How to Return a Forehand Slice in Tennis
The forehand slice is a powerful shot in tennis, used to send the ball deep into the court, or to send it with spin and make it difficult for the opponent to handle. The slice can be used to create angles or keep your opponent off the court. But what do you do when you’re faced with a forehand slice? How do you return it?
Know Your Opponent
The first step to returning a forehand slice is to get to know your opponent. Is your opponent an aggressive player, who likes to come to the net after hitting a slice? Or is your opponent more of a defensive player, who likes to stay back and use the slice as a defensive shot? Knowing your opponent’s tendencies will help you decide how to return their forehand slice.
Get Prepared
Once you know your opponent’s tendencies, it’s time to prepare for the return. If you’re playing an aggressive opponent, you’ll want to get into position early and be ready to hit your return quickly. If you’re playing a defensive opponent, you may want to wait until they hit their slice before getting into position.
Choose the Right Grip
When returning a forehand slice, it’s important to have the right grip. The most popular grip for returning a slice is the semi-western grip. This grip allows you to have more control over the ball, allowing you to place your return exactly where you want it. You can also use the eastern forehand grip, which is great for hitting with topspin.
Hit with a Flat Return
When returning a forehand slice, you’ll want to hit a flat return. A flat return is the most effective way to return a slice, because it takes away the spin and sends the ball back deep into the court. You’ll want to keep your strokes short and compact and focus on keeping the ball low and deep.
Hit with a Topspin Return
If your opponent is playing defensively, you may want to hit a topspin return. Hitting a topspin return will make it more difficult for your opponent to handle, as the ball will move quickly off the court. You’ll want to make sure to hit the ball with a high follow-through, and focus on getting the ball over the net and deep into the court.
Hit a Drop Shot Return
If your opponent is playing aggressively, you may want to hit a drop shot return. A drop shot return is a great way to change the pace of the game and keep your opponent off-balance. You’ll want to focus on hitting the ball softly and getting it just over the net. You can also use a drop shot return to draw your opponent to the net, opening up the court for a passing shot.
Hit an Angle Return
An angle return is a great way to keep your opponent on their toes. An angle return is when you hit the ball at an angle, forcing your opponent to move to their side and open up the court. You’ll want to focus on hitting the ball with pace and accuracy, and getting it just over the net.
Hit a Defensive Return
If you’re not feeling confident in your ability to hit a return, you can always hit a defensive return. A defensive return is when you hit the ball back with a short, low trajectory, making it difficult for your opponent to attack it. You’ll want to focus on getting the ball back over the net and deep into the court.
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to get better at returning a forehand slice is to practice. You can practice your returns on the court or at home with a wall or a machine. Make sure to practice with different types of returns, so that you can become comfortable with each one.
Conclusion
Returning a forehand slice is not easy, but with the right preparation and practice it can be done. The key is to know your opponent, get prepared, choose the right grip, and practice different types of returns. With the right technique and practice, you’ll be able to return a forehand slice with confidence.
Keywords: forehand slice, powerful shot, tennis, aggressive player, defensive player, semi-western grip, eastern forehand grip, flat return, topspin return, drop shot return, angle return, defensive return.