There’s nothing quite like watching a hard-hit ball land at your feet, then seeing your slice skid through the court like it has somewhere important to be. A good backhand slice can turn defense into attack, buy you time, and make your opponent bend for a ball they’d much rather hit at waist height. But “just chop down on it” is how slices float long, sit up, or sail straight into the net. The secret is a controlled racket face, a well-timed contact point, and a follow-through that sends the ball forward—not a wild swipe at it.
Whether you’re trying to stay in a rally, change the pace, or bring an opponent forward, let’s build a low, dependable slice one piece at a time.
What Makes a Slice Stay Low?
A backhand slice is hit with a slightly open racket face and a high-to-low swing path. That brushing action puts backspin on the ball. The open face helps it clear the net, while the forward part of the swing gives it enough pace to travel through the court. The goal is not to scoop the ball upward or hack down at it. It’s to combine a modest amount of lift with a firm, forward-moving strike.
Think of the racket traveling through the ball on a shallow diagonal: down enough to create slice, forward enough to keep the shot from floating. If the racket face points too far upward, the ball tends to climb and land short or long. If the face is too closed, or the swing cuts down too steeply, you’ll catch the net or produce a ball with little useful depth.
For a right-handed player, the backhand slice is hit on the left side of the body; left-handed players should reverse the directions throughout this guide. The basic principles are the same on both sides.
Start with Your Grip and Preparation
Choose a grip that lets the racket face work
The continental grip is a reliable starting point for most players. It’s the same general grip many players use for volleys and serves. On a right-handed racket, you’ll often hear it described as placing the base knuckle of your index finger around bevel two. Don’t worry if your grip feels slightly different at first; hand size and racket shape vary. What matters is that the grip lets you present the strings slightly open without forcing your wrist into an uncomfortable position.
If you use an extreme forehand grip, the slice can feel awkward because you may have to twist your hand to get the racket face into a useful position. Try moving gradually toward continental rather than making a major grip change halfway through a match.
Turn before the ball gets close
As soon as you recognize a backhand, turn your shoulders and take the racket back. Your non-hitting hand can help support the throat of the racket during preparation, then extend away from your body for balance as you swing. That free hand is useful: it helps you turn, steadies your posture, and discourages the hitting shoulder from flying open too early.
Keep your preparation compact, especially when the ball is fast or low. A huge backswing is hard to control under pressure. You want time to set your racket, not a dramatic wind-up.
Racket-Face Angle: Open, Not Skyward
Racket-face angle is one of the biggest controls on slice height. At contact, the strings should be slightly open—tilted upward enough to lift the ball over the net, but not so open that the racket looks like a tray. There is no single angle that works for every ball. A low ball generally needs a little more help upward than a high ball, while a higher contact point gives you more room to drive through.
Here’s a useful feel: keep the wrist firm and let the forearm and shoulder carry the racket through contact. The wrist doesn’t need to be rigid as a board, but avoid flicking it upward to “save” the shot. A last-second wrist lift often changes the face angle unpredictably and sends the ball sailing.
Also, separate the racket’s face angle from its swing path. The face can be slightly open while the racket travels forward and downward. That combination is what lets you create a penetrating slice. Opening the face more is not a substitute for swinging through the ball.
Contact Point: In Front, Balanced, and Within Reach
Make contact in front of your body, usually a little to the side of your hitting shoulder. “In front” doesn’t mean reaching so far that your arm is locked out. It means meeting the ball early enough that you can guide it toward your target instead of letting it drift beside or behind you.
Your ideal contact height depends on the incoming ball. If it’s below your knees, bend your legs and lower your body rather than folding sharply at the waist. If it’s around waist height, you can stand taller and drive more comfortably. Across both situations, keep your eyes on the ball and your chest reasonably stable. A sudden lean or backward fall makes it much harder to keep the racket face consistent.
Spacing matters just as much as timing. If the ball crowds your body, you’ll jam the swing and may open the face to lift it. If it’s too far away, you’ll reach and lose control. Use small adjustment steps to create a comfortable hitting window. Good slice contact should feel like you have room to swing, not like you’re poking at a ball you barely reached.
For a low ball, get down with your legs and keep the racket head above your hand during preparation. Then swing down and forward through the ball. The racket should not drop so far below it that you have to scoop upward at the last instant.
Follow-Through: Keep the Ball Moving Forward
After contact, let the racket continue forward and slightly across your body, with the strings still relatively stable. The finish may be low or around waist height, depending on the ball’s height, your swing, and the shot you want. Don’t force every slice into one identical pose. Focus on a smooth path and balanced finish.
A helpful image is brushing under and through the back of the ball, then letting the racket travel toward the target. If you stop the racket at contact, the ball may float or fall short. If you make a huge, fast cut across your body, you may pull the shot wide. The finish should look calm and connected to the swing—not like a separate flourish.
Your body position helps too. Step into the shot when you have time, using a comfortable stance that lets you stay balanced. On a rushed defensive slice, you may be stretched or moving backward, and that’s fine: prioritize a stable racket face and enough height to clear the net. The best players don’t try to hit every slice like an attacking approach shot.
Three Common Slice Problems—and Their Fixes
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The ball floats long. The racket face may be too open, or you may be lifting your hand through contact. Keep the face a little more neutral, bend your legs on low balls, and feel the racket travel forward instead of scooping upward.
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The ball hits the net. You might be cutting down too steeply, contacting late, or trying to keep the face excessively closed. Meet the ball farther in front and allow enough opening in the face to give it safe net clearance.
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The slice sits up. You may be slowing down at contact or brushing mostly downward without sending the racket forward. Keep a steady swing through the ball and aim for depth before trying to make the shot extra short or extra low.
One more important point: a low slice is not always the best slice. If you’re stretched wide and off balance, trying to skim the net can be a risky choice. Give yourself a little more net clearance and aim deep. Control first; cleverness second.
Drills to Build a Reliable Low Slice
1. Shadow swings with a finish check
Without a ball, make 10 slow backhand-slice swings. Turn your shoulders, set the racket face slightly open, and rehearse contact in front. Finish balanced with the racket traveling forward. If your wrist is flipping or your body is falling backward, slow down and reset.
2. Short-court slice rally
Stand near the service line with a partner and rally using slice backhands. Start with comfortable feeds around waist height, then gradually lower the feeds. Aim for a smooth, skidding ball that lands safely in the service box. The short distance makes it easier to notice whether the face is too open or your swing is too steep.
3. Low-feed control drill
Ask a partner to feed balls just below knee height to your backhand. Your first goal is simply to clear the net and land the ball deep. Once you can do that consistently, choose a target zone down the middle or crosscourt. This drill builds the leg bend and contact timing that low slices demand.
4. Rally-to-slice transition
Rally from the baseline with topspin or flat shots, then use a slice on a called ball. This is closer to match play than hitting slice after slice from a stationary position. You’ll practice changing your grip, preparing early, and choosing the right moment without losing your balance.
Keep track of quality, not just makes. A useful slice lands deep enough to keep your opponent from attacking, clears the net with margin, and stays low after the bounce. Ten controlled balls are better practice than 30 rushed chops.
When to Use the Slice in a Match
The slice is especially useful when you’re pulled wide, facing a high-bouncing ball, or trying to change the rhythm of a baseline exchange. It can also help you approach the net, but the approach slice needs depth and direction: a short, floating ball gives your opponent time to pass you.
Watch how varied players such as Roger Federer and Steffi Graf used the backhand slice as more than a defensive escape. At its best, the shot changes height and pace, keeps the ball low, and invites an opponent to hit up from an uncomfortable position. You don’t need to copy their technique or style. Notice the tactical idea: the slice can make the next ball easier for you, even when it isn’t a winner itself.
Against an opponent who loves pace, a well-timed slice can break their rhythm. Against someone who struggles moving forward, a shorter slice may draw them in—but only use that option when you can control the depth and angle. If they’re already waiting inside the baseline, a short ball may be exactly what they want. Read the court, not just the shot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use a continental grip for every backhand slice?
It’s a strong starting point for most players because it makes an open racket face easier to manage. Some players adjust slightly for comfort or for a particular shot, but avoid a grip that forces you to twist your wrist awkwardly at contact.
How do I keep my slice from floating?
Check that the racket face isn’t too open, and make sure the racket travels forward as well as down. Contact the ball in front, keep your wrist steady, and avoid lifting your whole upper body through the shot.
Should I hit down on the ball?
Use a high-to-low swing path, but don’t think of the shot as a hard downward chop. A steep cut often sends the ball into the net or takes pace off it. Brush down while still moving the racket forward through contact.
Where should I aim when I’m using a defensive slice?
Aim with safe net clearance and good depth, often toward the middle of the court. A deep, neutral slice gives you time to recover and reduces the angles your opponent can use. Save tight angles and short slices for situations where you’re balanced and see a clear opportunity.
Final Thoughts
A low, controlled slice is built from three dependable pieces: a slightly open racket face, contact in front of a balanced body, and a follow-through that keeps moving forward. Don’t chase a dramatic chop or try to make every ball skim inches above the net. Start with a comfortable grip, prepare early, bend for low contact, and practice sending the ball deep with steady spin.
Once that dependable slice is in place, you can start changing its depth and direction to suit the rally. Make the opponent deal with the bounce, stay ready for the next shot, and enjoy the moment when your quiet little backhand suddenly takes over the point.
