Meike Babel's channel is among the top 3 on UA-cam and is undoubtedly the funniest of all. I always learn something more in each of the videos and at the same time it's very easy to smile which is always good. Happy new year Meike !
Federer and Ash cut down on their slice only because the incoming ball is so heavy. When the ball comes slower you have to swing more through and with less “cut”.
Great tips on BH slice - can definitely relate to most of these - thinking I should really use this shot more than I do today- great weapon to mix things up…🎾🎾🎾
Nice video, will try these tips in my next hitting session. My slices go way high, so I got some stuff to work on. I heard you comment on it being important to have the correct grip, do please mention what is actually the correct grip when you say stuff like that, sometimes people are using the wrong grip and need a reminder on what is the correct one!
I checked my own footage, and I am definitely using my wrist too much. This may be the reason why my racquet position is a bit wobbly during contact, making the slice less controllable. It is as if I intuitively used my wrist when I started to learn, then overlaid my arm movements. Now, while my arm moves downwards and up, my wrist also gradually moves from flexion to full extension. Thanks for pointing out the wrist movement!
Great lesson. I am a big fan of all of your videos. One thing I noticed is that in the Federer clip, he does a dance step at the end where the left foot crosses behind the right foot. You did it once also. When do we do this step ? Also, I haven't checked, but can you do a video on stringing. I can't find a string I like and my racquet has a pingy sound, nothing like the pros. THanks.
It's called a carioca step and it helps to stay side ways. I have to be perfectly honest, I'm not the best when it comes to strings. I know the ones I like and that are good for my arm/ shoulder but it's become a science that I kind of avoid actually. But to get rid of that pingy sound try a vibration dampener. They do absolutely nothing to dampen the vibration but they do dampen the sound.
Great video. Agree with you Fed doesn’t have the best slice and his is a floater most of the time.Lopez and Wawrinka have great slice. Stefi graf was super and Stefen Edberg. I have developed a slice which is heavy and low and skids insteadcof floating - I use very successfully on the forehand of big hitters repeatedly which makes them overhit and wears them down and since its really close to the net so they have to volley up if they come to the net. An old school coach it late 80’s taught me that. If u are a singles player, slice is great but there is only one problem with good slice - if u develop it to be very effective, u will not use your topspin backhand as much which may affect your doubles game. Thats what I have experienced as I play like Barty using slice to construct point to finish with my lefty forehand with top spin. My friends always advise me to use more topspin backhand which I can hit but not use much as slice gives me better edge.
Hi coach Thank you for another great video. I had been playing tennis just for one yr so I always looking for drills to improve my game. Sometimes I get together with some friends but they don't like to do drills. They want to hit and hit. I believe in doing both to get better. What's your opinion? Thx
You have to do both. There should be a purpose to each shot. If you're "just" hitting pick one area of focus like depth of the shot, height over the net, that kind of thing.
Recently got tennis elbow, was shocked to get it again after I switched to a much more flexible racket and strings plus lower tension. I have been pain free since using this racket 4 years ago. Thats why I was so surprised, one cause can be my one hand backhand, dont get much hip action on topspin or slice, is it harder to get whole body involved when slicing ?
Ride a stationary bike, light jog to get the entire body warmer and then you can do a few light and careful yoga stretched like triangle for instance .
Until recently, I would hit all of my slices with a controlled motion with 3/4 speed because I wanted consistency. The ball would bounce, and with the backspin, sit up and be cannon fodder for a strong forehand. Then I discovered that when I want to hit aggressively, I have to increase speed and power which gives the ball more zip and skid when it bounces. Sure, I may lose a tad in consistency, but for me with a one handed backhand, the slice has become a reliable weapon that it never was before.
Vielen Dank für die Tipps, Meike! Hast du evtl. die eine oder andere Übung wie wir Slice-Bälle mit Länge und nicht zu hoch spielen? Ich spiele mit einem Anfänger und er kann entweder Stopps or hohe Slice-Bälle spielen, egal wie oft ich ihm die Technik für eine Slice-Rückhand zeige.
Das Beste ist, das immer selbst zu "erfühlen". Lass Deinen Spieler ein bisschen mehr experimentieren mit der Oeffnung der Schlaegerflaeche. Lass ihn mal fast ganz schliessen und mehr nach vorne durchschwingen.
@@MeikeBabelTennis Vielen Dank. Das ist ein sehr guter Tipp. Ich neige leider dazu immer eine "optimale" Technik zu zeigen und lasse ihn nicht zu oft experimentieren.🤔
I do happen to have some side spin, mostly when I pick up a short and flat slice from my opponent. Or when I just want an odd ball. Having a flat take back can have another advantage, cause the opponent cannot see what you are about to do as early. Concealing your shots is way underestimated i.m.o.
Normally, players are taught to use the Continental grip for the backhand slice. However, I turn my wrist so that my knuckle is between 0 and 1 on the racket. This helps me close the racquet face almost completely-- and then allows me to drive the ball deep and low into the back-court. It has just enough backspin to retain control and prevent hitting the ball out. Another nuance is too hit the ball on the side so that it kicks away from your opponent. I love hitting sliced backhands. They can be very effective as a approach shot against week second serves. Btw, you are a great coach. I love your training videos.
It's funny, the surface is Har-Tru, but it also looks like it could be velour. Actually, the more I look at it, I am getting the impression this could indeed be some form of carpet? Because there doesn't seem to be anything on the lines, unlike you see on clay courts.
I was sure one of the 5 ‘most common errors’ was going to be ‘hitting too far in front’. I see it all the time. I disagree with the no wrist idea. I’d say we hit very similar slice backhands but teach it a bit differently. I teach a straighter elbow at take back, while drawing in the racket head toward body = loading wrist. The the release of the racket head is an amplifying effect. Allows a very penetrating ball flight on a fairly compact swing.
the forearm must rotate clockwise before contact to close the racquet face at contact. watching good slicers at full speed will not help you see this rotation. watch slow speed back hand slice videos.
1:43 - Swing path: scrape out the bowl (not high to low)
4:25 - On side swiping
5:25 - Don't use your wrist at all
Another terrific video. Shot break down explained so well.
Thank you!
Want more slice? Ash Barty's Backhand Slice Analysis: ua-cam.com/video/Q0Qh-h88Mzw/v-deo.html
Meike Babel's channel is among the top 3 on UA-cam and is undoubtedly the funniest of all.
I always learn something more in each of the videos and at the same time it's very easy to smile which is always good.
Happy new year Meike !
Happy New Year and thank you! I have a reputation to uphold as the stern German! I guess I failed :-))))
@@MeikeBabelTennis
😂
Very helpful! Thanks. Ezone is magical for the slice (and drop shots).
I like it for everything :-)
Precious advices here. Excellent lesson.
Thank you!
Excellent tips. Thank you so much Meike!
As usual...spot on...merci Meike 🙏 Bonne année 2023
Thank you and same to you!
Federer and Ash cut down on their slice only because the incoming ball is so heavy. When the ball comes slower you have to swing more through and with less “cut”.
Amazing! as always Coach 🙏 and Happy New Year
Happy New Year to you!
Great tips on BH slice - can definitely relate to most of these - thinking I should really use this shot more than I do today-
great weapon to
mix things up…🎾🎾🎾
Absolutely, changes the height, spin and pace of the ball, perfect to mess with your opponent :-)
Thanks Coach Meike - great instruction as always. Love the scraping out the bowl concept. Very helpful🎾👍🎾👍
Glad you like it!
Nice video, will try these tips in my next hitting session. My slices go way high, so I got some stuff to work on. I heard you comment on it being important to have the correct grip, do please mention what is actually the correct grip when you say stuff like that, sometimes people are using the wrong grip and need a reminder on what is the correct one!
Very good explanation 😊 top
Thank you!
Thank you for this great video 🙏 People no longer think my slice backhand is a lob.
Glad it was helpful!
hello, your videos are very good and helpful. which racket with which string and stringing tension do you play? Best regards Markus
The Yonex 98 Ezone and I use the Yonex Rexis Comfort. Usually I string at 48 lbs but that;s because I only teach these days
I checked my own footage, and I am definitely using my wrist too much. This may be the reason why my racquet position is a bit wobbly during contact, making the slice less controllable. It is as if I intuitively used my wrist when I started to learn, then overlaid my arm movements. Now, while my arm moves downwards and up, my wrist also gradually moves from flexion to full extension. Thanks for pointing out the wrist movement!
Glad the video helped and also that you were able to see it on tape.
Fed hacks on the ball...at 4.5 its great. But its just one of my options on how to hit the slice. I hit it like u on approach.
Great lesson. I am a big fan of all of your videos. One thing I noticed is that in the Federer clip, he does a dance step at the end where the left foot crosses behind the right foot. You did it once also. When do we do this step ? Also, I haven't checked, but can you do a video on stringing. I can't find a string I like and my racquet has a pingy sound, nothing like the pros. THanks.
It's called a carioca step and it helps to stay side ways. I have to be perfectly honest, I'm not the best when it comes to strings. I know the ones I like and that are good for my arm/ shoulder but it's become a science that I kind of avoid actually. But to get rid of that pingy sound try a vibration dampener. They do absolutely nothing to dampen the vibration but they do dampen the sound.
@@MeikeBabelTennis ok, thank you very much for getting back to me. Please Keep making videos, I am a big fan.
Great video. Agree with you Fed doesn’t have the best slice and his is a floater most of the time.Lopez and Wawrinka have great slice. Stefi graf was super and Stefen Edberg. I have developed a slice which is heavy and low and skids insteadcof floating - I use very successfully on the forehand of big hitters repeatedly which makes them overhit and wears them down and since its really close to the net so they have to volley up if they come to the net. An old
school coach it late 80’s taught me that.
If u are a singles player, slice is great but there is only one problem with good slice - if u develop it to be very effective, u will not use your topspin backhand as much which may affect your doubles game. Thats what I have experienced as I play like Barty using slice to construct point to finish with my lefty forehand with top spin. My friends always advise me to use more topspin backhand which I can hit but not use much as slice gives me better edge.
Hi coach
Thank you for another great video. I had been playing tennis just for one yr so I always looking for drills to improve my game. Sometimes I get together with some friends but they don't like to do drills. They want to hit and hit. I believe in doing both to get better. What's your opinion? Thx
You have to do both. There should be a purpose to each shot. If you're "just" hitting pick one area of focus like depth of the shot, height over the net, that kind of thing.
@@MeikeBabelTennis thank you for your advice and taking the time to answer my question
Recently got tennis elbow, was shocked to get it again after I switched to a much more flexible racket and strings plus lower tension. I have been pain free since using this racket 4 years ago. Thats why I was so surprised, one cause can be my one hand backhand, dont get much hip action on topspin or slice, is it harder to get whole body involved when slicing ?
Super!
Ride a stationary bike, light jog to get the entire body warmer and then you can do a few light and careful yoga stretched like triangle for instance .
Until recently, I would hit all of my slices with a controlled motion with 3/4 speed because I wanted consistency. The ball would bounce, and with the backspin, sit up and be cannon fodder for a strong forehand. Then I discovered that when I want to hit aggressively, I have to increase speed and power which gives the ball more zip and skid when it bounces. Sure, I may lose a tad in consistency, but for me with a one handed backhand, the slice has become a reliable weapon that it never was before.
Vielen Dank für die Tipps, Meike! Hast du evtl. die eine oder andere Übung wie wir Slice-Bälle mit Länge und nicht zu hoch spielen? Ich spiele mit einem Anfänger und er kann entweder Stopps or hohe Slice-Bälle spielen, egal wie oft ich ihm die Technik für eine Slice-Rückhand zeige.
Das Beste ist, das immer selbst zu "erfühlen". Lass Deinen Spieler ein bisschen mehr experimentieren mit der Oeffnung der Schlaegerflaeche. Lass ihn mal fast ganz schliessen und mehr nach vorne durchschwingen.
@@MeikeBabelTennis Vielen Dank. Das ist ein sehr guter Tipp. Ich neige leider dazu immer eine "optimale" Technik zu zeigen und lasse ihn nicht zu oft experimentieren.🤔
I do happen to have some side spin, mostly when I pick up a short and flat slice from my opponent. Or when I just want an odd ball.
Having a flat take back can have another advantage, cause the opponent cannot see what you are about to do as early. Concealing your shots is way underestimated i.m.o.
Normally, players are taught to use the Continental grip for the backhand slice. However, I turn my wrist so that my knuckle is between 0 and 1 on the racket. This helps me close the racquet face almost completely-- and then allows me to drive the ball deep and low into the back-court. It has just enough backspin to retain control and prevent hitting the ball out. Another nuance is too hit the ball on the side so that it kicks away from your opponent. I love hitting sliced backhands. They can be very effective as a approach shot against week second serves. Btw, you are a great coach. I love your training videos.
Thank you! That's almost more a slice drive, a good shot to have
Steffi Graf used the Eastern grip for her sliced backhand.
It's funny, the surface is Har-Tru, but it also looks like it could be velour. Actually, the more I look at it, I am getting the impression this could indeed be some form of carpet? Because there doesn't seem to be anything on the lines, unlike you see on clay courts.
It is Har-Tru and someone swept the court nicely and did the lines as well before I got the court :-)
"work on getting the right grip" which is...a continental or an eastern backhand?
I would stay in a continental.
@@MeikeBabelTennis thank you!
A bit confused. Ash was mentioned as what not to do but at then end there is a call out to check out her slice. What am I missing?
There are still many components of her slice that everyone can work on.
@@MeikeBabelTennis well I will have to check hers out.
I was sure one of the 5 ‘most common errors’ was going to be ‘hitting too far in front’. I see it all the time. I disagree with the no wrist idea. I’d say we hit very similar slice backhands but teach it a bit differently. I teach a straighter elbow at take back, while drawing in the racket head toward body = loading wrist. The the release of the racket head is an amplifying effect. Allows a very penetrating ball flight on a fairly compact swing.
the forearm must rotate clockwise before contact to close the racquet face at contact. watching good slicers at full speed will not help you see this rotation. watch slow speed back hand slice videos.
I am a hacker 😂