đ Slice and Dice: Mastering the Forehand Slice in Pickleball
If you want to level up your return gameâand add some serious sauce to your shotsâthe forehand slice is your new best friend. Often underestimated and wildly underutilized, the forehand slice isnât just a defensive shot. When done right, itâs a strategic weapon that helps you stay in control, stay on offense, and keep your opponents guessing.
đŻ Why the Forehand Slice MattersâEspecially on Returns
Letâs start with this: The return of serve is one of the most important shots in the game. A well-executed slice return can do a few critical things:
- Buys you time to get to the kitchen
- Keeps the ball low and unattackable
- Makes it harder for your opponent to drive or speed up
- Forces pop-ups when they donât know how to handle spin
If youâre floating soft topspin returns or babying it over the net, youâre inviting your opponents to feast. Add slice, and suddenly theyâre dealing with backspin and depthâyour return becomes an offensive defensive shot.
âď¸ Key Components of the Forehand Slice
𦶠Footwork & Spacing: Create the Space You Need
Great slices donât happen when youâre jammed. Use clean footwork to create proper spacing between your body and the ball. You want to feel comfortable turning sideways into a closed stance, allowing your body to coil and load energy into the shot.
đ Turn, Slot, and Shoulder Drop
- Turn early and get into a closed stance with your chest turned sideways.
- Slot your paddle highâthink shoulder height or higher.
- Drop your opposite shoulder, especially if youâre hitting on the move. This creates the ideal angle to carve under the ball.
âď¸ Swing Through with a âNike Swooshâ
This is the fun part. Imagine drawing a Nike swoosh with your paddle. Youâre swinging down and across the ball, slicing under it to create controlled backspin. This shape is what keeps the ball low, nasty, and hard to attack.
𧲠Stay on the Ball: Hold That Contact
The best slicers âleave the ball on the paddleâ just a bit longer. That means clean contact and staying connected through the ballânot a quick flick. Think extension, not just quickness.
đśââď¸ Step Through the Shot & Attack
A forehand slice is not a bunt. Step into it, transfer your weight forward, and drive through the ball with purpose. If you treat the slice like a soft reset, itâll often float and pop upâprime speed-up material for your opponents. Be intentional and assertive.
đ When to Use It
âď¸ On return of serve
âď¸ When pulled wide on the forehand side
âď¸ As a change-up from drives
âď¸ To attack floaters with spin and depth
đĽ Final Thought
The slice isnât just a safety shotâitâs a smart shot. It can neutralize bangers, reset a point in your favor, or help you take time away from your opponents. And if you want to make people mutter under their breath and shake their heads mid-rally, few things are more satisfying than a low, skidding, impossible-to-attack slice.
So get slicingâand remember: spin is your friend.
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