[ Irina Tereschenko on the Slice Return ]
THE SLICE RETURN
The ability to change the pace and spin of the ball is one of the essential characteristics of a well-rounded/
all-court pickleball player. Adding slice to your arsenal will allow you to effectively mix up the rhythm of
the point and, hopefully, take away your opponent’s strike zone. Therefore, a slice approach/return of
serve becomes one of the ways to put pressure on the passer, forcing him or her to lift the ball up or use
a slow dink—a good strategy against a power player or a tall player. The photo progression is an example of how to
maintain balance and control of the slice, while gaining forward momentum to the net.
LINE UP
First reaction after the split step
is turning your shoulders in the
direction of the incoming ball and
establishing your weight on the
outside leg. This helps judge the
distance to the ball and not run
into it. I use my non-dominant
hand to support the paddle before
the shot on the backhand. Grip is
continental on the dominant hand.
STEP IN
Next, I step in to start transferring
my weight forward and take a step
toward the ball, while maintaining
a low center of gravity. My paddle is
back, above my wrist and the palm
is facing the court on the forehand
(back of my hand is facing the court
on my backhand). This is a first
checkpoint in the swing—from here
I can stay fluid through the motion
and my paddle is lined up to put
massive backspin on the ball.
BACKHAND
FOREHAND
CONTACT POINT
Immediately prior to the contact
point, my paddle is slightly open
and even with the wrist. I am simply
letting my arm swing from high to
low and away from my body—the
bottom edge of my paddle controls
the backspin. Avoid flicking the
wrist/changing the angle of the
paddle to maintain maximum
control of the shot.
36 TO SUBSCRIBE, CALL 888.308.3720 OR GO TO THEPICKLEBALLMAG.COM