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INSTRUCTION by ALICE TYM
HOW , WHEN , AND WHY TO SLICE THE BALL
Slicing the ball has many advantages because it helps you control the pace of the ball . Slowing the pace can give you time to get into better position . It can be defensive or offensive . Spin forces your opponent to calculate . The slice bounce stays lower , forcing your opponent to get up to the ball and to bend his knees more . You can slice your serve , your dink , your return … you have lots of choices .
First , a slice is not a chop . A chop is when the energy of your swing goes down . The ball is short and sits up . It is ineffective for pickleball except as a dramatic drop shot because it sits up and allows the opponent to come to the net behind a drive . When hitting a slice , your energy goes forward into the ball with a peeling motion .
When hitting a right-handed forehand , you are peeling an orange from the right , under , and up on the left side and out toward the opponent . If you are left-handed , you are peeling from the left , under , and up on the right side and out toward the opponent . You maintain contact with the ball as long as possible , and you drive your energy forward to keep the ball deep . It is a thrust forward .
Your backswing preparation starts higher than a topspin shot but should not be exaggerated . You are hitting through the ball more than you are hitting down on the ball . But you are driving in a downward motion as you peel the slice .
As you begin to feel the ball , you can control the “ heaviness ” of the slice by elevating your backswing and attacking the ball . You can work on angling the ball more with a sharp angle slice . Your main focus initially should be keeping the ball deep by following through with your whole body . Then begin “ chipping ” the ball with a shorter backswing to attack .
“ Chip and charge ” is a tennis return that works well in pickleball . Be ready on a return to take the ball early . Move forward and drive the ball with a heavy slice on your return . Charge to the non-volley zone ( NVZ ) line . Your opponent will now have to hit up to you . Be ready with your paddle in front for a volley . Your slice is effective in giving you a rising ball to hit .
If you are left-handed , you probably hit a slice backhand . It feels natural for many lefties , and they are able to chip the ball effectively with a short backswing . In pickleball , this often translates to “ quick hands ” when the lefty gets to the NVZ line . A lefty needs to keep in mind that when he wants to hit the ball deep , on a return for example , he must prepare early and exaggerate his follow-through . Otherwise , that backhand will be attackable .
When should you slice the ball ? A slice serve can be very effective . I realize that most of the pros now topspin their serves . They expend a great deal of energy on serves . The ball bounces and drives the opponent back . But the average player does not put enough topspin on the ball to do much more than having it sit up . It would be better to mix up your serves and include a well-placed slice serve for variation . Keeping the ball low is more important for the average player than hitting a short topspin .
Certainly , a slice return of serve is a shot both the pros and recreational players can use effectively . A slice allows you to move forward as you return the ball . The slice keeps the return low , forcing your opponent to hit up to you . Practice a drill that incorporates returns and first volleys . For example , Player A serves from the right side . Player B returns down the middle 2 feet to the left of the center tick using a heavy slice . Now Player A ’ s partner must take that heavy , deep slice and go where ? Player B and her partner are now at the NVZ line . The key is for Player B to hit that return deep . And , with a heavy slice .
When serving on the left side , a slice will carry the ball wide to the opponent ’ s backhand . Don ’ t overhit . Peel the orange wide as you carry the ball on your follow-through . You can attack a player who has a weak backhand and you can open up the center of the court this way . Placement over power matters in this shot . The slice keeps the ball low . If your opponent then stands wide on the next return , you can serve straight down the middle and expose her backhand on the next shot .
Another application for the slice is on a defensive lob . Get under the ball and throw it up there to buy time to get back into good position . Lift it with a slight peeling motion , only the peel is from low to high rather than
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