The Swing . Vic Vosen begins his swing for a slice serve by having his paddle come in under the ball , not so much from high to low as from underneath the ball — as if he is peeling an orange .
The Follow-Through . Vic Vosen stays down in his follow-through in order to maintain the ball on the paddle as long as possible . This imparts the maximum amount of spin and control . He is guiding the ball crosscourt into the backhand corner so that the ball will kick wide away from the opponent ’ s backhand . He maintains control by exaggerating his follow-through .
Step 3 : The Swing . This is where you peel the orange . You begin on the right side of the ball , then go under the ball as if you are carrying it , then go up across the left side of the ball to give it the kick so that it goes away from your opponent ’ s backhand . You need not swing hard . The slice is effective not because of its pace , but because of its spin . You can add pace by bending your knees and driving into the ball . Or you can simply carry the ball on the paddle longer and hit a short angle wide to the backhand side .
The court surface matters . The slicker the floor , the greater the slide . The trajectory is low and the ball skids . On a slow , hard court , the ball tends to sit up and the slice serve is not as effective . But it still serves as a good change-up . A low slice tends to cause your opponent to hit short or into the net . Be ready for the short return .
The wind matters . A slice is very handy in the wind because it slows the ball down and allows for the wind to work its magic . You still aim the ball , but the wind adds juju to the spin . Practice your serve under all different conditions . Find the tempo that suits each surface . There is no substitute for a well-placed deep slice . But then your opponent is back there waiting ; now is the time for the short kicker .
Step 4 : The Follow-Through . It is important because it fine-tunes the placement on the serve . The paddle finishes out in front in a good ready position . The appearance of the follow-through should be the same for a hard or a soft slice so that your opponents cannot read the spin or the depth of the serve too early .
If you serve a backhand serve , you can put a heavy slice on the ball that helps it carry wide to the forehand side , pulling your opponent off the court . And you can also hit a short slice that is difficult for the opponent to return and get back into good court position . The principles of hitting it are the same as hitting a forehand serve — peeling the orange — but it is a tighter peel due to your body structure . It is even more critical on this delivery to bend your knees and stay with the follow-through as long as possible .
So , avoid hacking the ball . You need soft hands . It is a caress , not a chop . You are a lover , not a butcher . You are peeling a kiwi fruit . Be sure to watch the ball throughout the shot . If you look up too soon , you will hit a short slice that sits up rather than digs in . Use more body and more legs rather than more arm and more shoulder . Be smooth . It is a smooth , rhythmic serve . It gives you time to think and to set up . You are the pitcher on the mound . You are in control . •
Alice Tym was ranked 13th in the world for tennis in the ‘ 60s . She ’ s been named USPTA Coach of the Year and is a USPTA Master Professional . As a 4.5 pickleball player , she won gold in Huntsman , NSGA Nationals , US Open , and USA Pickleball events around the country . Alice is an IPTPA member , SSIPA founding board member , Bainbridge Cup Originator and gold medalist in Spain , Italy , and Germany .
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 | MAGAZINE 27