The Pro Slice and Your Slice

The pro slice-necessary to deal with modern speed and spin?

What would it be like to try to hit slice backhands against pro level topspin? How would that affect your technique – not to mention your psychological state of mind?

In the first article in this series, we saw the phenomenal levels of underspin the top pros generate on their slice backhands, ranging up to over 5000rpm, and averaging around 3500rpm. That makes the slice the fastest spinning shot in the pro game. (Click Here.)

In the second article, we looked at how that spin is generated by breaking down the stroke into technical components. We saw the amazing wrap around backswings, the radically downward forward swings, the shoulder high contact points, and the seemingly abrubt, sideways direction change after contact with the across the body finishes. (Click Here.)

One of the open questions in teaching and playing is whether all those technical elements are really necessary in the pro game. Or is it possible, even in the modern game, to hit a flatter slice with a less radical swing pattern–more on the model of Jack Kramer or Ken Rosewall?

Giancarlo’s pro-style slice: ultra high wrap around backswing, radical downward…