steep. Try meeting the ball farther in front and making a smoother forward motion.
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The ball sits up. You may be lifting the racket through the ball rather than brushing down its back, or you may be making contact too far behind you. Keep the swing’s downward component and find a more forward contact point.
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The shot has spin but no depth. You might be cutting under the ball without driving through it. Practise a longer follow-through toward your target and use your shoulder and arm to carry the racket forward.
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The racket face changes at contact. You may be squeezing, flicking the wrist, or using a grip that makes the face difficult to control. Return to a continental grip, reduce tension, and slow the feed until you can repeat a stable contact.
Use the slice with a purpose
The backhand slice is especially useful when you need to change the height and pace of a rally. Against a player who loves driving the ball at shoulder height, a low slice can force them to bend and hit from an uncomfortable position. It can also help you reset a point when you’re pulled wide: aim high enough to clear the net, send the ball deep, and use the extra time to recover.
Players such as Roger Federer and Ash Barty have shown how a slice can be more than a defensive escape. A well-placed slice can change the rally’s rhythm, invite an opponent forward, or set up a more aggressive next shot. The lesson isn’t to copy a professional’s exact technique—elite players have individual timing and movement patterns. It’s to notice how purposefully they vary depth, direction, and height.
Be selective. A short slice can be excellent if your opponent is deep and you’re ready to handle the reply. But if they’re already inside the court, a soft, short ball may give them an easy attack. When you’re under pressure, depth is usually the safer choice. When you’ve earned time and space, you can use angle or disguise.
After the shot, recover toward a position that makes sense for the reply. Don’t admire the spin. If you’ve hit a deep slice, be ready for a neutral rally ball; if you’ve played short, expect your opponent to move forward and consider a pass or lob. Good slice technique includes what you do after contact, not just the swing itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best grip for a backhand slice?
The continental grip is a reliable starting point for most players. It makes it easier to present a slightly open racket face and swing down and forward. Keep your hand relaxed but stable, and avoid changing grips repeatedly while learning the basic contact.
Should the racket face be open on a slice?
Yes, but only modestly. A slightly open face helps the ball clear the net and creates backspin. If it points too far upward, the ball is likely to float; if it is too closed, the ball may dive into the net. Adjust the face for the ball’s height and the shot you want.
Is the backhand slice supposed to be a chopping motion?
It has a high-to-low component, but it should not be a purely downward chop. The racket also needs to move forward through contact. Think “brush down, drive through” to combine backspin with useful depth.
How can I keep my slice from floating?
First, check that your racket face is not too open. Then make sure your swing travels toward your target instead of only cutting downward. Practise slow feeds, contact the ball in front, and aim deep through the middle before adding more angle or spin.
Final Thoughts
A controlled backhand slice comes down to three things you can practise: a continental grip, a racket face that’s only slightly open, and a smooth swing that travels high to low while continuing forward. Keep your wrist stable, meet the ball in front, and resist the urge to chop at it. Start with a deep, dependable slice; once you can repeat that, use height, angle, and shorter placement to make your opponent move. The shot may look understated, but when it stays low and lands where you mean it to, it can completely change the feel of a point.
